“(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots)” (Mark 7:1-2.) 

The root of the tradition is good.  Cleanliness maintains health.  But there are times when it is not practical.  To wash is one thing, to make a ceremony of it every time is quite another.  It is not what we do that saves us, but the One who did for us what we could not do for ourselves, who saves us.  Practice common sense, but do not live just by traditions, but by the One who made all things.

Lord, I know You are not against traditions, only when they get in the way of my relationship with You.  Help me to live in relationship with You, doing what is needful, and being practical in daily life.  Lead me beyond those things which would hinder me and help me to understand clearly where I am making more, or even less, of things which may hinder me from walking in Your righteousness.

Lord Jesus, You instituted traditions, so I know they are not all bad.  Help me to learn from You where to place ceremonies in my life and where to set them aside.  Be the One who leads me, and walk alongside me today and each day, so that I may learn faithfulness from You step by step.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way of everlasting life.  Help me to abide in the life You have given me through grace.  Amen/

The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed.

The traditions of men are deep in us all.  Not that all traditions are bad – we all have them – but the truth is that we are to love, fear, and trust God above all things.  Yes, it is good to wash your hands, but will we go to hell if we do not?  There is the impure in body, and then there is impurity of the soul.  One can have an unclean body and yet be clean in heart.  We are called to follow the Lord.

Lord, you know that I need a clean heart.  Help me so that my traditions do not get in the way of my faith in You.  Help me to be clean, yes, but not for my own sake, but in obedience to all that You would have me do.  Give me a heart that questions why I do what I do in order that I would learn to be obedient to You in and through all things.  Teach me what it means to be faithful.  Only by Your guidance am I able to live a life of faith.

Lord Jesus, help me to see and understand the details of what I read in the Gospel.  In all things, keep my mind curious so that I seek the wisdom You offer.  Guide me by the power of Your Holy Spirit to seek faithfulness in all that I do.  Guide me to live according to Your word and not be caught up into the traditions of men.  Also, help me to not be hostile to tradition, but understand that traditions can guide, but that You alone must lead.  Amen.

“There were five thousand men who ate the loaves” (Mark 6:44).

How many People is the Lord able to take care of at the same time?  Not only all people, but all things in the universe are maintained by the Lord.  A sparrow does not fall to the ground that the Lord does not know of it.  The Lord is able to take care of all people at the same time.  In simple terms, the truth is that there is nothing that is not possible with the Lord.  With the Lord, all things are possible.

Lord, each day You provide enough for every living thing.  Of course, you were able to take what little was offered ,and made of it enough for everyone present.  Help me to understand that by trusting in You I am able to accomplish what You intend.  Teach me what it means to trust You above all things.  Guide me into this faith so that I put into action what You intend.

Lord Jesus, You asked a simple question of the disciples.  They did as You directed and then, with what we call a miracle, the crowd was fed.  Help me to trust You such that I listen to what You say knowing that You are more able to do all that You say.  Lead me in faith so that I believe and follow through with all that You command.  Overcome my unbelief.  Help me to trust Your word.  Amen.

“And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all.  They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish” (Mark 6:41-42).

They all ate and were satisfied.  What is it that we really need?  The Lord causes the rain to fall and the plants to grow.  The world feeds daily by His provision.  Too many act as though the very things we use each day are not miracles provided by the Lord.  The faithful ones are called to lives that are thankful for all that the Lord provides.  There is enough for everyone.

“Take and eat, this is my body, given for you.”  Lord God, You have provided all that we need.  It is right there before us.  Overcome the unbelief amongst those who call themselves Yours.  Help us to understand these things and act on them.  Help us to use the provision You give us and live as You are leading us in the way of the everlasting life You have offered us.

Thank You Lord Jesus for providing the means of grace.  In Your grace, You have given me all that I need.  Life is more than food or clothing for the body.  You are the author of life and have established the narrow way that leads to life everlasting.  Help me each step of the way, for you alone know all that is needed.  Guide me in Your goodness to see the everyday miracles that surround me.  Amen.

“And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”  And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass.  They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties” (Mark 6:38-40).

With the Lord, all that we have is enough.  Can you not see that He, through whom all things came into existence, is more than able to do all that is needful to provide for our every need.  He calls us together and provides all that is necessary.  Do we believe?  Do we trust that He is the One who will lead us all the days of our lives?  Come and taste and see that the Lord is always good.

Lord God, all things are possible with You, but I often doubt, and in my doubts, do not believe.  Help me to move beyond my own abilities to see that in You there is hope.  You give us hope beyond anything this world can provide.  When You tell us to do something, grant us faith such that we do what You command.  If You say that we should tell a mountain to be moved into the sea, help us to speak to the mountain.

Lord Jesus, in the example of Your life and ministry, You have demonstrated how to live a life of willing obedience to the Father.  Lead me to be in constant prayer.  Help me to do those things You give me to do.  Through all that comes, help me now and always to abide in the truth that You are always with me and leading me in the journey of faith.  Not by my will, but by Yours, guide me in the way of everlasting life.  Amen.

