DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Prayers from the Prodigal (Part 4)

Forgiving Father,
Through the “lost” parables in Luke 15, we become aware of how radical your grace truly is.
When I am on the receiving end of your compassion and see your capacity for forgiveness, it leaves me a changed man. To be freely welcomed and fully forgiven for all that I have ever done wrong is not only life-changing, but eternity-altering! With this as my reality, there is no place for bitterness or grudges against others when they sin against me. How can I possibly withhold forgiveness from anyone else while standing before a gracious Father who has not chosen to treat me that way? No, let my willingness to forgive others be a perfect reflection of your faithful willingness to forgive me. The world does not need more unmerciful servants, but more forgiving fathers. Help me to be one.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Prayers from the Prodigal (Part 3)

Forgiving Father,
Through the “lost” parables in Luke 15, we become aware of how radical your grace truly is. Regardless of which son we identify with – the prodigal young son or the prideful older son – we need the same thing: the forgiving father. And in you, we have just that!

As we stumble our way through this life and press on toward our heavenly home, some naturally assume that rigid rules and the threat of a strict, stern disciplinarian are necessary to keep everyone on track. But yours is a better way! Your unconditional love, your open arms, your warm welcome – these are what draw sinners to you. Moreover, it is your heart for us – not the terror or fear we feel – that keeps us on the path of your righteousness to the open door that leads to eternal life. You paid a dear price to be able to forgive us again and again and again, and the sacrifice of your own Son is our only hope for being welcomed to our eternal home. Oh, how we need a forgiving Father! And there you are, always welcoming this lost-on-his-own son, with open arms and gushing with grace. Thank you!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Prayers from the Prodigal (Part 2)

Forgiving Father,
Through the “lost” parables in Luke 15, we become aware of how radical your grace truly is. The father’s compassionate patience toward his older son becomes even more real to us when our eyes are opened to see how often we are that older son. While grace is by definition undeserved, we cannot escape the notion that grace is for good people and not for bad people. In our own minds, we create a narrative in which we frame ourselves to be righteous, morally superior, and filled with good intentions. When we see grace extended to those who don’t have their act together like we do, we sulk and pout just as the older brother did.  

I confess to thinking so highly of myself and so little of others. Forgive me for failing to be honest when my acts of righteousness aren’t really out of loving gratitude for you, but rather to puff up myself and pad my own spiritual resumé. Strip me of my pride and lead me instead to rejoice every time your grace wins anyone over. Welcome this prideful sinner back again, as you have so many times before, with open arms and gushing with grace. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Prayers from the Prodigal (Part 1)

Forgiving Father,
Through the “lost” parables in Luke 15, we become aware of how radical your grace truly is. The father’s compassionate welcome of his wayward younger son becomes even more real to us when our eyes are opened to see how often we are that younger son. Rather than finding joy and satisfaction being in the presence of his father, he chose to chase after material things. Rather than faithfully serving his father and family at home, he served himself and went his own way. 

I see myself in him so often! To have you is not enough – I deceive myself into thinking that the world has something that will satisfy me more, so I chase after this and that, only to end up empty-handed. I live for me rather than for you and my fellow believers and my neighbors in need. When I fall into these traps, turn me, like the younger son, away from it all and lead me to run back to you with a repentant heart. Welcome this selfish sinner back again, as you have so many times before, with open arms and gushing with grace. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Unable to Worship in Person

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Today I pray for all those who long to be able to gather for worship, but are not able to. Many are homebound because they are not physically strong or healthy enough to attend in person. Others may be experiencing emotional or even spiritual struggles hindering their ability to be in a group setting or around certain people. Work schedules can be a challenge to navigate when they overlap with worship times. A lack of proximity to a church can also affect believers’ ability to worship. 

For all these believers, provide them with the means to continue to feed and nourish their faith. If technology allows, may it be a blessing that enables them to benefit from worship in some capacity. Provide them with pastors, leaders, and members in their church who serve them with your Word and Sacrament and provide for their needs. As you see fit, intervene to alter their circumstances or remove obstacles keeping them from being able to worship, and allow them to gather in your house again.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Trust to Lead Confidently

Mighty God,
The Bible shows us multiple pictures of men who lacked confidence when you called them to lead. They carry insecurities, self-doubt, and point to their personal flaws as evidence that they are unqualified. They often asked for signs or miracles from you to reassure them and boost their confidence.

