Praying Mark
Every day (Mon-Fri) I send out a short prayer via WhatsApp to the members and attenders of Banstead Community Church based on a verse from The Big Read book for that month.
Here are 20 short prayers based on verses from the book of Mark
Mark 1:14-15
“After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:14-15)
We praise you our God for the good news of the gospel. The good news that the King has come to bring salvation from sin, to reconcile sinners to God by being that perfect sacrifice. We praise you that you have led us by your Spirit to repent of our sin and to trust in Jesus as our Saviour and Lord of our lives. Help us to share the good news that salvation is available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. Deliver us from fear and anything which would make us reluctant to speak of this wonderful rescue. And God, we pray for those in our number each Sunday who have not yet turned to Jesus, cause them today to repent and believe in the gospel. Open their eyes and hearts to respond in faith. Amen.
Mark 1:35
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.” (Mark 1:35)
Father, help us to prioritise prayer. We are so busy and often find ourselves distracted by all that is going on around us. We need your help to be disciplined in spending time with you alone, where we pour out our hearts to you, and cast all our burdens upon you. We praise you that we can do this only because Jesus has made a way for us to draw near to you and find help at your throne of grace. And Father, we pray that as we spend time with you, you would remind us of our identity as those who are dearly loved by you, redeemed by a sufficient Saviour, and filled with your Spirit who gives us the strength we need to do all that you call us to. Fill us by your Spirit with the power we need to live each day in ways that bring glory to you. Amen.
Mark 2:17
“When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)
Thank you Lord Jesus that you came for sinners like us. We confess that we are spiritually sick because of our sin and in need of you to be our doctor for none of us righteous in God’s sight and we all have fallen short of the glory of God. Thank you that by your wounds, the wounds of your death on the cross, we have been healed. And though a complete healing is coming on that day we see you face to face and become like you, we confess that there are many areas of our lives where your healing touch is needed because sin is still a reality in our lives. We pray that you would by your Spirit shine a light where we have gone astray and heals us by forgiving our sins and by helping us to change. Amen.
Mark 3:29
“But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” (Mark 3:29)
Father, we are alarmed to know that there is a sin so bad that Jesus says it cannot be forgiven. That sin which the Pharisees committed, when they blasphemed against the Holy Spirit by knowingly choosing to reject Jesus, after seeing all the evidence necessary to believe in Him with eyes fully enlightened to the truth. Father, though we worry that we might have committed this sin, we thank you that we can know for sure that we haven’t, if we have come to you, trusting in your Son and asking for forgiveness. So, we pray that we would not live in fear about accidentally blaspheming the Spirit. For those we know who are undecided about Jesus, help them to recognise that if they are not with Him they are against Him. And for those who have yet to repent and believe in Jesus, may they see that all sin is unforgivable if Christ has not rescued them, but also that if they come to Him, forgiveness is available for every sin and blasphemy. Amen.
Mark 4:18-19
“Others are like seed sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word, but the worries of this age, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-19)
Lord, we pray against the work of our adversary, the devil, who wants to use the worries of this age, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things to keep the seed of the gospel from taking root in people’s hearts. We pray that by your power you would help them to hear the Word and welcome it, so that it become fruitful. But Lord, we confess that the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things can stop your Word bearing more fruit in our lives. As we read your Word and hear it preached, may we not be distracted. Help us to receive it and respond to it. May your Word bear fruit in our lives for your glory and praise. Amen.
Mark 5:41-42
“Then he took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum” (which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, get up”). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk. (She was twelve years old.) At this they were utterly astounded.” (Mark 5:41-42)
Lord Jesus, we praise you that you are the resurrection and the life. You alone have the power to bring people who are dead back to life. You alone are able to give people a life free from death and mourning, crying and pain; a life free from sin’s penalty, power, and presence; a life in a new creation exploding with God’s blessing in a way not seen since Eden; and a life in the perfect, holy, pure presence of God. We praise you that you have shown that you can by raising people from the dead, and ultimately by your own resurrection. Strengthen our hope, we pray, that on the last day we will hear you call our name and bring us out of the grave to live with you in a new heavens and new earth forever. Amen.
