Come away by yourselves

The following ideas were used at the Mission Ireland Day in Edenderry on 6 September 2008.

The theme for the day was ‘Come away by yourselves for a while..' from Mark 6:31 and this was the inspiration for the first of 3 prayer bases:

1) Come away by yourselves for a while

Starting point

Mark 6:30-34
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Development of the idea

In Mark 6:6-13 we read of Jesus sending out the twelve and that they preached repentance, drove out demons, anointed sick people and healed them.

In verse 30 the disciples are gathering around Jesus telling him all about it, and still people are coming. It's a picture of activity and involvement, and Jesus calls them away from that busyness to be in a quiet place with Him and to rest with Him.

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

The people ran round the shore so when they got to the other side the crowds were waiting for them again, and the story continues in verses 35-44 with the Feeding of the Five Thousand. So more ministry, and a miracle, awaits them on the shore. But for now, quiet and rest in Jesus' presence.

What must that have been like? - out in the boat, in the peace and calm with Jesus?

Click on the image to enlarge

Picture yourself there -
what busyness have you left behind?
what activities/work/ministry is ahead of you?

But now - in the quietness of the boat - what do you want to say to Jesus?
What do you want to ask Him?
Or do you just want to enjoy being with Him?

Prayer Base

Main focus was a cross. It was draped with mesh fabric to give an echo of a fishing boat. Cream fabric (sheeting) behind helped it to stand out

Pictures - views of the Sea of Galilee from the internet. A couple of them were A3 and laminated because a friend offered - but A4 can still make a good display. [samples in Appendix I]

Other items

a Bible open at the passage
the passage printed on a card
sheets / cards (vary the size to make the display more interesting) with other Bible
verses or verses from appropriate hymns. [examples in Appendix I - but there are lots of others you might think of]
lighting for effect (only have candles lit while prayer room supervised)
a couple of books of prayers/reflections

Takeaway
(some people may not want one, but it's good to have enough for everyone attending)
small cards with the main verse on - ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place'. [available in Appendix I ]
There was also a notice inviting people to take a card -
‘This verse would make a nice bookmark, but by the time you open your Bible, you've already drawn aside to be quiet with God. So the cards are like business cards - to go in your purse, wallet or diary - to remind you in the busyness of life to seek time with God.'

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