DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Take the Time to Rest in You

Dear Jesus,
So much of our lives is spent trying to make a good impression on others. We vie for our parents’ affection as we compete with siblings for the coveted status of favorite child. We aim to impress the teacher as the star student. We want to get noticed by the coach to get playing time. 

How different is our relationship with you, Lord! It isn’t based on our performance or perfection, but on your grace. You chose us to be yours and made it so. You worked it all out so that every requirement, down to the smallest detail, was satisfied. I know and believe this to be true, but I also take it for granted and rob myself of the peace and serenity that flow from your completed work on my behalf. Move me to embrace the place you secured for me in your family, and to daily de-stress by seeking you for rest. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Hear and Do

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. My prayer today for worship is that I do not merely hear your Word, but that I also consider how to put it into practice. You provide so much guidance and direction for my life, as well as countless powerful promises. Yet, as powerful as your Word is, when I allow it to merely go in one ear and out the other, without applying it in my life, I am testing more than I am trusting. Build up my trust by spurring me on toward action with your gracious promises this week. Let your Word flourish in and through me as I strive not just to hear, but also to do. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Live a Holy Life in Step With the Spirit

Holy Father,
When my life doesn’t reflect the holy life you have set me apart to live, it isn’t because I am unaware of what that should look like. And, it isn’t because you have failed to keep your promises to fill me with your overflowing grace that enables me to walk in step with the Spirit. Rather, my own lack of discipline and spiritual apathy work like quicksand to suck me into worldly living. And while it is often easier to walk in step with the world, the outcome is disappointing at best, and destructive at worst. Have mercy on me! Spur on the new man in me to consider each day what living righteously in my life looks like. Give me the determination to make the choices, speak the words, and take the actions that are in keeping with holiness. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Practice Patience More

Patient Lord,
You praise patience in your Word. Jesus modeled it perfectly during his life and ministry. You also deal with me patiently, not treating me as my sins deserve, but mercifully forgiving all my sins – including my impatience. I ask you not only to continue to deal with me patiently, but also to grant me more patience in my life. Keep me from rash responses and immediately overreacting with my family members when what is really called for is simply patience. Enable me to remain patient when others make mistakes or disregard directions, so that I am in a proper frame of mind to offer constructive correction. Help me practice patience not just in the presence of others, but also when no one else is around. Lead me to be as patient with others as you are with me. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Live Daily in Confession

Gracious Father,
Although I strive to live along your path of righteousness, I cannot hide that even my best efforts leave me stumbling off that path more times than I could ever number. My own waywardness prompts not only my commitment to do better, but also my confession when I have strayed. Let it be for me a daily practice to come before you with an honest and open heart, laying before you my sins and failures. Do not allow me to deceive myself in pretending that I could hide my faults from you. Move me to come clean in your presence. Equip me with the discernment to uncover the idols hidden in my heart so that you may purify me by your grace and cleanse me with your unconditional forgiveness. Wash away my sins, renew my soul and spirit, and lead me back along your path of righteousness. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Seek First Your Kingdom and Your Righteousness

Lord God,
You promise me that when I seek your kingdom and your righteousness first, I don’t need to worry about the necessities, for you will provide for all of them. Nevertheless, even when my priorities are out of order, and I allow your kingdom and righteousness to drop down on my priority list, you still provide for me no matter what. How good you are to me! Let your goodness inspire my devotion and my dedication to you and to the labor that impacts and builds up your kingdom. Let spiritual concerns be on the receiving end of my best efforts. Empower me with your Spirit through your Word, so that I am equipped to effectively carry out my callings in and for your kingdom.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Be More Decisive

God of Wisdom,
When I am wrestling with endless responsibilities and decisions to make, it can feel overwhelming. Then, when I feel overwhelmed, I feel the pull to put off, to procrastinate, or just to avoid doing anything at all – even though I know from experience that doing so only makes matters worse!

Help me overcome indecision and spur me on to take action – any action. Indecision can be so crippling; sometimes, even making the wrong decision is the better alternative, since it gets me a step closer to the right solution. Grant me the confidence to be decisive and to trust you to guide me in the way that is best. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Whatever I Need to Better Help My Neighbor

Loving Lord,
You call on us so many times in Scripture to serve our neighbor in so many different ways, and the good news of the gospel works in us the desire to do just that. Since you promise to provide us with whatever we need to carry out what you direct us to do, I pray that you give me the understanding to determine the needs of others. Prompt me to ask thoughtful questions when needs arise and to listen carefully to responses. Increase my emotional intelligence and social awareness to be able to read between the lines when necessary. Connect me with a strong network of friends and acquaintances who have both the means and the desire to support those requiring help. Use me as a conduit of your compassion and care for others. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those Who Serve on Sundays Unnoticed

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Many who serve on Sundays do so behind the scenes. Thank you for their willingness to give the gift of their time and talents in service to you and their congregations in various ways. Let them find a joyful reward in seeing how their service is a blessing to others. While they don’t serve for the recognition, prompt others to express their appreciation and to thank them regularly, so they feel valued. Use their service to build up others and to showcase the gospel as clearly and as beautifully as possible. Move them to always give their best, because you are worthy of nothing less. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Honor You in My Use of Alcohol

Lord Jesus,
You blessed the wedding at Cana, not just with your presence, but also with a miraculous gift of fine wine. Your Word also speaks positively of wine as a blessing that gladdens the heart and can also address certain bodily ailments or distress. Used properly and enjoyed in moderation, alcohol can be appreciated as the blessing you intend it to be. 

Keep me from abusing it. Guard me from drinking excessively and in excess. Drunkenness is not a gray area in your Word, but is always a sin that dishonors you and my own body. And, since the sin of drunkenness so often multiplies into other sins, help me to always be in control when drinking. Give me the wisdom to know my limitations, and not to be unwise when I have surpassed those limitations. Let me never put my own life or the lives of others at risk regarding my use of alcohol. Instead, guide me to model a healthy relationship with it, so that in a world of so many poor examples, I might be a bright spot. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.