Jesus Speaks to his Mother and Disciple

John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus there stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, there is your son." In turn he said to the disciple, "There is your mother." From that hour onward, the disciple took her into his care.

"There is an old saying that blood is thicker than water. Not so in Jesus' new family, in his kingdom. The waters of baptism override any familial ties. . . . This is the station of compassion, of the drawing together of the new family of Jesus, given to one another to care for each other as tenderly as we would for Jesus, Jesus' mother, and those who are closest to them . . . excerpts from Megan McKenna's book "The New Stations of the Cross"

Speak to us, suffering Savior, and tell us who is our family. Show us for whom we are responsible. Encourage us to take the yoke of caring for your people upon our backs, for in you we are strong and your burden is easy. Forgive us when our vision is too narrow or hearts are limited. Open our hearts to love our brothers and sisters in you.

We pray for your church, for the community of faith. Strengthen each community to share a bond of family that can not be undone by any of the world's concerns. We pray for church leaders, for ministers and priests, for elders, deacons, and teachers. Equip them for their tasks with love.
We pray for broken churches, churches fractured by dissention and mistrust. Heal their broken places, provide wisdom, patience, kindness and courage to all the members and leaders to recommit to their church family and resolve to begin nurturing the love and support of all the body. We pray for persons who have no church, but feel the emptiness of not belonging to anyone. Gently guide them into your fellowship, and open the arms of your loving family to receive them.

Individual prayer requests today: Johnelle Russell; blessings for her and her family and for them to be reunited soon. Sherry Johnson; pray for healing and renewal of her mind and spirit, for deliverance from addiction. Kellye Newman; we pray for her to be reunited with her loved ones very soon, and that she find her way to a productive and healthy lifestyle, favorable in your sight. Amy Patton; please provide her with the justice she seeks in her legal matters, let your will prevail in all things.

We pray for these, your children, our brothers and sisters, because in you we are one family. Help us lift the cares and concerns of those near to us and those unknown to us, as we seek to serve you. Jesus our brother, to you we pray.