Hindsight
Over the next couple of months we're going to be experimenting with some changes to the prayer guide. For this sermon series "Hindsight: How Easter brings clarity" we're going to try connecting the prayer guide to the Sunday messages. If you didn't get a chance to participate in the service, you can view all of our messages on our website.
Opening Prayer
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture - Luke 9:57-62
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Following Jesus
It's very tempting to think that if Jesus showed up in the flesh today we would follow him wherever he went.
Chances are we would have all sorts of excuses.
Granted, they would be good excuses. We have work, kids, sports schedules, homes to take care of, homework to do, family to stay connected to, etc.
There are so many things that crowd out our ability to follow Jesus. Well, that's probably not correct. These things crowd out our desire to follow Jesus. Another way to say it is our excuses reveal where our desires for other things are actually stronger than our desire to follow Jesus. We wouldn't say it quite like that because we know it's the wrong answer.
But this revelation actually helps us follow Jesus. When we know what's holding us back from following Jesus, we can talk to God about it and open up that part of our life to God's transforming presence.
Reflection
Create some space to reflect on your life in God's presence. Sit with God and these questions to discern which of your desires and priorities are more important than Jesus and his Kingdom right now in your life.
Which of Margo's categories resonated with you?
- “I want to follow you, Jesus, but on my terms.”
- “I want to follow you, Jesus…but not just yet.”
- “I will follow you, Jesus, but first I gotta get my priorities in order.”
- All of the above
- Something else
Is there a specific part of your life that you see this excuse showing up as you try to follow Jesus?
Submit that desire and situation to God. Ask Him to transform your heart and give you wisdom and courage moving forward.
Prayers of Petition
God invites us to cast our cares on him because he cares for us. God is all-together good, already knows what we need, and is eager to give us good things. So we don’t need to pray out of anxiety or fear, but confident trust. Spend a few minutes making your requests known to God.
- For the church
- For others
- For myself
Closing Prayer
Lord make me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand.
To be loved, as to love.
For it's in giving that we receive
And it's in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it's in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen