Key Thought

We pray in Jesus' name. Why? Because Jesus is our mediator and the Holy Spirit is our intercessory. They give us the right to go directly to God with the burdens of our hearts, the struggles of our lives, and the weakness in our faith. We go boldly as God's beloved children, with Jesus, our older brother, as our advocate. We go confidently, knowing that the Holy Spirit makes our words and our unspeakable feelings known to God according to his will. Because of Jesus' work for us at the Father's side, and because of his gift to us of the Holy Spirit, we can speak directly to the Creator of the Universe and know we are heard and that God responds. Incredible!

Today's Prayer

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Father, God of all creation and LORD of the universe and history, thank you for hearing my prayers, knowing my heart, and bidding me come to you as your child. I know that you provide this grace to me at the cost of Jesus' leaving heaven and coming to earth to die for me. I pray that my life will be a fitting tribute and praise for all that you have done for me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

"After a short time you won't see me. Then after another short time you will see me again." Some of the followers said to each other, "What does Jesus mean when he says, 'After a short time you won't see me. Then after another short time you will see me again'? And what does he mean when he says, 'Because I am going to the Father'?" The followers asked, "What does he mean by 'a short time'? We don't understand what he is saying." Jesus saw that the followers wanted to ask him about this. So Jesus said to the followers, "Are you asking each other what I meant when I said, 'After a short time you won't see me. Then after another short time you will see me again'? I tell you the truth. You will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but your sadness will change to happiness. When a woman gives birth to a baby, she has pain, because her time has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the pain. She forgets because she is so happy that a child has been born into the world. It is the same with you. Now you are sad. But I will see you again and you will be truly happy. You will have a happiness that no one can take away. In that day you will not ask me for anything. I tell you the truth. My Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. You have never asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive. And you will be truly happy. "I have told you these things, using words that hide the meaning. But the time will come when I will not use words like that to tell you things. I will speak to you in plain words about the Father. In that day you will ask the Father for things in my name. I am saying that I will not need to ask the Father for you. No! The Father himself loves you. He loves you because you have loved me. And he loves you because you have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father." Then the followers of Jesus said, "You are speaking clearly tous now. You are not using words that are hard to understand. We can see now that you know all things. You can answer a person's question even before he asks it. This makes us believe that you came from God." Jesus said, "So now you believe? Listen to me. A time is coming when you will be scattered. Each of you will be scattered to his own home. That time is now here. You will leave me. I will be alone. But I am never really alone, because the Father is with me. "I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world!"

— John 16:16-33 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.