I can relate. I often feel inadequate and unqualified to carry out the tasks to which you have called me. It’s difficult enough just to lead myself. Where a wife and family come into the picture, it’s natural to feel ill-equipped to lead them spiritually, too. Nor do I always feel like I am the right guy to serve in my church. 

Just as you reassured reluctant men of God in the Bible, so also reassure me. Lead me to direct my focus on you rather than in the mirror. Show me how to trust in your promises rather than my own lack of potential. Help me place my confidence in you rather than self. Make me bold, give me a spirit of certainty, grant me your power to faithfully follow anywhere you lead me, and the determination to serve you and others steadfastly. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Mature in My Faith

Dedicated Savior,
Your grace is not just what brought me to faith, but also what keeps me in the faith and grows my faith. But I so easily take it all for granted. I let other preoccupations become priorities. I get busy doing things that seem urgent and important right now, but have no bearing on my spiritual health or my eternity. 

In your gracious forgiveness, both wash me and work in me to desire more of the things you desire for me. If I am to be a godly man of faith, direct me to your Word so that through it, you can create in me a hunger for spiritual growth that seeks to be satisfied by time spent with you. Let your Word dwell in me richly each day, develop a disciplined prayer life in me, and deepen my drive to engage with and commit to my church family and community. Make these requests a reality, so that through them you may grow me into the mature man of God you created me to be.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For You to Be Enough During the Down Times

Lord God,
Every season of life is going to include its own changes and transitions. While many of these will be positives, I will also have my share of negative changes. When those negative shifts take place, or I’m in limbo awaiting the outcome of a certain situation, allow me to remain grounded no matter what. When my joy, my satisfaction, and my fulfillment all rest in you, then whatever happens doesn’t determine my happiness. 

Let my spirit and attitude echo that of the psalmist who wrote of being satisfied in the morning with your love (Ps. 90:14). Even when my circumstances sour and my life may not be on the track I had hoped for at any given point, let it be more than enough that I have you. Grant me peace of mind not only when life goes as planned, but even when it doesn’t. Be my rock and my constant refuge at all times, good and bad.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Help Me Repent Rightly (Part 3)

Suffering Savior,
Since one of the themes of the lenten season is repentance, help me to repent rightly. When the law accuses and convicts me of my sin, I respond in genuine contrition, taking full responsibility for my sin. The gospel then directs me to the sweet comfort and assurance of forgiveness that are mine through Jesus Christ. Finally, repentance shows itself by the fruit that follows.

When I have wronged or harmed others, my repentant heart yearns to do what I can to make it right. While such actions on my part have no bearing on my forgiveness, which was won fully and freely by Christ, they do serve my neighbor affected by my sin. Moreover, right repentance never sees forgiveness as permission to carelessly fall back into my sin without fear, but rather the freedom from being enslaved by that sin and the motivation to press on to overcome it. So I ask you, Lord, not only to work in me the awareness of my sin and the assurance of my forgiveness, but also the awakening of my freedom from sin’s chains, which empowers me to live a changed man. In your grace, work this kind of right repentance in me.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Help Me Repent Rightly (Part 2)

Suffering Savior,
Since one of the themes of the lenten season is repentance, help me to repent rightly. Repentance includes contrition, which is much more than just mouthing the words, “I’m sorry.” But it also involves much more than just feeling sorry or being weighed down by our guilt. We aren’t seeking to impress God by wallowing in the guilt and shame of our sin. Repentance doesn’t conclude with contrition; rather, that is just the beginning.

Repenting rightly means turning toward you, Lord, and laying our sin – along with all its accompanying guilt and shame – at the foot of the cross. Then, in faith we look up to you and see the price you paid to ensure our sin has been paid for in full. Yes, repentance includes embracing our forgiveness and trusting that you do not and will not ever hold our sin against us! This is the joy of repentance, and it allows us to confess and own our sins – because you owned the consequences and condemnation of our sin for us. Let us never tire of turning from our sin toward you, our Savior, in daily repentance.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.