Tag: Holy Week

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Good Friday Contemplative Prayer

Today is a Good Friday unlike any I can remember. With the covid crisis still raging in New York City and hundreds of people dying every day, Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross feels very near. It feels less like an abstract religious idea and more like the reality for thousands of people all over the world who are sick or dying or losing loved ones.

My partners Janine Rohrer and David Buchs and I created this guided contemplative prayer from John 19:16-30 knowing that many of us are grieving and frightened, uncertain about the future, and needing to find solid ground. We invite you to breathe deeply of God’s presence: to walk with Jesus through his crucifixion, to speak to him out of your own emotions and experience, and to hear his loving words for you.

May you be blessed by Jesus during this time of prayer.

– Carrie

Find me on Instagram @ravishedbylight and on the blog at vineyardone.nyc.

Find David Buchs and other meditations by David Buchs and Janine Rohrer at www.sleepwithmusic.com.

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Easter Sunday: He is Risen Indeed

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Spend some time rejoicing in and with our Risen Lord.

READ

John 12:1-18

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) Vs. 9 says that the disciples who saw the empty tomb “saw and believed.” What have you seen as you journeyed with Jesus during Lent? How has Jesus strengthened and sustained your belief?

2) Mary Magdalene goes through a gamut of emotions: mourning over Jesus’ death, alarm and grief when she believes his body has been stolen, then the joy of recognition when Jesus speaks her name and she is able to share the news with the others. What emotions have you experienced as you have encountered Jesus during this Lent season? Which stand out to you and why? How might they be leading you to act and pray?

 

OBEY

 

After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples enter a time of waiting and praying for Pentecost, for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Ask Jesus to show you what this time of waiting and praying will look like for you, then act accordingly.

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

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Lent Day 45: “They Knew It Was The Lord”

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Find a place and posture of that will support your time of prayer. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring you the joy of Christ’s resurrection.

READ

John 21

REFLECT AND PRAY

Jesus’ return from death stimulates the hearts of his disciples. They are rejuvenated by Christ’s resurrection.

There are two scenes in John where the disciples fish with Jesus. The first (John 1:35-42) shows the amazement of ordinary men at an extraordinary man named Jesus. If we compare the first fishing scene to the one in John 21, we can see that the disciples have grown in faith and been transformed by their relationship with Christ.

1) What are some ways you have grown in Christ during this season of life?

OBEY

In both fishing scenes, Jesus calls his disciples to follow him. How is Jesus calling Peter to serve? How is God calling you to serve today? As he speaks to you, answer with a “yes.”

Guest writer: Marcus Samerson

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

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Lent Day 44: “Blessed Are Those Who Believe”

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Find a place and posture of that will support your time of prayer. Ask for the grace of increased faith in Jesus.

READ

John 20:19-31

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) Imagine how the disciples felt after Jesus was crucified. Although they knew in their heart of hearts that Jesus was the Messiah and that he would be raised from the dead, they were heartbroken. They must have been filled with doubt and even despair. They were hiding from the Jewish leaders. Then, suddenly, in their darkest hour, Jesus appeared and sent them out as the Father sent him. Their tears must have been turned into laughter, their anxiety into peace. Ask the Lord to wipe out any doubt and any fear that may be holding you back and to use you for His purposes.

2) Verse 28 is the only verse in which someone directly calls Jesus God in the Bible. When Thomas saw for himself that Jesus had come back from the dead, he had to believe. In what powerful ways has Jesus revealed himself to you? Ask him to reveal himself to you in beautiful and powerful ways this Lent and Easter.

OBEY

Believe. If you are reading this reflection it is because you in some way or another have experienced God’s love. Deep down you know that Jesus is God and that he was crucified and raised from the dead. Thank Jesus for his perfect sacrifice on the cross. Ask Jesus to increase your faith in him. Ask him to allow your faith to be true (see James 2:14-26, Galatians 5:6, and Hebrews 11).

Guest writer: Abraham Aldama

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

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Lent Day 43: “I Have Seen the Lord!”

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Close your eyes and quiet your thoughts. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you seek and find Jesus in whatever way he chooses to show himself.

READ

John 20:1-18

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) In verses 1-10, Mary Magdalene and the disciples run looking for Jesus but do not find him in the way they had expected? Do you identify with them at all? In what way? Are there any times that Jesus has shown up in your life in a way you did not expect?

2) Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic,”Rabboni!” [which means “Teacher”] (v. 16).

Mary did not recognize Jesus until he spoke her name. Then, she turned to recognize him as her teacher. Are there any times in your life where you have felt Jesus speaking your name and possibly inviting you to recognize him in a new way?

OBEY

Take a few minutes to thank Jesus for all of the ways he appears in your life.

In verse 17, Jesus says, “Go instead to my brothers and tell them…” Ask Jesus what he may want you to tell others about him and to give you the opportunity to do so.

Guest writer: Erin Brehm

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

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Lent Day 42: “It is Finished”

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Find a comfortable place to pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you walk with Jesus through his time of trial.

READ

John 19:17-42

REFLECT AND PRAY

When Jesus says, “It is finished,” he may be referring to many endings at once: not only his mission on the cross, his defeat of sin, death, and evil but also his human life and ministry (in his non-resurrected body). He has also “finished” his duty as a human son; one of his last acts is ensuring his mother will be taken care of always, by John. As always in Jesus’ life on earth, we see the human and divine intersect.

1) As you read this passage, what part of Jesus’ “finishing” impacts you the most? Why?

2) As you consider the last 24 hours, where have you seen the human and divine intersect in your own life? Where have you experienced Jesus coming into your human existence, or experienced yourself as moving towards God?

OBEY

The account of Jesus’ death fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, emphasizing that he is indeed the Messiah that was foretold (v. 36). Although Jesus asks us to take up our own crosses as we follow him (Matthew 16:24), only Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection can bring us freedom from our sins.

What “cross” is Jesus asking you to bear on his behalf these days? By doing so, how are you advancing the work of the Kingdom of God? Ask Jesus to help you bear your cross faithfully as you partner with him in establishing his rule and reign.

Guest writer: Mimi Otani, crazy4jazz.com

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

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Lent Day 41: “No Power Unless Given From Above”

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Close your eyes and quiet your thoughts. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you walk with Jesus through his time of trial.

READ

John 19:1-16

REFLECT AND PRAY
Jesus endures horrible abuse and torture at the hands of his enemies. He is now a prisoner, brought here by the plotting and scheming of the religious leaders, no longer able to roam free to teach and heal the masses.
1) Put yourself in the place of one of Jesus’ followers. What emotions do you imagine you would have felt while seeing all of this? What conclusions might you have come to about Jesus, yourself, Pilate or the religious leaders, or about what was going to happen next?
2) ” Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin” (v.11).
In this situation, who believes they are in control? How do they demonstrate what they believe to be their superiority? How do Jesus’ words show them – and us – another perspective?
3) Think back on a difficult time in your life. How has Jesus used it to show you he is in control of your life, health, dreams, and hopes?
OBEY
Give thanks to Jesus, who chose to endure great suffering because of his love for us. Share the story of Jesus’ love with someone this week.
Guest writer: Mercy Perez

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).