The elders, the chief priests, and the scribes

Keep following Jesus, trusting his way even when it is costly

Avoid any hard step until life feels safe and easy

Assume that difficulty means Jesus' way must be wrong

Wait for proof that the road will never include loss

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and need your mercy. I believe you died for my sins and rose again on the third day. I turn from my sin and confess you as my Lord. Lead me in your way, even when it is costly. Amen.

Trust the Crucified and Risen Lord

Lord, revive your Church to trust your words when obedience is hard. Give us courage to follow you into costly faithfulness, to speak truth plainly, and to hold fast to resurrection hope. Wake us up to your way, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Renew the Church to Follow You

Father, for anyone facing suffering, fear, or painful news, give steady courage. Remind them that Jesus knows the road of loss and the hope beyond it, and keep them from despair, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Comfort for the Hard Road

Pray by naming one obedience that feels difficult. Ask God for clarity, courage, and a willing heart, and ask him to help you take the next faithful step even if it involves sacrifice.

Pray About One Costly Step

Bring these to God: your resistance to suffering, your fear of loss, your need to believe that Jesus' path is wise, and your desire to keep resurrection hope in view.

Grow in Trust When the Road Is Hard

Pray for elders, pastors, teachers, and all who speak in God's name: that they would not resist Christ, but would point people clearly to him, tell the truth faithfully, and lead with humility.

For Teachers and Leaders

Ἀπὸ{a-PO###ah-POH###From} τότε{TO-te###TOH-teh###then} ἤρξατο{EER-ksa-to###EER-ksah-toh###(He) began} ⸂ὁ{HO###HOH###(the)} Ἰησοῦς⸃{ee-ee-SOOS###ee-ee-SOOS###Jesus} δεικνύειν{deek-NEE-een###deek-NEE-een###to show} τοῖς{TEES###TEES###to the} μαθηταῖς{ma-thee-TES###mah-thee-TEHS###disciples} αὐτοῦ{af-TOO###ahf-TOO###his} ὅτι{HO-tee###HOH-tee###that} δεῖ{DEE###DEE###must} αὐτὸν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###he} ⸂εἰς{EES###EES###to} Ἱεροσόλυμα{hee-e-ro-SO-lee-ma###hee-eh-roh-SOH-lee-mah###Jerusalem} ἀπελθεῖν⸃{a-pel-THEEN###ah-pehl-THEEN###to go} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} πολλὰ{pol-LA###pohl-LAH###many things} παθεῖν{pa-THEEN###pah-THEEN###to suffer} ἀπὸ{a-PO###ah-POH###from} τῶν{TON###TOHN###the} πρεσβυτέρων{pres-vee-TE-ron###prehs-vee-TEH-rohn###elders} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἀρχιερέων{ar-khee-e-RE-on###ahr-khee-eh-REH-ohn###chief priests} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} γραμματέων{gram-ma-TE-on###grahm-mah-TEH-ohn###scribes} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἀποκτανθῆναι{a-pok-tan-THEE-ne###ah-pohk-tahn-THEE-neh###to be killed} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} τῇ{TEE###TEE###on the} τρίτῃ{TREE-tee###TREE-tee###third} ἡμέρᾳ{hee-ME-ra###hee-MEH-rah###day} ἐγερθῆναι.{e-yer-THEE-ne###eh-yer-THEE-neh###to be raised}

Matthew 16:21 — Source TextTAB

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