DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Dealing with Difficult Family Members

Loving Father,
Family relationships have the potential to be among the most treasured connections we have, as well as some of the most challenging. Since we generally tend to be as close to our family as we are to anyone else, that tight bond can amplify both the best and the worst of any relationships. Give me the awareness to recognize family members who manipulate the shared bond and twist it to induce guilt or shame on other family members. Grant me patience with difficult family members, as well as the courage to lovingly call them out whenever necessary. Let me be unafraid to call believing family members to repentance when they have sinned, and also unashamed to evangelize unbelieving family members. While I cannot change or control the behavior of my biological family, I am responsible for how I respond to them and handle them. Let me do so with a balance of firmness and grace, seeking always to do what is in the best interest of their eternal good.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Dealing with Difficult Friends

Friend of Sinners,
Friends are a special gift through which you provide many unique blessings. They can protect us from isolation and loneliness, we can enjoy events and experiences with them, engage in rich conversation, and share a variety of passions and interests together. Thank you for all that they bring into our lives.

Friends, though, like so many others in our lives, can also be difficult. Some struggle with confidentiality, passing along to others details of conversations that were shared in confidence. At times they can be unreliable, struggling to follow through or keep their word. There are also some friendships that are challenging because they tend to be very one-sided; we invest far more into them than we get out of them. When friends maintain destructive habits, reject our advice to their detriment, put us in bad situations, or tarnish our reputation, sustaining the relationship can be difficult. Give us patience and discernment when dealing with difficult friends, to know when we can make a sacrifice on their behalf, but also to avoid enabling them. Give us also the wisdom to be aware when it might be best for us to reconsider the friendship for our own good, and maybe theirs, too. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Dealing with Difficult Neighbors

Dear Lord,
When dealing with difficult neighbors, help me to keep in mind the importance of positive and productive interactions, since we regularly come into contact with our neighbors. If they are being inconsiderate or obnoxious, don’t allow that to justify an inconsiderate or obnoxious response from me. Instead, let me bring my concerns to them in humility and with a gentle spirit. When I feel they are being overbearing, nitpicking, or looking for reasons to complain about property upkeep or community guidelines, give me discernment in trying to alleviate their concerns with a level head. Lead us to strive to maintain peaceful relations for the greater good of the whole neighborhood, and let me be especially mindful of my treatment of them when seeking to build bridges to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Dealing with Difficult People

Lord God,
In our prayers this week, we’ll be looking to you for guidance and direction for dealing with difficult people in our lives. Hear our prayers, so that as we engage with hard people, we reflect you well and honor you in every interaction. Provide us with an increase in patience for all such communications. And, rather than viewing these discussions as a battle to be won, let the primary goal be arriving at the best possible solution for both parties.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Churches Without a Place to Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Those of us who have churches or locations in which to gather for worship can easily take them for granted. Believers all over the world gather without a building or sanctuary to call their own. Other churches struggle to make less than ideal spaces work for corporate worship. While worship doesn’t require walls or a roof, there are tremendous blessings that come with having a sacred space of one’s own for worship. Through things like intentional design components, architecture, artistic elements, and the layout of the sanctuary itself, there are many powerful ways to ensure that Jesus is clearly the focal point of our worship and life. Help believers without a space of their own overcome whatever obstacles stand in their way. Bring gifted people to their flocks who may have the talents or connections to get done what needs to get done to establish their own sacred space. While they wait on your timing, continue to nurture and edify them with your Word however and whenever they gather, building up the body of Christ while it waits for its place to worship Christ.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Husbands in an Abusive Marriage

Humble Savior,
In a world so broken by sin, even your sacred institution of marriage is too often damaged. When the roles of loving head and helper are confused, neglected, or abused, spouses end up wounded and hurt. Marriage is no place for abuse of any kind, and while attention is often focused on husbands being guilty of abuse, in some instances, husbands are the victims. 

