(Mark 4:35-41) Prayer – O Jesus, calm the storms in my own life. Imagination: (Picture the fearful disciples in the boat, while Jesus calms the sea.) Context: Mark begins a series of 5 stories showing Jesus’ power. In this first calming of the sea (Jesus does it a second time …
(Mark 4:26-34) Prayer – O Jesus, plant your Kingdom on my heart. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching the crowds). Context: Jesus uses two parables concerning seeds to show the power of the Kingdom. In the first parable, the farmer does nothing but “go to bed”. In the second parable, the tiniest …
(Mark 4-21-25) Prayer – O Lord, put your light on the lampstand of my heart. Imagination: (Picture Jesus speaking to the disciples.) Context: This text is really four different sayings which Mark links by opposite words, like hidden/revealed and given/taken away. They are all teachings about the Kingdom. Gospel Text: …
(Mark 4:1-9) Prayer – O Jesus, let the seed of your word flourish within me. Imagination – (Picture Jesus surrounded by the crowd). Context: Mark’s gospel has very few parables and most deal with seeds (an image of the Kingdom). Parables are central to Jesus’ teaching and express the themes …
(Mark 4:10-20) Prayer – O Jesus, let my heart receive your word. Imagination- (Picture Jesus teaching the crowds). Context: In this part, Jesus explains the parable and a shift takes place. The original parable highlighted the great power of the seed. This explanation highlights the way each person receives the …
(Mark 3:31-35) Prayer – O Jesus, let me be a member of your family. Imagination: (Picture Jesus saying to you, “You are my brother and sister and mother.”) Context: Mark often begins a story, tells another story and then completes the first story. This story begins with the family squabble. …
(Mark 3:22-30) Prayer – O Jesus, by your power, free me from the Evil One. Imagination: (Picture Jesus in his controversy with the scribes.) Context: Mark presents another group of critics, the scribes. However, Jesus does not answer them. Jesus speaks to the crowds to get a fair hearing. He …
(Luke 4:14-21) Prayer – O Jesus, send the Spirit of the Father upon me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching in the synagogue.) Context: Having overcome Satan’s three temptations, Jesus begins his public ministry. Other gospels record this visit to the synagogue but Luke gives it preeminence. This is Jesus’ inauguration address, …
