“Jesus replied, ‘A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with  Me. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed:

‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent.’” John 16:32-17:3 (NIV)

Dear Triune God, 

We were scattered because of our sin, driven away by fear of others and even our own selves. But now we answer to Your singular call on our ransomed life as you draw us near to Yourself. We hold fast to You, Who faced our judgment alone so that we escape eternal death– now we are never left alone! We are no longer scattered sheep but a gathered people who call upon the Name of the Living God– Our God! 

Jesus, as You glorified the Father in Your death, giving us life, let us now live fully in the freedom You purchased! Let us now glorify You by putting to death the things that once enslaved us. 

We pledge our daily life, by the power of Your Spirit in us: that our minds will not be used to think on former ways; our mouths will not be used to utter curses but life-giving blessing; our hands and feet will not be used for evil but for every good service; our bodies will not be used for unrighteousness but every good work You have planned for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

Oh, may You say of us, that we took full advantage of the freedom to be had in this new life You have gifted to us. May we hang upon Your every word and truly experience You and the glory of the eternal life we already possess! To God be the glory! Great things You have done so that we might do great things as well! 

In Jesus Name Forever

Photo credit: James Lee, https://unsplash.com/@picsbyjameslee