Morning Prayer - You Also Prayed For Me

Jesus,

In the silence of this morning, I see you in spirit, ascending the mountain. You do not go by chance, but with a purpose that is beyond my understanding.

Your decision was not made in an instant, but was carefully considered in deep communion with the Father.

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” (Luke 6:12)

You spent the entire night in conversation with Him. You prayed. For them. And I believe you prayed for me, too. Even before you spoke my name, you were already carrying it in your heart before the Father.

This realization fills me with awe and immense gratitude. You called to yourself those whom you yourself wanted. Not the best, not the most capable, not the most holy. You simply wanted them.

You did not choose me, but I chose you

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16)

Your choice surprises me time and again. I am not a rock of faith like Peter. I am often more like the sons of thunder, impulsive and impatient. At times, a trace of Thomas’s doubt or Peter’s cowardice hides within me.

Yet you chose me despite my littleness and you call me to yourself. But your first purpose is not for me to immediately do something for you. You called them to be with you. This is also my first and most important calling today: simply to be with you.

I have given you authority over unclean spirits

Only then, out of that intimacy, did you send them to preach and give them authority.

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” (Matthew 10:1)

This is not my power, but yours, working through me. Lord, thank you for trusting me. Thank you for giving me, through baptism, the authority to bring light into darkness, health to the sick, and freedom to the captive in your name. And this calling is not just for today, for this moment. Your promise extends into eternity.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'” (Matthew 19:28)

Their names have become the foundation of the heavenly city, inscribed for all time.