Corrected prayerbook 1.11.22

Day 23

I am the Gate

The community who serve here often find themselves on ‘Gate Duty,’
which means that they are God’s welcome to our visitors as they arrive.

Please pray that the Lord will watch over all who come in and go out of
our gates.

Jesus tells us about the sheep in the care of their shepherd; in Bible times,
the shepherd himself was the gate, sleeping across the entrance of the
field to protect his sheep.

Perhaps you feel you need his protection at the moment? Talk with him
about this. He is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life down for his
sheep. How does this make you feel?

Jesus also tells us that with him, we can come and go and find safe pas-
ture.

“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them and

the sheep follow because they know his voice.”

John 10:3b, 4

Spend some time picturing the sheep in the fields in the care of their
shepherd. Watch also as they are guided through the gate, following
him because they recognise and trust his voice.

As you listen for his voice, tell Jesus which areas in your life you need
guidance for today.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and

everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”

John 11:25, 26

Day 24

I am the Resurrection and the Life

Jesus said these words to Martha, shortly before he raised her brother
Lazarus, from the dead, he was making an incredible proclamation, that
He is the resurrection and the life.

Jesus is the One who has defeated death by dying and being raised to
life again. Do you believe this?

Martha responded,

“Yes Lord I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God,
the one coming into the world.”

Imagine that Jesus is as close to you as he was to Martha. Talk to him
about any fears you may have regarding death—your own or of those
you love. Listen to Jesus as he tells you,

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

As you pray, what significance do His words have for you today?
Now ask for deeper trust in Jesus, who is the Lamb seated on the throne.

For the Lamb at the centre of the
throne will be their shepherd,

and he will guide them to springs of
the water of life, and God will wipe

away every tear from
their eyes.

Revelation 7:17

“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy
burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and

learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28

Day 25

My Burden is Light

Jesus beckons to you, “Come to me.”
He tells you that he is gentle and humble in heart.
Picture him now as he walks towards you; how does he welcome you?

Look at the rucksack in the picture; imagine it belongs to you and is still
on your back after many hours…What might be inside?

Now, let Jesus lift it off your back. Can you feel the relief after carrying
this heavy load for so long?

Sit on the bench with him and rest for a while. Share with him some-
thing you feel burdened by at the moment.

The burden that Jesus refers to is the yoke that oxen bore on their shoul-
ders. If the yoke was ill-fitting, their skin would chafe under the weight.

Is there anything ill-fitting in your life?

What impact does this have on you?

Could anything be done to change this?

Listen to the words of Jesus again:
“Come to me, all you who are weary
and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11 v 28

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be
thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will

give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will
become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.
The woman replied, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may
never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

John 4:13-15

Day 26

Thirst

The picture today shows Bella, one of our garden cats, drinking from a
birdbath on a hot day. For the next three days, we will be reflecting on
the Scripture where Jesus meets the woman at the well in Samaria. The
entire reading can be found in John 4:1-42 if you would like to read the
story.

As the woman meets with Jesus, she realises that he is special—a proph-
et maybe? How she would love to drink the water that he offers her, and
never be thirsty again! Later she will understand that he is telling her
about the spiritual water which only he can give.

Jesus describes this water within to be like;
a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.

What would it be like to have this spring within you?
Perhaps you have already experienced this?

Are you feeling spiritually thirsty today?
Like the woman, ask Jesus to give you this water.

You may like to choose an empty cup to hold or to open your hands as a
sign of your longing to receive the water of life.

Pray for someone you know who is feeling spiritually dry;
may they be refreshed today.

As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.

Psalm 42

Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying,
‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands and

the one you have now is not your husband.
What you have said is true!”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, I see you are a prophet.”

John 4:17-19

Day 27

Truth

The picture today shows the ancient cistern in the garden which is 31ft
deep. It collects the winter rainfall which enables us to water the garden
during the long, dry summer months.

Jesus and the woman at the well are engaged in deep conversation. He
reveals that he knows everything about her, past and present, as he chal-
lenges her about the relationships in her life.

The woman might have felt ashamed or judged, but instead she is
amazed; she wonders if he is a prophet because of his knowledge about
her life. Sometimes we avoid talking to God about our own deep issues
because we might feel hurt or ashamed, or we simply don’t know where
to begin; but like the woman, Jesus already knows our story.

As you look at the cistern, place yourself in the picture with Jesus. Where
do you stand or sit? What is it like to be there with him?

Begin an honest conversation with him about an issue in your life.
Notice which feelings arise as you speak. When you have finished, wait
quietly, giving him time to respond to you.

Perhaps he will tell you something about himself—his love,
his forgiveness—or about how he sees you.

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive
To my cry for mercy.

Psalm 130:1, 2

Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he
was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you

want?”or, “Why are you speaking with her?”
Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She
said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything

I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?”

John 4:27-29

Day 28

Come and See

The woman at the well has left her water jar behind in the excitement
of meeting Jesus. She has forgotten the reason why she went to the well
and about her thirst; instead she returns to her community to tell them
about Jesus, saying,

“Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done.”

The woman’s excitement must have been infectious, as her community
immediately made their way to Jesus.

Do you remember a time when you were excited about meeting Jesus?
Maybe it’s right now, or many years ago.

Take a pen and paper and retell the story in writing.
Remembering the woman’s words, “Come and meet the man who…”
How will you begin?

Try to recollect where you were, what happened and how it felt.
Who might you share your story with?

Please pray that our visitors will return to their communities full of
the wonder of all that they’ve encountered of the Lord in the Holy Land.

I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
 O magnify the Lord with me,

    and let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 34:1-3

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi,
sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him,
“Follow me.”

And he got up, left everything, and followed him.

Luke 5:27, 28

Day 29

Follow Me

Today we read the words that Jesus used to invite his disciples to jour-
ney with him: simply,

“Follow me.”

Imagine that Jesus is saying this to you; how do you feel?

Perhaps these words come as a surprise to you, as they did for Matthew,
or maybe you’ve heard them before. What do they mean to you now?

Does the Lord have a fresh call for you, or are his words an encourage-
ment to keep following him just as you are?

Levi left everything behind. Is there anything you need to release to
enable you to follow?

Spend some time in quiet prayer, as you think about this.

Pray for someone you know who has made changes to their life
because Jesus called them to a new place or ministry.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5, 6

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to
which Jesus directed them. When they saw him, they

worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said
to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given

to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that

I have commanded you.

And remember, I am with you always,
to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20

Day 30

I am With You

These words were Jesus’ final instructions for his followers before he
ascended to his Father.

Today, as you reach the end of your 30 days of devotional prayer, take
time to reflect on the past month. If you’ve been writing in a journal, use
this now to help you to reflect on the following:

Which were the most meaningful days of prayer for you?

Give thanks to Jesus for these times.

Which days were the most difficult or challenging?

Tell the Lord about these, asking for his wisdom to know whether
to hold onto these as areas for spiritual growth, or to let them go.

What has changed or been resolved in your relationship with the Lord
and with others?

Thank him for his grace.

In which ways have you grown in your faith?
Spend time with God giving thanks in worship and prayer.

Jesus promises,
“Remember, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20

Thank you for joining us at the Garden Tomb for your 30 days of
prayer. We hope that one day soon you will visit us to pray here
in person and experience for yourself the garden that could be the

place of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We look foward to welcoming you!

The Lord is near. 
Do not worry about anything,
but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God. 
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:5-7



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