Week 5

John 12:20-33 A Grain of Wheat Must Die

There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: "Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?"
Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus. Jesus answered, "Time's up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.

"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.

"Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? 'Father, get me out of this'? No, this is why I came in the first place. I'll say, 'Father, put your glory on display.'"

A voice came out of the sky: "I have glorified it, and I'll glorify it again."

The listening crowd said, "Thunder!"

Others said, "An angel spoke to him!"

Jesus said, "The voice didn't come for me but for you. At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out. And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me." He put it this way to show how he was going to be put to death.

As you are sitting at your computer screen, pray along with these sites this week:
Pray As You Go
Sacred Space

Prayer Focus: The World
All of us have a lot going on. School, work, family, relationships. . .survival. It's easy to forget that there is an entire world out there. Each day this week, take a moment to remember that the world is big. It's full of people just like you and me; struggling, laughing, grieving, living. In the spirit of Lent, give up a moment of your time to pray for them.

Monday
The struggle in Darfur continues and worsens. Take a minute to learn and PRAY.
Save Darfur

Tuesday
Native people around the world are often looked over and forgotten. There are tribes of people all around us right here in Spokane. Their ancestors were here before ours. Remember our Native American brothers and sisters as you pray today.
Spokane Tribe
Coeur d'Alene Tribe
Colville Tribe

Wednesday
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Here is are a couple of examples of people who are making a difference there:
Partners In Health
Matt and Stacey

Thursday
South Africa is one of those places those places that we pray for on a regular basis at The Porch. Below is a link to some people who live and care for people affected by HIV/AIDS in that country. Pray for them today as they work and live in difficult situations:
Positive Ray
Don't forget Mike and Robin and Two Tunics

Friday
There are areas of conflict all around the globe. Almost all of us have a friend or a family member who is or has been involved in Iraq or Afghanistan. Take some time to pray for the people of these regions, US and International soldiers, and all involved in these wars. Pray for peace to come to these regions soon.

Saturday
Open up Google Maps or Google Earth. Pick a place that you are curious about. Explore it from space. Look up information. Who lives there. Who are their tribes. What are their customs and struggles. The world is a big place. Remember. Pray.