An Unordinary Gift – The Presidential Prayer Team

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses from the entire Bible. It is a powerful and succinct declaration of the gospel message, and a wonderful reminder of the unconditional, limitless love of God. No matter how many times this verse is read, there is still something new that can be learned from it.

During Jesus’ ministry on Earth, a Pharisee named Nicodemus visited Him in secret to genuinely talk about the message Jesus was preaching. It was during this conversation that Jesus gave this one-sentence message of the gospel. This sentence was a game-changer among God’s people. Most of the Jews during Jesus’ time believed that God did not love the entire world. For Him to challenge that thought was revolutionary. Jesus took it a step further by describing the vast scope with which God showed His love, through giving the most precious gift He could give: His only Son.

This message brought new hope to the world. This removed all limits of God’s love and opened His gift of salvation to everyone. Can you imagine what it would have felt like to hear this news for the very first time? There is nothing ordinary about God’s gift of redemption to the world, no matter how many times it is shared. As you pray today, thank Him for His amazing gift. Pray that the United States’ governing officials would receive God’s gift of redemption, and work to follow Him in their jobs.

Today’s Verse: John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Romans 10:5-13

⁵For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. ⁶But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷“or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ¹²For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ¹³For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”