Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is week 6 of an 11-week journey through Mark’s account of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we begin our time together, let’s quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord.

A Scripture Reading from Mark 5:1-20

1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man— and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

A Prayer of Adoration

Jesus, we adore You as the One who is not afraid of our darkness. You crossed the sea into enemy territory. You stepped into tombs and brokenness and chaos, and You were not overwhelmed. We praise You that no chains can hold what You set free. No spiritual oppression, no torment, no history, no label is stronger than Your voice. You are Lord over storms, Lord over demons, Lord over what terrifies us, and Lord over what we have learned to tolerate. You are not distant from suffering. You step toward it. You speak, and things change. We worship You as Deliverer, as King, as the One who restores what the enemy has tried to destroy.

A Prayer of Confession

Jesus, we confess that sometimes we get comfortable in our sin and misery. Sometimes we “move into our graveyards”. We hold onto grudges. We accept the identity of victim. We become friends with our anger or depression or pain. Before we know it, we are isolated, surrounded by tombs, full of darkness. Jesus, we ask for your mercy today. Thank you for meeting us here today, ready to bring your light back to our hearts.

A Prayer of Trust

Jesus, we place our trust in You today. You alone know what binds us. You alone know what torments us. And You alone have the authority to command it to leave. We trust that when You confront darkness, You are not trying to shame us —You are trying to restore us. We trust that Your voice is stronger than the voices in our heads. Stronger than our trauma. Stronger than our past. Stronger than the names we’ve been called. Like the man who ended up sitting at Your feet, clothed and in his right mind, we trust You with our healing process. Even when it’s messy. Even when others don’t understand. Even when it changes our story. We trust You to make us whole.

A Prayer of Intercession

Jesus, we lift up those who feel trapped today — by addiction, by shame, by fear, by depression, by spiritual oppression, by cycles they can’t seem to break. We pray for those who feel isolated, living among tombs of loss and regret, cut off from community and hope. We ask that You would cross into their territory the same way You crossed into the region of the Gerasenes. Go where no one else is willing to go. Speak where darkness has been loud. We pray for those who have encountered You but are still afraid to follow You fully. And we pray for those You are setting free that You would send them as witnesses — not to preach perfection, but to tell the story of mercy.

Use their story to bring freedom to others.

Read Again

As we read a few of the verses from today’s passage again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us.

5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him.

And all the people were amazed.

A Moment of Reflection

Jesus, we pause now and reflect. Where have You brought freedom into my life? What chains have You already broken? Help me not forget what You’ve done. Help me to remember the mercy you’ve shown me over and over again. And show me where You may still be inviting me into deeper freedom. I want to sit at Your feet — restored, attentive, grateful. And I want to carry Your mercy into the places that need it most.

Closing Prayer

During these last few moments, quietly ask Jesus two simple questions:

“Lord, where do I need Your deliverance in my life right now?”

And, “Who in my life has isolated themselves that you want me to go visit with your love?” Sit with the Lord. Listen. And wait for Him to speak to you.