Scripture and Prayer Focus for November 13, 2026

 November 13 -- John 18: 10-16 "Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, 'Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?' So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.  Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in."

Prayer focus for today:  If you like action thrillers, hold on to your seat ... the action is just getting started. While it's easy to just read through passages of Scripture such as this and get caught up in the drama and keeping all the characters straight, what is most important to do is step back and read it over and over again, looking at the words from Jesus's perspective. Notice how He knows just what to say. Notice he speaks not in anger or frustration or even fear, but still teaches of His purpose and God's love until the very end. Pray today for a renewed heart of courage in this lost and dying world. Pray for Christ to fill you with boldness for His Kingdom's sake, that you would be able to speak confidently of Him, no matter what. Pray that Jesus would be so evident in your behavior that people wouldn't ask if you are a Christian, they would ask where you go to church.  Remember, we have to follow well to lead well!  Press on with boldness for Christ today!

Scripture and Prayer Focus for November 12, 2026

 November 12 -- John 18: 1-9 "When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, 'Whom do you seek?' They answered him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them, 'I am he.' Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, 'Whom do you seek?' And they said, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus answered, 'I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.' This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, 'Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.'"

Prayer focus for today: "I am he."  Three small words totalling just five little letters, yet powerful enough to make men fall to the ground.  When you think about your relationship with Jesus, do you feel that awe of Holiness?  If not, what changed?  Or did you ever experience that? Choosing to follow Jesus is not about us ... it's all about Jesus. If you feel you need to do something "powerful" to work yourself into a frenzy to pray or worship Jesus, you've missed the key of Jesus ... it's his still small voice yet mighty Holiness that makes Him Lord of Lords!  HE is all you need. Trust Him. Pray today that you will be renewed by that awe and wonder of the complicated simplicity that is Jesus. If you call Him your Savior and Lord, pray today that you will have a more clear understanding of what that means. Pray for wisdom and purpose to live out your walk with Jesus in exactly the way He intended for you -- not the way YOU desire.  If you realize you have called yourself a Christian, but have never felt that awe and wonder of giving your whole life to Jesus, it's not too late. Pray today with repentance, and ask Jesus to come into your heart -- changing your life for all eternity. Pray for boldness to share your Jesus with someone today -- it's the most important thing you have to do today (whether your agenda says so or not). Pray for a heart and mind so focused on Jesus you will never falter. I'm praying with you!  If you have questions, I'm always here -- drop me a message and let's talk about ... Our Jesus!

Scripture and Prayer Focus for November 11, 2026

 November 11 -- John 17: 18-26 "'As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.' 'I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me becuause you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.'"

Prayer focus for today: Today's Scriptures are very personal. Jesus is talking with His Father, giving us not just a clearer picture of His great love for the Father AND for all of us who choose to follow Him, but I beleive He's also giving us a clear picture of what our personal relationship with Him is to be like. Notice he isn't yelling or repeating commands to God. He isn't flippant, but reverent in everything He says. He honors God's holiness, even though He is an equal part of the trinity. His example for us is where our prayer focus leads today.  Pray today that you would grow to better understand that Jesus wants us to honor His holiness, but have a reverent personal relationship with Him. Pray that you and I will be better examples of this to others and not be Pharisitical in our prayers, making a show or just always repeating the same words over and over again. Pray that we can each grow by spending more time in God's word than we do on social media, growing to understand better who Jesus is and who He created us to be in relation to Him. True peace only comes when you are right in the center of God's will..... praying you may find that place today.

Scripture and Prayer Focus for November 10, 2026

 November 10 -- John 17: 10-17 "'All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.'"

Prayer focus for today: "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." Christ's words in today's passage of Scripture are ones I have prayed over my children their whole lives. Jesus loves each of us who choose to follow Him SOOOO much. He wants us to experience the reason we were put on this earth, but prays for protection from Satan and his forces. (Just imagine what evil would be at our doorstep if this wasn't being prayed over us?  It's more frightening than we can even imagine. )

Pray today for your family to know the reason God put each one of you on this earth, but also pray for God's protection from the evil one. Pray that you will better understand who Jesus is so that you can serve Him fully. And lastly ... all of us knows someone who is not following Jesus. ... pray today for bold confidence to share Christ in your words and deeds with that person today. You have the answers they need ... don't keep them to yourself!  I'm praying for you, as well!  Step boldly into the ring, God has you through the fight.

Scripture and Prayer Focus for November 9, 2026

 November 9 -- John 17: 1-9 "When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, 'Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.' 'I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.'"

Prayer focus for today: "For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me."  If you are a true follower of Jesus who has set your life aside for Him, those words should bring ultimate comfort. Pray today that, no matter what struggles you face, you will NEVER give up on Jesus or fail to believe in Him. Please also pray for our Tree of LIfe grade 12 students who will be completing their national examinations this week. So many of them are realizing the reality of growing up and moving on. For some, there is excitement and joy knowing they can see through the darkness that lies ahead as they start to live as an adult in society. For many others, there is only darkness and fear of the unknown. Pray that they will each choose to faithfully follow Jesus and believe that He is able to carry them through the great unknown of life outside of the Tree of Life. Pray for Christ to give them wisdom in the decisions they make that will impact the rest of their lives. 

Scripture and Prayer Focus for November 8, 2026

 November 8 -- John 16: 30-33 "'Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.' Jesus answered them, 'Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.'"

Prayer focus for today:  "But take heart, I have overcome the world."  What a peace that statement should give us, if we are truly followers of Jesus Christ. Knowing that HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD and has conquered death as our living savior and Lord is all we need to know as we daily give up self to follow and obey Jesus. Pray today for strength to obey, follow, and boldly live unashamed for Jesus. Rest in Him alone in this crazy, uncertain world. He is all you need!

Scripture and Prayer Focus for November 7, 2026

 November 7 -- John 16: 23-29 "In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.' 'I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.' His disciples said, 'Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!'"

Prayer focus for today: If you are like me, today's closing verse put you at ease. Finally, the disciples are understanding! Pray today for God to give you peace and understanding of His purposes for you. Nothing in your life is an accident ... ever. He has you and He always will.