A Journey in the Wilderness—Station 1 A Table in the Wilderness for Jesus

Published April 21, 2026

Updated April 22, 2026

Desert Graphic

This prayer path station is connected to the worship series, 
"A Table in the Wilderness

Prayer Path Introduction: A Journey in the Wilderness
Station 1 | Station 2 | Station 3  | Station 4
  Station 5 | Station 6Station 7 | Station 8  

First Prayer Station

A Table in the Wilderness for Jesus

Temptation in the wilderness
"Temptation in the Wilderness," Briton Rivière, Public Domain
Opening Prayer

O Lord, can you really spread a table in the wilderness of life? Walk with me as I walk this path of the cross with honest questions of life in my heart and my face turned to find the table you have spread in the wilderness for so many before me, and now also for me. Amen.

Reading

At that time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
—Mark 1:9–13 NIV

Reflect 

[Insert wondering questions about the Scripture text and/or picture you are using, or use the following:]

Jesus’ baptism must have been a spiritual highlight for him.
Why did the Spirit then immediately send him into the wilderness?
What do I notice and feel as I look at this picture?
How lonely and tempted am I?
Can God really provide a table in the wilderness of loneliness and temptation?

Christ Speaks: Words of Encouragement

Take heart, my child. I will not let the cross you bear grow beyond your endurance.
My Father attends you. He is your Father too.
All that is needed God’s hands will provide.

Closing Prayer 

We adore you, O Christ,
and we bless you because by your life,
your death, and your resurrection
you have shown us how God always spreads
a table in the wilderness
in the face of all our fears.
Amen.


This prayer station is linked to the first Sunday of Lent in the series "A Table in the Wilderness"