DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Strong Followers

Humble Savior,
I know the importance of praying for leaders, but I often overlook the blessing of solid, strong followers. Thank you for those who have the humility to follow others in leadership. Use them to uplift and uphold leaders through their encouragement and validation. Give followers the ability to ask good questions of their leaders that challenge them without being abrasive or disrespectful. Make them willing to carry out the necessary work as directed by those in charge, even when that work is difficult or unpleasant. Prompt them to pray for their leaders, speak kindly of them and to them, and in every possible way, show their love and support so that the labor of leaders is a joy and delight. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Grow in Confession

God of Grace,
I want to more fully appreciate your gift of grace. In order for that to happen, I need to grow in identifying my sin and acknowledging it to you. Help me make this practice of confessing my sin a regular part of my life. Through repentance, not only am I forced to face the frequency of my sin, but also trained to regret the frustrating repetition of it, leading me to despise my sin as I should. Most importantly, the more aware I am of my sin, the more deeply I appreciate that your grace completely covers it. When I get better at being real about my sin, instead of excusing, justifying, or downplaying it, that is when your grace becomes more and more real to me, too. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Blessings of Accessibility in Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Thank you for the many technological advances that make worship accessible to so many. Those physically unable to gather in person for worship can watch or listen along online. Smartphones aid the visually and audibly impaired in truly amazing ways, removing so many barriers that would have hindered their worship in the past. A screen can assist the single parent managing multiple little ones, as well as the elderly whose arthritic hands might otherwise struggle with heavy hymnals. A printed service folder may allow an unfamiliar first-time worshiper to follow along more easily at first. Numerous apps and online services both expand the ways we can give while also simplifying the gift-giving process. Thank you for all of these advances. Give us prudence to utilize them wisely, and lead us to regularly rejoice over so many channels by which so many have access to their Savior and his grace. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Feeling the Weight of Worry

Powerful Lord God,
We are often overwhelmed by worry. Some have difficulty imagining anything other than worst-case scenarios playing out in their lives. At that level, virtually anything all day long can be cause for concern. Such worry is not only harmful physically, but it also fertilizes the seeds of doubt that seek validation when worries play out as the worrier feared. That kind of worry turns us from, not to you, Lord.  

Remind those weighed down by worry that you are always in control, and that you promise to bring good out of all things. You will always deliver us from harm, either around it altogether, through it to the other side, or home to heaven as a result of it. With that confidence, we have nothing to fear. Suffocate our worry with a deeper trust in your Word, where we learn to lean on your promises and where our troubled hearts find peace in you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Children Without Parents

Abba Father,
Come to the aid of children without their biological parents. Heal the hurting hearts of those who lost their parents through tragedy. Soothe the troubled minds of those given up for adoption who feel unwanted and struggle with abandonment issues. Bring peace to those bearing the weight of shame because of incarcerated parents. In all situations like these, provide loving and nurturing environments for children to be cared for and raised. Richly bless those willing to step in and make sacrifices to love these needy little ones. If they don’t already know you, allow them to be introduced to you, their loving Heavenly Father. Point them to the cross so that they may know the depth of your love. Then, enable these children to love others deeply because they know how deeply loved they are by you. Meet all of their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in accordance with your lavish generosity. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Courage to Do the Right Thing

Mighty God,
I regularly find myself in situations with the opportunity to do the wrong thing. I am invited to join in the gossip. I am nudged to have one more drink than I should. I am pressured to misuse your gift of sex. The list goes on. I don’t pretend that all of these are someone else’s fault, either, as I am well aware that I am only tempted by them because of my own sinful inclinations. As much as possible, therefore, give me the wisdom to avoid putting myself in those situations in the first place. Nevertheless, when I do face them, give me the courage of faith to do the right thing. Help me control my thoughts and desires. Curb any sinful urges within me. Provide a way out, as you promise to, and open my eyes both to see and to seize that way out. Create in me the genuine desire to be more eager to be a good and godly influence than to allow myself to be negatively influenced and misrepresent you. When I fail, be there with your grace to turn my forgiven failures into the motivation to do right the next time.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Delight in Holy Communion

Precious Savior,
Whether the burden of guilt I carry over my sin is heavy or light, deepen my love for the privilege of receiving the Lord’s Supper to lift that burden entirely. When I acknowledge and confess my sin in humble penitence, you invite me to remember the dear price you paid for that sin, along with its guilt and shame. In a miraculous way that defies intellect and demands faith, you bring together your body and blood with bread and wine, so that what I receive with my mouth also restores my soul. And, sharing this sacred meal with fellow believers united by the same confession of faith, conviction of sin, and confidence of forgiveness, edifies and encourages us collectively. Therefore, gather together the communion of saints regularly for Holy Communion, so that through their proclamation of your death, you refresh their spirits and rejuvenate them to faithfully carry out their Christian calling. Help me to hold this blessing close to my heart and treasure it always.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Love and Care for My Body and Life

Loving Father,
While I acknowledge that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I must confess that I do not always reflect that in how I take care of – or rather neglect – my body. Indeed, if the attention and care I give to my physical health serve to indicate how much I value my body and life, I am embarrassed to admit the conclusion anyone would have to draw. I am sorry. Forgive me.

Thankfully, that is exactly what you do: forgive me. I do not live under shame or guilt, but under grace. You do not delight in finding fault, but in forgiving. The new life you daily call me to live in through my baptism is not merely spiritual, but flows into the blessing of physical as well. Since you redeemed not just my soul, but my body as well, steer me away from viewing it pessimistically or speaking of it pejoratively, and elevate how I view my own body. Whatever size and shape it is, help me to embrace and love it as you do – a gift to be cared for. Instill in me a healthy mindset that celebrates progress over perfection regarding exercise, working out, and anything that seeks to avoid being overly sedentary. Thank you for my body and life, and for the godly desire to treasure and care for them.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Embrace Summer

Gracious Lord,
As the summer months officially begin, open my eyes to both the opportunities and the obstacles. Even a slightly different work, school, or social schedule during the summer can mean new or additional openings in my day for focused learning, exploring hobbies, expanding skills, or discovering new interests. Vacation and travel plans open doors to unique experiences and meeting new people. Thank you for these and so many other opportunities.

At the same time, getting out of the daily structure and routine can also throw off healthy habits. Exercise and workouts can fall by the wayside as a result. Regular worship and time in your Word can slip into inconsistency. When sleep patterns are thrown off, our days are often affected. Keep me alert to these challenges so that I remain resilient throughout any changes, and can welcome and embrace all that summer offers.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Marvel at the Mystery of the Trinity

Triune God,
Sundays are sacred. On this Sunday, many Christian churches focus on the mystery of the Trinity. We marvel not only at the complexity of this teaching, but also the comfort it brings us. That you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – yet one God, not three – should work in perfect harmony to accomplish your unified goal of my salvation, leaves me amazed by your gracious love and divine direction for my life and eternity. When I struggle with doubt and confusion, failing to make sense of you as my triune God, let this teaching remind me that you are on your own divine level. The Creator does not need to explain himself to the created, as if I could grasp your glorious wonder anyway. Instead, keep me in reverent awe of you. Let the Church continue to faithfully confess you, the true and triune God, always. 

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.