John 14:15-21 (NIV): “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Invocation Prayer: Loving and gracious Father,
We come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your presence and guidance as we meditate upon Your holy Word. As we reflect on the words of Jesus from the Gospel of John, we are reminded of His call to love Him and keep His commands. We recognize that in our love for Him and obedience to His teachings, we find strength and assurance in Your eternal promises.
Father, we are grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send as our Advocate and Helper. We acknowledge that the Spirit of truth dwells within us, leading us into all truth and empowering us to live according to Your will. In a world that often rejects Your truth, we seek the discernment and courage to stand firm in our faith and be guided by the Spirit’s gentle voice.
We thank You, Lord, for the assurance that we are not alone. You have promised to never leave us as orphans but to come to us. Through Your abiding presence, we find comfort, strength, and hope, knowing that You are with us in every step of our journey. Help us to be attuned to Your presence, to recognize Your voice, and to be sensitive to the leading of Your Spirit in our lives.
In the midst of challenges and trials, may Your words resonate within us, reminding us that because Jesus lives, we also shall live. Grant us the deep understanding that we are united with You and the Father, and You are within us. Help us to embrace this profound truth and to live in the fullness of the relationship You have offered us through Christ.
Loving Savior, we desire to demonstrate our love for You by keeping Your commands. Enable us to align our lives with Your teachings, to be obedient in thought, word, and deed. Strengthen our love for You, that it may overflow and touch the lives of those around us, becoming a powerful testimony of Your grace and truth.
May our love for You be reciprocated by the love of the Father. As we seek to live in obedience and love, may we experience the depth of Your love and the revelation of Your presence in our lives. Open our eyes to behold Your glory, and reveal Yourself to us in ways that surpass our understanding.
We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Intentional Faith 