DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Assume the Best of Others’ Words and Actions

Kind Savior,
I find it so easy to take things personally and make negative assumptions about the words and actions of others. I want to change this. You call me not to conform to the world, but to be transformed. Since your Spirit is behind that change, I ask you to adjust my attitude and reframe my thoughts to align with yours. When I reflect on the things my neighbor says and the way s/he treats people, prompt me to filter everything through a positive lens. Direct me to consider the best intentions behind words and actions, and to hold to those assumptions until given a reliable reason not to. Allow this approach to spread all around me, so that society normalizes taking the words and actions of others in the kindest possible way. Let your light shine brightly in me and through me in this way.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For a Healthy Body Image

Lord God,
Your Word assures us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. While we marvel at the detail and design that went into creating mankind, the crown of your creation, we confess that we don’t always feel all that special. While women have traditionally struggled more with body image, men are not immune. Images of shirtless men sporting six packs or hitting the gym are widespread, and can leave those with dad bods discouraged and deflated. Lead guys to be realistic and reasonable about their physical appearances, and to be willing to share their struggles with others. Let us embrace taking care of our bodies as a natural part of our calling, and just one more way we can honor and thank you. Help us to view it as a privilege and not a pain, and let our worth be determined not by what we see in the mirror, but by remembering the price you were willing to pay to make us yours. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Victims of Injustice

Defender of the Helpless,
Come to the defense of those who are victims of injustice. Your Word reveals your heart for those who are mistreated, discriminated against, taken advantage of, or unjustly overlooked. When we witness these cruelties, we too easily turn a blind eye to them or even justify them. Forgive us for our dismissiveness when others need an advocate to intervene on their behalf, and we do nothing. Lead us to speak up and defend victims, coming to their aid in whatever manner we’re able. May we be a reflection of you, who came to rescue us when we were helpless victims of our own sinful circumstances. You helped us when we couldn’t help ourselves. Let us do the same for others whenever possible. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Halt Hostility and Uphold Life

God of Life,
There is so much unrest, violence, and war all over the world right now. Do not allow the everyday occurrences of deaths caused by killing and murder to permit us to become desensitized. Keep us from being so swift to defend the taking of a life that we are callously unconcerned about any life that was lost. Where laws are in place to minimize violence, maintain order, and protect life, let us uphold them and encourage others to do the same. When such laws are broken, whether by citizens or even by those entrusted to enforce them, bring lawbreakers to justice and let the consequences and punishment serve to deter others from such behavior. Comfort all mourning the senseless death of loved ones. By your mighty hand, protect life, curb violence, facilitate peace, and cause wars to cease. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Your Righteousness to Produce Righteousness in Me

King of Righteousness,
You came to be my sin and credit to me your righteousness. I now stand before you cleansed of all sin – because of you. I now stand before you in perfect righteousness – because of you. How can this be, but by faith! 

But my faith is not finished. Secure in your righteousness, my faith is driven to continue its pursuit of living in righteousness. Keep me in step with your Spirit, so that I do not wander from your paths. Strengthen my heart with the readiness and resolve to do the right thing, in everything, for you, my King. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Marvel at Jesus’ Baptism – and My Own

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. In many churches that follow the pattern of the church year, Jesus’ baptism will be the focus of worship today. At his baptism, not only did you voice your approval of your Son for those present to hear, but the anointing power of the Holy Spirit was also visible in the form of a dove. Armed with the strength of the Spirit, your Son set out to begin his ministry and to fulfill all that was necessary to achieve our salvation. Having accomplished all that needed to be done, he also established the blessing of baptism for us, connecting us through it to every benefit he secured for us. Let believers marvel at Jesus’ baptism, so they are led to deeply treasure their own. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Win Multitudes Over to Faith

Light of the World,
This week of Epiphany, we reflect on the wise men who journeyed to worship the Savior. I pray that you continue to lead multitudes today to seek him, to find him, and to believe in him. Whatever their motives may be, give them eyes of faith to see their salvation. In their newfound joy, use them to bring others to you. Add massive numbers of souls to your kingdom, using the gifts of all of those added to build up and build out your church. Then, bless and serve the world through your church to such a degree that has never been seen before in all of history. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Never Take the Gospel for Granted

Light of the World,
This week of Epiphany, we reflect on the wise men who journeyed to worship the Savior. How were their lives changed once they returned home? How long did they bask in the wonderment of personally witnessing their Savior? Did they struggle with the return to routine and the monotony of life back to normal? Were their lives so radically impacted by their experience that even the most mundane responsibilities in life took on newfound joy?

While we cannot know the answers to such questions, we can boldly ask that the jubilation of our salvation would never be muted in our lives. We can boldly ask that the certainty of a Savior for all permanently pushes us to give our best and to give our very selves to all that we do, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain. When we become complacent or unstirred by the gospel’s potency or primacy in our own lives, do whatever it takes to transport us back to the Epiphany. Help us see the Savior from the magi’s perspective, and spur on our spirit to give ourselves in wholehearted devotion to you and your gospel. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Keep Christ as Christmas Fades

Light of the World,
This week of Epiphany, we reflect on the wise men who journeyed to worship the Savior. It’s impossible to imagine the elation they must have experienced as the sight of their Savior with physical eyes merged together with their vision of him through eyes of faith. Surely they were overwhelmed with wonder! But eventually their visit had to end, and they needed to return home. How bittersweet to experience the longing for home tangled up with the urge never to leave the Savior’s side.

We know the bittersweet tug between not wanting the joy of Christmas to end while also craving the comfort of our structured schedules and normal routines. Be with those who are really struggling as the bright lights of Christmas fade. Caution those who are too eager to leave them behind in favor of workaholism or less meaningful pursuits. Allow the season of epiphany to continue shining the Savior’s light in its own unique way, and through it, reassure us that the Savior will never leave our side. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Serve You with My Best

Light of the World,
This week of Epiphany, we reflect on the wise men who journeyed to worship the Savior. Their journey, coupled with their determination to track down their Savior, would have been remarkable enough to reflect how much they treasured their King. But they didn’t stop there. Instead, they arrived bearing the costliest of gifts. They gave their best for the Best.

Help me to do the same in my service and my gift-giving to you. Let my acts of service be willing, joyful, and generous. Let my gifts flow freely and full of faith. You were born to serve me with your life and death, then raised again to rule the whole universe for my good. Use this precious truth to move and motivate my whole-hearted, all-in service to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.