GRAB a COFFEE CUP and USE it as a prayer tool.
This week, the Gospel Reading is from MARK 10: 35-45. Jesus and his disciples are on their way up to Jerusalem. Jesus has just told them again that he will be betrayed and arrested and then killed. Here’s what happens next…
MARK 10: 35-45 NIV
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”james and john in the “Chosen”
What do you know about the “Sons of Thunder” James and John? How do they change from this power hungry pair to people who go and change the world?
Why don’t we like the thought of being last rather than first?
What makes it hard for us to deal with suffering?
What does Jesus say about how we are to live differently than the world’s leaders?
Pick a world leader or two and pray for them to be encouraged.
Pick a leader who “lords it over others” and pray for them to have a servant’s heart.
Jesus took the CUP for us!
GRAB a COFFEE CUP and USE it as a prayer tool.
JESUS took the CUP of SUFFERING for each of us. He takes the CUP for YOU!
As you hold your cup, consider:
What are the things causing you pain right now? Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, etc
What things hurt your soul?
What are the things you are grieving or need to grieve?
Talk to Jesus about all of these things….IMAGINE these things held in your cup. IMAGINE giving this cup of pain and suffering over to Jesus to hold for you!
JESUS thank you for taking the CUP OF SUFFERING FOR ME and holding all of these things!
NOW HOLD YOUR CUP AND PRAY AGAIN! Actually pause, hold your cup and pray for these people and places.
PRAY for people you know who are suffering today.
PRAY for People who are in pain because illness or disease.
PRAY for People who are hurting, dealing with depression or other mental health issues.
PRAY for People hurting because of broken relationships or loneliness.
PRAY for places in our world that are suffering due to natural disasters.
PRAY for places in our world like Afghanistan and Lebanon that are dealing with the suffering of unrest and war.
PRAY for People who are suffering as refugees or due to immigration status, and pray for those fleeing oppression.
PRAY for groups who are suffering due to discrimination due to race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
PRAY for the First Nations people who have suffered for so long due to colonialism, oppression, and discrimination.
Jesus, you took the CUP OF SUFFERING for all of these people and places.
You took the CUP for each of us and our pain and suffering too.
HOLD THIS SUFFERING. HOLD THIS PAIN for us and for all of these people and places.
We praise and thank you Jesus for taking this CUP. AMEN
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com
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