Weather Alert:

Church programs for Monday, Jan. 22 will resume their normal schedule at all locations this evening.

Programming Note:

Leawood’s Sunday night in-person worship has been moved to 4 pm for Sunday, February 11. 

Search
Close this search box.

Prayer Tip--Jesus and the Next Generation

August 11, 2024
SHARE

Daily Scripture

Romans 6:3-5 (NRSV)

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Daily Reflection & Prayer

The Bible uses many word pictures to describe the nature of our relationship with God. Today’s Scripture talks about being “baptized into Jesus.” Instead of being expressed as “Jesus is always with us” (a powerful and comforting message we often share), we get an image of us being IN Jesus. Not only that, this baptism into Jesus includes being baptized into death with him, buried with him, and raised from the dead with him.

We know from verses 1 and 2 in this chapter, that this is a dense metaphor for the life change that happens in us as we follow Jesus, a weighty picture of the justifying grace God pours out on us. This verse can be a little challenging to understand. So Paul’s question, “Do you not know…?” is still a meaningful question for us today.

As part of your prayer time today, I invite you to speak the following lines from this Scripture before God and then consider the questions I’ve provided:
“I am baptized into Christ.”
“I am baptized into Jesus’ death.”
“I am buried with Christ.”
“I am resurrected with Christ.”

What thoughts do these words bring to your mind?
How do you feel after praying these words?
What do they mean to you?

Share your answer to these questions with God in prayer.
Prayer

Wonderful and holy God, thank you that I have been baptized into Christ and his death, buried with him, and resurrected with him. Help me to live in the newness of life that comes from being in you. Let me live as someone who is united with you. In your holy name, Amen.

GPS Insights

Picture of David Andersen

David Andersen

This week's prayer tip is by David Andersen, who serves as the Leadership Development and Mentoring Ministry Program Director for all Resurrection locations. He is a life-long Kansas City native. He’s been married over 30 years and has two adult sons. He loves composing music, learning new things, writing, running, and creating spaces where people can encounter God.

© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References