DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Courage to Seek Reconciliation (Part 2)

Spirit of Peace,
Regardless of the reason, whenever there is an issue between another believer and me, I pray that you provide me with courage to seek reconciliation. When my words or actions have been the cause for concern, and someone else desires to speak with me about it, let me be willing to, whether I feel it is necessary or not. In those situations, I may either be blind to the damage I may have done, or be unaware of how my behavior affected another person. Or, I could be aware, but feel justified on my end and stubbornly try avoid the other person. This is not loving to them, and will only cause more hurt. Make me always willing to listen, quick to accept responsibility, and eager to apologize, whether it is for my own sake or for the sake of the other person. Whenever this process happens, usher in your peace, and heal any hurts or hangups with your gift of reconciliation. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Courage to Seek Reconciliation (Part 1)

Spirit of Peace,
Regardless of the reason, whenever there is an issue between another believer and me, I pray that you provide me with courage to seek reconciliation. When I perceive another person’s words or actions to be the cause of discord, guard me from gossip, so that I don’t make things worse by fueling the discord even more. Instead, as soon as possible, enable me to address my concern with the individual with humble confidence. Let me be firm, but gentle, never seeking to get even or repay for some wrong, but to seek healing and restoration. When repentance is called for, let it be received well and allow it to bring about the confession and absolution that is necessary. Whenever this process happens, usher in your peace, and heal any hurts or hangups with your gift of reconciliation. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Be Filled With Joy All Day Long

Dear Jesus,
No matter what today brings me, keep me filled up with joy. Whether I experience highs or lows, remind me of who I am in you and what I have through you. The joy of salvation is mine, and nothing I encounter or experience today can take that away from me. Help me reflect that reality in my thinking, my words, my actions, and my attitude. As my joy becomes evident to others and they take note, equip me with the readiness and willingness to share the source of my joy – you – with them. Then, let your Holy Spirit capitalize on conversations like those to usher in the joy of salvation to fill the hearts of many more.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Accessibility of Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. While worshiping together with fellow believers is the ideal, thank you for all of the many ways you make services and parts of worship available for those unable to gather in person. Hymns and worship music can be heard and sung in a variety of ways. Sermons can be read, listened to, or viewed live or on demand via all kinds of media. We can pray along with other believers in real time, or pray written prayers whenever we wish to. Use all of the means of providing these digital and recorded blessings to edify believers everywhere, and even draw in unbelievers, too. At the same time, may their usage not be viewed by believers as a preferred option to gathering in person with the body of Christ. Keep the gathering together of the saints for worship as a high priority for all believers everywhere.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Extend Kindness to Others

Kind Savior,
In the always-busy, hectic pace of life by which our society lives, it’s so easy to forget about how we treat others. Even unintentionally, we can give people the impression that we don’t care about them or that they are unimportant to us, to say nothing of the times we deliberately mistreat or ignore others. 

Help me counter this trend by slowing down my own pace, allowing more margin for and in between my daily activities, and then consciously and intentionally looking for opportunities to be kind to others. Sometimes it may simply be a smile. Other times a nod or an affirming look. A kind gesture or act of kindness that is only a small or simple thing to me may end up being the highlight of another person’s day. Move me to be eager about spreading kindness, and free me to do so by focusing less on myself and more on how you might use me to bless others. Help me to show the gratitude I feel for your never-ending kindness to me by expressing kindliness toward others.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Value Your Gift of Time

Eternal Father,
Time is one of the most precious gifts you give us. Unfortunately, it often isn’t until a significant portion of time in our lives has passed us by that we realize it. When we are young, we feel as if time is an unlimited commodity. As we get older though, and unfinished tasks pile up, the window to achieving our hopes and dreams shrinks, and we see so many other lives cut short all around us, we treasure time more and more. Lead me to set aside time each day to give thoughtful consideration to how I intend to put your gift of time to use for those 24 hours. Limit the time that is so easily lost in useless or senseless activities. Guide me instead toward a profitable and fulfilling use of time that edifies, blesses, or serves others and me, while also bringing honor and glory to you.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Appreciate God’s Gift of Laughter

Joyful Savior,
Your gift of laughter is such a blessing in our fallen, sin-saturated world. It reminds us in a small way that gloom and despair exist on borrowed time, and will eventually meet their end when you return and replace them with eternal joy and delight. Thank you for the positive impact laughter can have on our mood and outlook. Whether the little unplanned bloopers in our day-to-day lives or the personalities and media which specialize in humor and comedy, these sources of laughter can cheer up wearied spirits and uplift heavy hearts. 

As with all good blessings from your hand, we can take them too far. Keep us from consuming comedy and laughter that crosses the line and is an affront to you. And, keep our own efforts within your boundaries for what is appropriate when we are seeking to make others laugh. Guard our lips from offensive language and swearing when attempting to entertain others. Keep us from inappropriate or course joking, and from the temptation to make jokes at the expense of others, which might cause them harm or distress or bring their reputation into question. Let us honor you in our support of clean comedy and humor that allows us to appreciate and treasure your gift of laughter.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Let My Worries Prompt My Prayers

Loving Savior,
It’s not always easy to know what I ought to pray for. Your Word is the best source to guide and inform our prayers. Since in your Word, you invite us to bring everything to you in prayer, help me view the things that cause me concern as opportunities for prayer. When I worry, lead me to pivot my worry into prayer. In that way, you address both my worry and my struggles of what to pray for.

My worries can – and should! – be brought to you in prayer at all times. When I take my worries to you, redirect my thoughts to you and your gracious promises. Finally, assure me that you hear my prayer and will answer my anxieties in the best way possible.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Be Willing to Own My Wrongs

Patient Lord,
It’s not easy to admit when I’ve been in the wrong. What is easy is getting defensive when someone points out my faults, accuses me of sin, or implies that I should have handled a matter differently. When these situations arise, so does my pride, which gets stirred up whenever it senses my reputation is in question. I then seek to defend, excuse, justify, blame, and even flat out deny the possibility of any error or wrongdoing on my part.

Instead, lead me to swap out my pride for a humble spirit that seeks first to understand the matter. Then, let me be willing to admit fault and own whatever wrong is mine to own. Finally, never let me shy away from an opportunity to apologize, repent, and ask for forgiveness. Rather than being so self-assured and confident of my own self-righteousness, grant me the self-awareness and willingness to first review my own thoughts, words, and actions with a measure of skepticism. Cause me to be open to analyzing my role from the perspective of what I could have done or said differently to avoid things ending up the way they did. Let me be so confident of your grace and forgiveness, that I never have to deceive myself or others into thinking that I am not in need of it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Prioritize My Salvation

Lord of Salvation,
Nothing should concern us more than the matter of our salvation. Scripture paints such a terrifying picture of hell that we must conclude that Satan and sin are nothing to be trifled with. Yet the same Scripture points to the clear certainty of salvation solely through the work of our Savior. It leaves no doubt for anyone seeking the answer to the question of what happens to us after this life. 

Keep us from allowing other concerns and distractions in our lives to crowd out the matter of our salvation. Although Jesus took care of it entirely for us, Satan tries relentlessly to take it away from us. While he cannot undo the work of salvation carried out by Jesus, Satan can convince us that our busy schedules don’t permit the time it takes to keep us close to Jesus. Since he cannot take salvation away from us, he tries to take us away from our salvation. He does this by trying to cut us off from Word and Sacrament. Help us fight that battle daily and remain tethered to you by faith, so that our salvation is never in jeopardy. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.