For each day of the week, you can read and reflect on a scripture passage. A short prayer follows the scripture suggestion.

The following can be your opening or concluding prayer:

Jesus, you call to my heart once more: “Leave anything that holds you back from deeper love. Come follow me, again and again.” Grant me the courage to leave behind whatever keeps me from you and to trust you with my life. May my heart’s connections with you be so strong and true that I will daily risk the road of following in your footsteps. Keep me open to the adventure of life where I meet you day by day. Remind me often of my inner goodness. Help me to believe that you look upon me with love. Thank you for the call to be your disciple. Amen.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Monday’s text:

Scripture passage: Luke 19: 1-10
Prayer: I am Zacchaeus. I, too, need to leave behind my concerns of what others will think of me. Jesus, when you approach my tree of life, when you ask to come to the home of my heart, may I be ready. Help me to respond to your call and to live the message of the gospel, even though I may experience criticism and rejection.

Tuesday’s text:

Scripture passage: Luke 1:26-38
Prayer: I am Mary of Nazareth. I must also leave some security behind. The challenge of the unknown is there for me. Jesus, you know the questions in my heart. When you send your messengers to me, I want to be open to receive them. May I say with deep trust in you, “Let what you have said be done in me.”

Wednesday’s text:

Scripture passage: John 21:15-23
Prayer: I am Peter. I am asked to let go of my desire to be perfect and to live with my own unfinished condition. Jesus, you loved Peter as he was. You love me as I am. May I not only respond yes to your question, “Do you love me?: but also say yes when you take me “where I would rather not go.”

Thursday’s text:

Scripture passage: Luke 5:27-28
Prayer: I am Levi, the tax collector. I must leave behind my strong ambitions for success and power. Jesus, help me to be more concerned about the process of my life and ministry than about the results and the success involved. Teach me what it means to leave everything and follow you.

Friday’s text:

Scripture passage: John 4:1-42
I am the Samaritan woman. I am asked to leave behind my doubts about my own self-worth. Jesus, you called this woman to appreciate her own goodness. In my moments of self-doubt and hesitation, fill me with a disciple’s heart. Help me to listen to you and to believe in your belief in me.

Saturday’s text:

Scripture: Luke 7: 36-50
Prayer: I am the woman who washed your feet, Jesus. You ask me to leave my old ways behind me. Fill me with true sorry for the times when I have wandered far from you and your message. I, too, can experience the generosity of your forgiveness when I come to you with the tears of repentance.

Sunday’s text:

Scripture: John 11:1-44
I am Lazarus. I need the call to come out from my tomb. I must leave whatever is dead or binding for my spirit. Jesus, you call me daily to greater spiritual freedom. As your disciple, may I grow in my ability to have a discerning heart. May I, too, be unbound and “set free.”

From Joyce Rupp’s Out of the Ordinary. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book, click here.