“But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” (Mark 6:37)

Sometimes what the Lord asks of us seems so outrageous.  We think of earthly things and count the cost, figuring we cannot afford it.  Jesus, the One through whom all things have come to be, is able to do all things.  It is not just food for the belly that Jesus has come to give, but food for the soul which nourishes us and prepares us for life everlasting.  If the Lord asks for you to do something, He will provide what is needful.

Lord, You know where I do not fully believe and think only in worldly terms.  You know the places where I try to figure things out on my own and do not do what You would have me do.  Help my unbelief and guide me in the way You know I need to go.  Help me to not act on what I see, but upon what You tell me.  Lead me into all righteousness for Your sake and learn how to step out in the faith You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You have become the living bread for our sake.  There is more than enough, for You have provided what money cannot buy.  Lead me in the way You would have me go and help me to believe in You when You ask me to do something.  Help me through my doubts in order that I may learn to obey all that You command.  You have told me to go.  Guide me to go where You send me.  Amen.

“When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat” (Mark 6:35-36).

The disciples wanted to get away from the crowds.  How often are we annoyed with our situation?  The Lord has compassion and does not take the easy way.  He went to the cross so that we could go with Him into eternal life.  The Lord does not send us away to feed ourselves but gives us Himself as the bread of life.  What He gives we cannot buy, for He alone was able to pay the price.

Lord God, in everyday life I demonstrate the ways in which I do not have compassion and mercy.  Many is the time when I am tired and just want to rest, and yet, there are always opportunities for ministry.  Lead me so that I do not settle for the worldly way of doing things but come along with You on the narrow path and walk according to Your word, partaking of the living bread which You give.

Lord Jesus, You always give that which leads to us to being perfected in mind.  I would settle, but You intend that I live unto life eternal with You.  You have shown me that You do not stop.  Do not stop with me but help me to listen to the Holy Spirit as You speak, learning how to obey the Father and walk faithfully, becoming ever more like You in all things.  Feed me  on the living food which You give.  Amen.

“The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them.  When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:33-34).

No matter where we go, there are always more who are in need.  Such is the state of the world in this age.  Many are called but few are chosen.  The choosing comes in belief and belief is action.  It is not busy-ness for its own sake but doing what the Father gives us to do.  It seems many are trying to live for themselves only – and this is what sin has done – so we are called to be diligent in all that we do.

Lord, I know how to be lazy.  I also know how to look for others to do what I can do.  Teach me to be diligent and serve my neighbor with justice and grace.  Teach me to not be a burden to others, but to be a person of action.  Through all things, teach me to look to You, the source of all goodness, and to live according to Your will and not according to the constant pressure of this world.

Lord Jesus, You have told us to work while it is day.  Your word tells us to put our hand to the plow and not look back.  I know that this has nothing to do with earning something but is a part of how You teach me what I need to know.  As Your disciple, lead me in the power of Your Holy Spirit to live the life You give me to live knowing that all things are in Your hands and You will accomplish all that is needful.  Amen.

“The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.  And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)  They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves” (Mark 6:30-32).

Our Lord knows all that we need.  Sometimes we so wrap ourselves up into all that is happening that we do not take time to take care of ourselves.  Jesus withdrew the disciples for a time of retreat.  The disciples reported to Him all that had happened.  The needs of the people were constant and continuous.  All things that need doing will never be completed by us during this age because they are continuous.

Lord, help me to see that I can do only what I can do, that there are limits, and time is needful to decompress.  Teach me to come to You and, in prayer, share all that I have done.  You already know, but I need to unload the things that have been going on.  Teach me also that I can never do all that needs doing.  There will always be more to do.  Guide me, Lord, so that I live into the life You have set before me.

Lord Jesus, You have shown me how to live.  There are times to be busy and times to rest.  Every time is time for prayer.  Guide me so that I live a temperate life which does not live on the edge, but in the balance and peace which You provide.  Help me now and always to humbly abide in You as You abide in me.  You alone are the One who can lead me to live according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb” (Mark 6:27-29).

Regardless of how we may have felt in the moment, the regrets are overcome by the obligation which pride created.  Pride is strong and it hammers at us all.  We each do what we do, but how often do we think about what we do?  The Lord calls us to constant prayer and communion with Him.  We are to be aware not only of what we are doing, but also of our attitude and motivation.

Lord, I sometimes do things without thinking about them.  I put myself into situations where my own obligations drive me to do even things I do not want to do.  Help me so that I live according to Your word and not according to the things of this world or the pressures that it puts on me.  Teach me to be guarded concerning my promises.  With all things, help me to think through what I am saying and doing.

Lord Jesus, without You, I would not even know the extent of the difficulty I have with pride, let alone have a way out.  My Savior, lead me through these things so that I learn how to live loving You and my neighbor.  Teach me how to properly behave in all circumstances.  Aid me to live a life of praise of You whose work alone endures forever.  Through Your word, Lord, may I be guided into all goodness.  Amen