Stay where you are and wait for someone else to take the first step.

Tell others about him, but keep your distance yourself.

Put off responding until you feel more ready.

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and gone my own way. I need your mercy and your saving love. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and give my life to you. I confess you as my Lord and Savior, and I want to follow you with a whole heart. Amen.

Come to Jesus Now

Lord, revive your Church when we hear that you are near. Forgive our delay, our passivity, and our tired hearts. Give us Martha's readiness to rise and seek you, and keep us from living as if you are distant. Wake us up to meet you with faith, hunger, and love, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Awaken Us to Move Toward You

Father, when I feel frozen, distracted, or slow to respond, lift me up and help me move toward Jesus. Give me courage to leave what keeps me seated and to come to him with honesty, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Grace for a Stuck Heart

Name one moment when you sense Jesus is near. Ask God for a willing heart, then pray for the first step you need to take today to move toward him.

Pray as Soon as You Notice Him

Give thanks that Jesus is not far off, that he comes near to ordinary homes and ordinary people, and that we can respond to him with trust rather than fear.

Thank You for Coming Near

Pray for someone who feels unable to move: that they would notice Jesus' nearness, rise with hope, and find courage to meet him in their need.

For Those Who Remain Seated

ἡ{hee###hee###(the)} οὖν{OON###OON###then} Μάρθα{MAR-tha###MAR-thah###Martha} ὡς{hos###hohs###when} ἤκουσεν{EE-koo-sen###EE-koo-sehn###(she) heard} ὅτι{HO-tee###HOH-tee###that} Ἰησοῦς{ee-ee-SOOS###ee-ee-SOOS###Jesus} ἔρχεται{ER-khe-te###EHR-kheh-teh###is coming} ὑπήντησεν{hee-PEEN-TEE-sen###hee-PEEN-TEE-sehn###met} αὐτῷ·{af-TO###ahf-TOH###him} ⸀Μαρία{ma-REE-a###mah-REE-ah###Mary} δὲ{DE###DEH###but} ἐν{en###ehn###in} τῷ{TO###TOH###the} οἴκῳ{EE-ko###EE-koh###house} ἐκαθέζετο{e-ka-THEE-ze-to###eh-kah-THEE-zeh-toh###was sitting}

John 11:20 — Source TextTAB

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