Opening Prayer

Lord, help us to know You and follow You. To trust You and to receive You as our Lord and Saviour. Free us from distractions and temptations. Free us from striving and earning, help us to receive Your Grace, Your Mercy, and to know that Your Grace is sufficient. Help us to be faithful to You and to walk with You. Help us to long for You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture

Devotion

The rich young man presented a very good question to Jesus, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” It’s a very direct and insightful question. We can appreciate the question, the young man wanted to get it right. Can I pay for it, earn it, strive for it? How do I obtain it?

We live in a DIY (do-it-yourself) culture; we think we need to do things ourselves. But the fact is, Jesus, through His death and resurrection, provided the way for us to have eternal life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NRSV). Eternal life is already available to us.

There are many temptations and distractions but Jesus’ Words are clear in Matthew- “come, follow me.” (v21) “…seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Mt 6:33 NRSV).

What does it mean to follow Jesus? We read: “Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” (Mt 16:24-25 The Message)

Intercessory Prayer

Dear Father, we pray that the hearts of the parents will turn to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents. For the elders, grant them love and wisdom to connect with the young generation, who will in turn, humbly listen and learn from the elders. Whenever there is distress caused by conflicts between the two generations, may there be healings. We also pray for strength and hope for relatives who are hurt in the relationship, and may they have faith that reconciliation will be brought about. God of Miracles, nothing is impossible in You. Not only broken relationships can be restored through You, but also the two generations can work together to accomplish greater and more beautiful things. In Jesus’ name. Amen!