Be with husbands who are in an abusive relationship. Where wives are guilty of abuse, give husbands self-control so that they do not respond with any sort of aggression or violence, but instead seek outside support and help. Intercede in any manner necessary to bring the abuse to an end and provide wives with the help and counseling they need. Since sin in some form or fashion is always the source of abuse, lead abusive wives to see their sin for what it is and repent of it. Then, whenever possible, allow forgiveness to follow so that reconciliation and healing can begin to take place and restore the bruised marriage bond.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS


For Self-Control in Response to Violence

Patient Lord,
There is so much in the world that is unsettling and upsetting. Violence and tragedy, whether current or in memory, always seem to be on our minds. Bring to justice all those responsible for despicable acts of hate-filled evil, and bring comfort, peace, and closure to all family and friends directly affected. 

While I won’t ever be able to put a stop to such terrible events or keep them from happening, I pray for you to help me control what I can: my response. I never want to become comfortable with sin and unrighteousness anywhere – including my own, but neither can I allow it to justify my uncontrolled or extreme response. We too easily let acts of outrage enrage us in return, and that response is not becoming of the godly men you set us apart to be. Let me always be in control of my reactions and manage my emotional responses in ways that uphold your holy name and reputation.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Know My Enemies – And to Love Them

God of Love,
You don’t just call me to be a neighbor and to love my neighbors, but also to love my enemies. While I may tend to think of extreme examples when I think about who my enemies are, give me a more discerning perspective on who you’re really calling me to love. You’re calling me to love my obnoxious family member who gets a kick out of ruffling everyone’s feathers. You’re calling me to love my blowhard coworker, who feels compelled to share a loudmouth opinion about everything. You’re calling me to love the person who, for reasons I cannot even explain, irritates me just by being in the same room. You’re calling me to love the person who is habitually unkind and downright cruel to others. You’re calling me to love my spouse, even when my needs aren’t being met. It isn’t easy to love such people, Lord! You, of all people, should know, for you love even me. Let that truth empower my love for others – even my enemies.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Be a Friend to Others

Friend of Sinners,
Men tend to isolate and keep to themselves more naturally than women. While there is nothing wrong with this on occasion, it shouldn’t be the norm. You created us to be relational creatures, and when overlook that reality, we miss out on many of the blessings that come along with friendships and connections with others. 

Grant me the self-awareness to know when I have been avoiding others or am keeping to myself for unhealthy periods of time. Even if it is out of my comfort zone, lead me to seek out social time and pursue friendships. And, help me be a friend to others. Keep me socially aware and tuned in so that I recognize when others may be isolating or avoiding people. If there isn’t a natural reason for it, give me the courage to check in with them and make sure they’re OK. Give me ears that are ready to listen when others need to talk, and lips filled with wisdom if the occasion calls for it. Give me your heart, Lord, so that I am willing to be a friend to others according to their needs. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Remain in Control of My Relationship with Alcohol

Lord God,
Your loving providence not only meets, but exceeds, all of our needs. Not only are our needs more than met by you, but you also generously give so many things that provide us with pleasure and enjoyment. We include alcoholic beverages among those. You point out in your Word that wine can gladden the heart and help cheer up those who are down. Jesus provided wine at Cana. Paul encouraged Timothy to drink wine to help with his health issues. Many pictures of the joys of heaven include banquets of rich food and wine. 

But when we take your good blessings too far, abuse them, or become enslaved by them, we sin. Your Word doesn’t hold back on the warnings against how dangerous and damaging alcohol can be when not appreciated in moderation. The sin of drunkenness is clearly condemned. Therefore, help me to always be aware of my relationship with alcohol, so that I don’t allow it to become a snare for me. Let me always be in control and know my limitations, so that it remains the blessing you intend it to be, and not a destructive force in my life or in the lives of those I love. Give me the ability to refrain and say no if it would ever become apparent that I might have a problem, and give others the courage to speak to me if they become concerned. I always want to honor you in all things, including my use of alcohol.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.