Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Lord God, if I really believe in you and in your Son, I cannot be but your witness. Send me your Spirit of strength, that I may give no flimsy excuses for not standing up for you and for loving my neighbors. Make me only afraid of betraying you and of being afraid to bear witness to you. I ask you this through Christ my Lord.

Reading: John 15:26-16:4 (NLT)

“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Come Spirit of Truth:

+ Remind me of all that Jesus has said and done.
+ Apply these truths to my real life circumstances.
+ Give me the courage and strength to live them out day-by-day.

Come Holy Comforter:

+ Walk with me through the ordinary trials and troubles of life; be my comforter and friend.
+ Stand steadfast within me if and when I face extraordinary challenges and persecution because of my faith.
+ Give me the courage of my convictions that I might not shirk my responsibility to speak the truth in love.

The World’s Most Persecuted Minority: Christians

Lord Jesus:

Truth be told, I have no idea of what it means to truly suffer for my faith. The inconveniences and resistance that I have encountered are as nothing in comparison to the suffering, torture and death of my brothers and sisters in the persecuted church around the world.

Send them your Spirit as Surety of your presence with them in their suffering. Comfort them in their distress, lighten their burdens, strengthen them in faith and endurance, and deliver them from all evil.

Bless them now in the midst of their hardship that they may bless others in whatever circumstances they find themselves that they might truly become a light to the nations to the glory of the Father – who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“You Make Me Brave” – Bethel Music

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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 149:1-2 (NLT)

Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful. O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!