TOPIC: Denied by a Trusted Friend
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that you order my steps today through your word as I meditate on it.
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Mark 14:66-72
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
• Q 2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• Q 5: Is there any warning for me to heed?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 5th April 2023 MESSAGE
A strike by a trusted friend can be very painful. When storms of life overtake you, you can forget the crowd but expect the comfort and company of loved ones, wife, friends, and associates. But when even those flatly fail you, life becomes hopeless and meaningless. The Psalmist in Psalm 142:1-5 faced such a situation (read it).
We see here the self-assertive Peter cut down to size. To be fair to him, he did try to keep his earlier promise (v.29). He followed Jesus up to the high priest’s courtyard unlike other disciples who deserted him and fled right from the garden. However, human courage or good intentions alone cannot fight spiritual battles. Notice his final action in v.71. None of us should ever pretend that fear never grips us, or we cannot be tempted to deny our Lord at crucial moments.
Satan never gives notice about temptation, so we need to take God’s cautions very seriously, whether through a small inner voice, warnings by people around us, or prophetic revelation. Rather than resisting or engaging in argument, we should pray and cast ourselves on our Lord’s all-sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9). Even when we fail, we can follow Peter’s good example in v.72. His action was far better than that of Judas.
PRACTICE/WORD APPLICATION
So what? The leading horse is the one by which the followers set their pace (Yoruba adage). May we learn from the mistakes of others, so we do not repeat them.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, teach me always to know how weak I am and so lean on you for strength.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalms 9:9 ‐ 10
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Deuteronomy 24, 25, Acts 28, Psalms 39.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN Wed, 05-Apr-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
PREPARED FOR BATTLE
Therefore, take up the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm…
-Ephesians 6:13
THANK GOD FOR:
► Being our strong and mighty defender
► Providing all the armour we need to be able to withstand in the evil day.
PRAY FOR:
► Grace to deliberately prepare ourselves spiritually and physically to face the challenges we meet each day.
► Humility to store God’s word in our mind and to recollect them as needed.
► Infinite trust in God’s ability to help us stand firm and hold our position as we expect the salvation of our God.
PRAY AGAINST:
► Every spirit of fear and intimidation from the pit of hell.
► Forgetting that it is our God who arms us for battle, Hence the battle is His.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 5th April 2023. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.
Read Other Topics Here: Open Heavens, Daily Manna, Rhapsody of Realities, Our Daily Bread, Catholic Mass Readings, SU Daily Guide, Daily Fountain, NSPPD Live Prayers
