121 Days of Prayer

Brothers, I Am a Pharisee, a Son of Pharisees

The purposes of this prayer are: Spreading of the Gospel, Inspiration/Encouragement and Fortitude.

Merciful Lord, when Paul returned to Jerusalem from a missionary trip and went into the temple, he was accosted by a group of Jews who claimed that he was speaking out against their religion. While this group of people tried to kill Paul, the Roman guard rushed in to take him into custody (Acts 21:31). While still in the temple, “Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.’ When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) Then a great clamor arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees stood up and contended, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?’ When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks. That night the Lord stood near him and said, ‘Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.’” Acts 23:6–11 (NRSV). Lord, as we endure our trials and hardships, we pray that you bless us, like with Paul, with your encouraging presence. Be with us always, Jesus. Amen.