Deeper with Jesus: Day 1

Welcome to 4 Tuesdays of fasting and prayer. It is our hope that as we gather to pray these 4 Tuesdays we will lay the foundation for the 2024 theme “Deeper with Jesus.”

Jesus calls us to the deep end

I remember swimming in a standard-size hotel swimming pool several years ago. One end of the pool was shallow at 4 ft and the deep at 10 ft. Both depth areas were separated by a line of buoys attached together and the floors clearly marked to show depth for caution. Any swimmer knows that it is much more fun to swim in the deep end than the shallow. Shallow is for beginners while the deep end is for more seasoned swimmers who have the confidence and required skills to swim unaided.

Every follower of Jesus is called to move up to the deep end figuratively speaking where there is much more water to explore our developing and in some cases maturing skills. God’s intention is to make us like His Son. Jesus was deep in spirit. We should be as well for if we say we are in Him we ought also to walk as He walked.

Where do we begin?

Being With the Deep One Himself

No parent in their right mind enrolls their child in a swimming lesson with a coach who has no verifiable or certified credentials. Why is this? Obvious answer. Just like anything else you need someone with the skills to help coach the child or beginner as it may apply to an effective and deep-end swimmer. More so swimming is an exercise that can result in loss of life or permanent injury.

In the Gospel of Mark, we read an interesting scripture that I believe points us to where we must begin this journey to greater depth in the Lord our Saviour Jesus Christ. Get this! He is the Coach of all coaches.

And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons

Mark 3:13-15 NKJV

The closer we get to Jesus the more of His character and nature we take on, and the less the flesh dominates us. Paul writes in Colossians:

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Romans 13:14 NKJV

Let Us Pray

Pray Out Loud the written prayer below (You can also create your own variations as well using the same pattern.)

Father in Heaven, AgeIess and Glorious One, Beginning and The End, the Omnipotent and Omnipresent God. You who knows all things. Your wisdom and knowledge are beyond compare. I worship and praise Your Holy Name. You are God and besides You, there is none else. You reign from Heaven forever. Your Throne and Your Kingdom are established forever.

Your Kingdom come. Father, God, Your will be done here on Earth as it is in Heaven. I thank you today and always Lord for your everlasting love for me. I thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ who took my place on the cross to pay the penalty of original sin in order to bring me into a relationship with You. I believe that Jesus calls me into a Deeper Walk with Him and in You. I believe that You have a plan for my life. I submit to Your will for a deeper walk in You. I believe that Jesus wants me to first be with Him, learning to enjoy His company above all else. Father, in Your mercy, lead me into deeper areas of your many Rivers. Jesus said whoever believes in You, out of their Spirit will flow Rivers of Living Water. Lord, I believe!

I forgive all those who have offended me and refuse to hold a grudge. Help me release every offender today and always. Forgive me sins of omission and commission. You are Great, Awesome in Strength and Glory. Provide for those things I need, those that I am aware of, and those that I am not. My life and the life of my family are in Your hands.

Lead me and every one of us away from temptation. Deliver me from the evil lurking in the world today. Deliver my family and Your church from the evil rising up and spreading across the land. Arise and let your enemies be scattered. You alone have all the power all the glory. No devil on earth can withstand the move of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord, for everything You do and what You will yet do.

Continue in Prayer with these “will of God” thanks and requests

• Give thanks for the truth of God’s word and the power it has to change our lives. Hebrews 4:12
• Give thanks for God’s work in making us into the image of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
• Ask God for the grace to pursue a deeper walk with Jesus Christ. John 7:38-39
• Lord help me learn how to be with you, how to stay in Your presence. Acts 4:13
• Bring other specific requests that you may have for yourself and others. Galatians 6:2

We shall continue next Tuesday on this exciting journey. The Lord is your strength. Amen!