Reflection
Only Peter, with God’s help, had the imagination to realise the truth of who Jesus was. The others couldn’t quite manage it. For them he was just a prophet, an important person, but not quite the Messiah. However, prophets are inspirational people who see the world as it is, and can be critical of institutions. Prophets are always worth listening to.
Who are the prophets of our day?
Today’s Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling; then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. Suggestion: To know Jesus more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly.
Setting: A Scripture reading to imagine you are part of the scene.
Scripture
Matthew 16:13-20 WEB
Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying,
“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
They said, “Some say John the Baptist, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”
Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.
Conversation: Talk to Jesus in your own words as a friend
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
The Kingdom is Yours: Written by Dee Wilson, Brittney Spencer, Micah Massey & Aaron Keyes
Lyrics
VERSE 1 Blessed are the ones who do not bury
All the broken pieces of their heart
Blessed are the tears of all the weary
Pouring like a sky of falling stars
VERSE 2 Blessed are the wounded ones in mourning
Brave enough to show the Lord their scars
Blessed are the hurts that are not hidden
Open to the healing touch of God
CHORUS The kingdom is yours, the kingdom is yours
Hold on a little more, this is not the end
Hope is in the Lord, keep your eyes on him
VERSE 3 Blessed are the ones who walk in kindness
Even in the face of great abuse
Blessed are the deeds that go unnoticed
Serving with unguarded gratitude
VERSE 4 Blessed are the ones who fight for justice
Longing for the coming day of peace
Blessed is the soul that thirsts for righteousness
Welcoming the last, the lost, the least
VERSE 5 Blessed are the ones who suffer violence
And still have strength to love their enemies
Blessed is the faith of those who persevere
Though they fall, they’ll never know defeat