Are You the Messiah? by Lisa Degrenia
There was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, “He is a good man,” others were saying, “No, he is deceiving the crowd.”- John 7:12

Jesus,
you come performing signs
speaking out against evil
healing and revealing

Yet, we question
we argue
Are you the Messiah?

Yes – No – Yes – No
We build our case
he has a demon
he is a sinner
he’s untrained
he’s not what we expected
he threatens our power

Help us see you fully and truly
Help us get past our agendas
Help us place our hope in you

Prayer for Living Water by Lisa Degrenia
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ ” – John 7:37-38

God of the Wilderness, God of the well,
We are thirsty.
We are dry and hard.
Our hearts are more stone than flesh.
Swing your saving rod once more. Crack us open.
Break us of quarreling and division.
Smash our fondness for complaining.
Shatter our mistrust, especially our mistrust of you.
Let your living water flow,
a stream in the desert, a spring of salvation.

God, we are so very thirsty.
Flood us and the world with your healing and transforming love,
through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Pause in silence to receive

Make me a River by Lisa Degrenia
Holy Spirit,
flow from my heart
quench my thirst for the holy
make me a river of compassion, justice, and hope for all

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John 7:37-39 is read on Year A — Easter — Day of Pentecost

I’ll be posting prayers based on the Gospel of John throughout Lent and Easter this year. Thanks for coming along with me on the journey. – Lisa <><

Three Prayers Inspired by John 7 © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
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