Move toward hurting or shamed people with steady presence

Keep a safe distance so their pain does not disrupt you

Treat their suffering mainly as a lesson to analyze

Wait until they become easier to help before you show up

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, you were crucified for me, and I need your mercy. I confess that I have sinned and cannot save myself. I turn from my sin and believe that you died for me and rose again. Forgive me, wash me clean, and be my Lord and Savior. I give myself to you. Amen.

Receive the Crucified Lord

Lord, revive your Church to look again at Jesus in the center of the cross. Where we have grown comfortable with his suffering, awaken reverence; where we have kept our distance from the hurting, teach us compassion. Make us a people who follow the crucified Christ with courage and love, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Christ at the Center Again

Father, draw near to anyone who feels surrounded by shame, loneliness, or pain. Let the nearness of Jesus give them comfort, and let them know they are not forgotten, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Near to the Ashamed

Pray by naming one place where Jesus has drifted from the center of your attention. Ask God to bring the cross back into view, then ask for one clear step of obedience you can take today.

Pray for a Centered Life

Give thanks for Jesus' willingness to be crucified, for his solidarity with the rejected, and for the hope his suffering brings to sinners.

Thank Him for the Cross

Pray for someone who is hurting, overlooked, or shut out. Ask God for a patient spirit, practical compassion, and the courage to stay near them this week.

Presence for the Overlooked

ὅπου{HO-pou###HOH-pou###where} αὐτὸν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###him} ἐσταύρωσαν,{e-STAV-ro-san###eh-STAV-roh-sahn###they crucified} καὶ{KE###keh###and} μετʼ{met###meht###with} αὐτοῦ{af-TOO###ahf-TOO###him} ἄλλους{AL-loos###AHL-loos###others} δύο{DEE-o###DEE-oh###two} ἐντεῦθεν{en-TEF-then###ehn-TEHF-thehn###from here} καὶ{KE###keh###and} ἐντεῦθεν,{en-TEF-then###ehn-TEHF-thehn###from here} μέσον{ME-son###MEH-sohn###in the middle} δὲ{DE###DEH###and} τὸν{TON###TOHN###(the)} Ἰησοῦν{ee-ee-SOON###ee-ee-SOON###Jesus}

John 19:18 — FormalTAB

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