Mark 6:4
“Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his household.” (Mark 6:4)
Our Father in heaven, you sent your Son into the Word to be the great prophet that was promised. We thank you that through Him you have made yourself known to us, otherwise we would be ignorant of who you are and how you feel about us. We thank you that He has spoken your Word to us so that we can know you personally and live a life that pleases you. Father, it grieves us, that just like the people of Nazareth did, people today do not recognise who Jesus is and reject Him and the words of eternal life that He speaks. In your mercy and by your Spirit, where there is doubt and unbelief give to them the gift of faith, and repentance where there is rejection of Him. Amen.
Mark 7:37
“They were extremely astonished and said, “He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7:37)
We praise you, God of salvation, for you have done everything well. By your grace you have opened our ears and our hearts to hear and understand the good news about Christ. By your grace you have loosened our tongues so we called on the name of Jesus and confessed Him as Lord. We are truly amazed that you would do this for us. We are so unworthy of the love you’ve shown to us because we have sinned against you. Thank you for saving us. We give you the glory Father, for planning our salvation. We give you the glory Jesus, for achieving our salvation. And we give you the glory Holy Spirit, for applying th salvation to us. Amen.
Mark 8:15
“Then he gave them strict orders: “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (Mark 8:15)
Lord, we pray that you would protect us from being led astray by teaching that is false and contrary to your Word. Lord, we don’t want to be duped into believing what is not true or what will cause us to drift away from what you have said. Keep us, we pray, from believing that our acceptance by you depends on our obedience to your law or the good works that we do. May we not get drawn into thinking that the Christian life is all about health and wealth and prosperity now. We know there are plenty of teachers who will say these kinds of things, so help us to examine what we hear by what Scriptures and to stay away from those whose words would cause us harm. Amen.
Mark 8:34
“Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)
Lord, we thank you that anyone can follow you if they would deny themselves and take up their cross. We thank you that you have helped us to do this and we ask that you would continue to help us by giving us the strength we need each day. We confess that we find it hard to follow the path Christ took of pleasing you and often we stumble and fall. Forgive us we pray and help us by the power of your Holy Spirit to love what Christ loves and hate what He hates, rather than what we would love and hate. Help us to seek and desire and want what He would seek and desire and want. Help us to think and feel and act how He would. Lord, saying “No” to self and our preferences is a battle, so give us the victory, and may we be willing to suffer any pain that comes our way as we do. Thank you that following Jesus is worth it, because the path He took leads to eternal glory. So, bring to mind this hope we have, when denying ourselves and taking up our cross to follow Christ feels too hard and we struggle to keep going. Amen.
Mark 9:2-3
“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves to be alone. He was transfigured in front of them, and his clothes became dazzling—extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them.” (Mark 9:2-3)
Lord Jesus, the sight of you in your glory, the glory you had in eternity past, that was veiled by human flesh, and will be on display for all to see when you return, is breathtaking. The glimpse we get of this through the eyes of your disciples at your transfiguration should cause us to fall down in awe and wonder, and worship you, because you are worthy of our adoration and our praise. It should also cause us to feel afraid because of your holiness, your righteousness, your justice and your wrath. What a relief then it is to know that we don’t need to be terrified of you because you came to save all who trust in you, and by faith we can hear you say to us, “Don’t be afraid.” Thank you that as you suffered then entered your glory, so we will too, as we become like you. As we wait, help us by your Spirit to fix our attention and affection on you, and as we do, may our character resemble yours more and more. Amen.
Mark 9:43
“And if your hand causes you to fall away, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell, the unquenchable fire.” (Mark 9:43)
God, give us a ruthlessness about our sin, especially those sins we are prone to commit in secret. Help us to be careful about what we use our hands to do, and our feet to go, and our eyes to look at. Help us to cut out of lives the things that feed our imaginations with immorality, and which put us in places where we might be tempted to compromise. Our Father, please would you forgive us, through Jesus, for every time we choose to stray from the path of righteousness you set before us. We pray that we would not be casual about our sin because we are aware of the effect this can have on others, and that our sin may even cause another believer to fall away. We pray, Holy Spirit, expose where there is sin that we need to turn from, and strengthen us to walk in step with you. Amen.
Mark 10:21
“Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
Jesus, we are so grateful for the way you look at us. We had rejected you, treated you shamefully by not loving or obeying you, but you still looked at us with kindness, with compassion, with love, and concern. May we not forget this look you gave to us, a look that led to us hearing how we could be saved and have eternal life, a look that invited us to come and live, a look that led to us turning to you in repentance and faith. Help us, by your Spirit, to show our gratitude to you for seeking and saving us by letting go of whatever it is that prevent us from following you wholeheartedly. Amen.
