Keep holding to Jesus' message, even if it costs approval

Set Jesus' message aside until it is easier to receive

Push back with the same hostility you receive

Treat faith as private so it never shapes choices

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and followed my own way. I need your mercy and your truth. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and confess you as Lord. Receive me, make me yours, and let your word live in me. Amen.

Receive the Word-Giver

Lord, revive your Church to treasure the word you have given and to stand firm when the world pushes back. Where we have wanted comfort and approval more than faithfulness, turn us back to you. Make us people who belong to Jesus alone and live with courage in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Make Your Church Steady and Set Apart

Father, when I feel misunderstood or rejected because I follow Jesus, keep me from fear and compromise. Let your word anchor me, and remind me that I am not defined by the world's approval. Strengthen me to stay faithful in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Kept in Pressure

Name one place where you feel pressure to fit in. Ask God to show you how Jesus would have you respond, then ask for one clear act of loyalty you can do today.

Pray Through the Pressure to Blend In

Bring these to God: a deeper love for his word; freedom from needing the world's approval; a stronger sense that you belong to Jesus; and courage to live as someone set apart.

Growing in Belonging to Christ

Thank God for giving his word to his people and for Jesus' own faithful life outside the world's pattern. Thank him that belonging to Christ is stronger than rejection, and ask him to make that truth visible in your choices.

Thank You for Your Word and Your Son

ἐγὼ{e-GO###eh-GOH###I} δέδωκα{DE-do-ka###DEH-doh-kah###have given} αὐτοῖς{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###to them} τὸν{ton###tohn###the} λόγον{LO-gon###LOH-gohn###word} σου,{soo###soo###your} καὶ{KE###keh###and} ὁ{ho###hoh###the} κόσμος,{KOS-mos###KOHs-mohs###world} ἐμίσησεν{e-MEE-see-sen###eh-MEE-see-sehn###hated} αὐτούς,{af-TOOS###ahf-TOOS###them} ὅτι{HO-ti###HOH-tee###because} οὐκ{ook###ook###not} εἰσὶν{ee-SEEN###ee-SEEN###they are} ἐκ{ek###ehk###from} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###the} κόσμου{KOS-moo###KOHs-moo###world} καθὼς{ka-THOS###kah-THOHS###just as} ἐγὼ{e-GO###eh-GOH###I} οὐκ{ook###ook###not} εἰμὶ{ee-MEE###ee-MEE###I am} ἐκ{ek###ehk###from} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###the} κόσμου.{KOS-moo###KOHs-moo###world}

John 17:14 — FormalTAB

More on this verse