Welcome to Daily Prayer. Today we read about the cost of being a faithful witness, as Herod’s sin, pride and power collide with John the Baptist’s courage and integrity.

As we begin our time together, let’s quiet our hearts and minds before the LORD.

Lord, you are the Lord with all authority. No one and no thing is greater than you.

I repent of any and all compromise that I have made.

Forgive me for tolerating compromise. For being influenced by fear of others.

May your name be honored in my life.

Lord, give me the courage to speak the truth in love.

I give everyone and everything to you.

O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise.

A Scripture Reading from Mark 6:13-29:

13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head.

He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

God’s people are a commissioned people who are called to be both compassionate and courageous. John the Baptist had been sent to Israel to prepare them for the coming of the Lord. As the Twelve are going through Israel proclaiming the kingdom and calling people to repent, John is losing his life because of his faithful witness. He paid the ultimate price for confronting sin with truth. This passage reminds us that faithfulness has a cost. The kingdom advances through those willing to lay down their lives for the sake of his kingdom and righteousness.

A Prayer of Adoration:

Father, we thank you for the ministry of John the Baptist. Thank you for giving us a model of radical obedience. He was a voice crying out in the wilderness and he was a burning and shining lamp for you. Father, we worship you as the One who honors every servant who stands for righteousness. Your kingdom is worth every sacrifice. May your name be honored and may your will be done on earth.

A Prayer of Confession:

Father, forgive us when we stay silent to avoid conflict. Forgive us for choosing comfort over the kingdom. Lord, forgive us for compromising to keep peace with people instead of honoring and pleasing you. Forgive us for fearing people more than we fear you. Give us John-like courage to be burning and shining lamps for you.

A Prayer of Trust:

We trust that nothing is wasted when we trust in you. You see every act of faithfulness. You will vindicate your people. We entrust our reputations, our comfort, and our lives into your hands. We are not ashamed of the gospel.

A Prayer of Intercession and Petition:

Lord, strengthen believers facing slander or persecution or loss for speaking in your name. Protect them from the evil one. I pray that you would comfort those who mourn. Lord, we pray that you would raise up courageous voices in our families, in our churches, in our culture. Let your light shine and may many turn to you in repentance and faith. Give us courage to be your people.

A Moment of Reflection:

Lord, is there any place where the fear of man is silencing my witness?

As we listen to the passage again, let's listen for a word or phrase that the Holy Spirit may want to say to us from today's verses.

13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head.

He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

And now Our Weekly Passage to Memorize together:

Mark 6:34

“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.”

Let’s pray the Lord’s Prayer together as we close:

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread and

Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever

amen