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, everything you pray and ask for—believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
Father, we thank you that when we ask for things in prayer that are according to your will revealed in your Word, we can be confident that those prayers will be answered. We pray that we would grow in our knowledge and understanding of your Word, so that we pray what you want us to. Yet, Father, you also tell us, your children, to bring everything to you in prayer, including the desires we have for situations and circumstances where we are not certain what your will for them is. For these, we pray that you would help us to trust that you will work in whatever way is best for your glory and our good. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Mark 12:9
“What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill the farmers and give the vineyard to others.” (Mark 12:9)
Our Lord and our God, you are being so patient by giving time for people to repent and put their trust in your Son. We pray for the lost people we know, who live in our community, who are in our families, that they would take seriously the warning your Word gives that a time is coming when your patience will run out and you will punish all who reject you. May they see Jesus as the only place where salvation from sin and death can be found. We plead with you, gracious God, to open their eyes and hearts by your Spirit, for we don’t want your patience to run out for them like it did Israel in the Old Testament when exile came, and it did for Israel’s leaders who had Jesus killed. Be pleased to save many more before the day your Son returns comes and your patience comes to an ends. Amen.
Mark 13:32-33
“Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son —but only the Father. “Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.” (Mark 13:32-33)
Lord Jesus, we know that you will return. Help us to be ready for this day when you return for your church. We know this could be any moment, so we ask for you, by your Spirit, to change our thoughts and desires and words and actions, that we are found doing what pleases you if you were to come today. We want you to come again. We pray, come, Lord Jesus, come, bring an end to sin and injustice, to suffering and death; bring a new heaven and a new earth where all sorrow and pain will be gone, and every tear wiped from our eyes. And with many people not ready for your coming, give us, we pray, a boldness and urgency in sharing the gospel that they might respond by turning to you before it is too late. Amen.
Mark 14:38
“Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)
Father, so often we find that though our spirits are willing, our bodies are weak. We confess that we are weak in our eyes and look at things we are not supposed to. We are weak in our ears and listen to what shouldn’t. We are weak in our mouths and say things that drag people down rather than build them up, and make promises that we can’t keep. We are weak in our hands and use them in ways that are not helpful. We are weak in our feet and go to places and into situations that will not encourage us to love Jesus more. Forgive us, we pray, on the basis of your Son’s death, and by His resurrection power give us the strength our bodies need to honour you in all we do. Amen.
Mark 15:15
“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.” (Mark 15:15)
Our God, like Barabbas we are guilty. Our sins make us notorious in your sight like Barabbas’ did in the eyes of Pilate. Our sins deserve to be punished by death like Barabbas’ did. And yet remarkably, instead of getting the wages of death and hell that we deserve for our sin, like Barabbas we can go free. We thank you that Jesus the innocent one willingly took our place and died the death that we who are Barabbas-like deserve, so that we can go free and be accepted by you. What grace you have shown to us. We, who are guilty, vile, and helpless, say “Hallelujah, what a Saviour!” Amen.
Mark 15:38
“Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:38)
Holy God, we confess that we are not worthy to come into your presence. By nature we do not have the clean hands and pure hearts that we need. We, along with all humankind, have sinned against you and fallen short of your glory. We are guilty and do not deserve your acceptance. We give you our thanks that the righteousness we require has come to us in your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and through faith in Him we can be holy in your sight, not because we are, but because He is. We praise you for the glorious sound that was heard as the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and which shows that because of Jesus’ death sinful people can come into your presence. As those who are forgiven and made you righteous in your sight, we pray that we would not neglect this privilege we have by boldly and frequently drawing near to you with our praise and petitions. Amen.
Mark 16:8
“They went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.“ (Mark 16:8)
Father, give us the certainty that your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died and was buried, really did rise from the dead, and because He did, He is victorious over sin and death and has secured salvation and eternal life for all who believe in Him. With this certainty, we pray that you would then help us to go and tell people the good news that He has risen. May we not stay silent, but proclaim to those we have contact with, that there is a Risen Saviour who can rescue them from their sins and take the punishment they deserve, if they confess with their mouths that He is Lord and believe in their hearts that God has raised Him from the dead. Amen.