Category: Daily Prayers for Guys

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Set My Heart and Mind on Things Above

Lord God,
You direct me to set my heart and my mind on things above, and not on earthy things. One of the most effective ways to keep me from an unhealthy focus on earthly things is to prioritize redirecting my desires and thoughts on things above. My desires and thoughts are closely connected, so that whatever fills my thoughts also increases my desire, and what I desire then directs my thoughts.

Therefore, let your Spirit dwell in me richly to control both my thoughts and desires, so that they nurture and complement each other. Lead me to seek your spiritual blessings and to crave more fruits of faith in my life. Help me to treasure the work you do in me that serves my eternal good. Create not only a longing for my heavenly home, but an awareness of how my time here on earth helps prepare me for eternity. Align my desires with yours and my thoughts with yours, as much as possible.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Not Get Caught Up in Worldly Concerns

Dear Lord,
You direct me to set my heart and my mind on things above, and not on earthy things. It is so natural for me to give my attention to the things of this world. When my daily schedule involves so many things that deal with the here and now, those are the things I focus on. Problems need solving. Tasks need to be accomplished. People need to be pleased. Like Martha, I get caught up in prioritizing all of these responsibilities and obligations and you become an afterthought.

In addition to being so preoccupied with these types of concerns, which are not inherently wrong, I am also daily tempted by plenty of earthly things that are plain and simply just sinful. Guard my heart from both – from being consumed by earthly concerns and being courted by earthly temptations. Remind me that you are the one in control who oversees all things and equips me to carry out my daily responsibilities, and that you also promise me a way out when I am tempted.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For My Easter Identity (Part 3)

Risen Savior,
Sometimes I lose sight of who I am, but Easter assures me of my identity. Significant successes or shames in my life can cloud my identity, distracting or deceiving me from who I really am. When you bless me in any given endeavor with success, my pride hijacks that success and claims it as its own, rather than the gift from you that it is. Pride then attempts to anchor my identity to that success. As soon as that success passes then, that false identity crumbles apart.

Something similar can take place when my words or actions result in significant shame. The evil one mercilessly taunts me with endless attempts to convince me that my real identity will forever be associated with my shame. 

Success or shame – neither determines who I am, for my identity was bought and paid for on the cross, and the Resurrection is the stamp of approval that the Father accepted payment in full. It is not my success or shame that determines my identity, but your successful victory on my behalf. Let your resurrection always remain the anchor for my identity, and let me take everything else, all success and shame, in stride. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For My Easter Identity (Part 2)

Risen Savior,
Sometimes I lose sight of who I am, but Easter assures me of my identity. Significant shocks in my life can turn my life upside down, causing me to question who I am. Some may have happened long ago during childhood, resulting in wounds that still haunt me today, leaving doubt and uncertainty about my self-image. Trauma, injury, sudden catastrophe – these unexpected turns can lead us to question who we are or what’s wrong with us.

When such shocks strike suddenly and I find myself shutting down, remind me that an even more shocking event overshadows all of them: the Resurrection! It is your rising from the dead – and not any shocking events in my own life – that has the final say in my identity. Because of your victory, I am victorious, too. Because you live, I have life, too, and meaningful life at that, for I am yours! This ought to shock me daily more than anything else. You died and rose again to wash and purify me as your own for eternity. I am yours. May that always be more than enough for me!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For My Easter Identity (Part 1)

Risen Savior,
Sometimes I lose sight of who I am, but Easter assures me of my identity. Significant shifts in my life can cause me to question who I am. After years behind desks in classrooms, the shift into the working world means I am no longer the student I have been accustomed to being. An undesired breakup may lead me to wrestle with what’s wrong with me. Getting married, having children, adjusting to new social circles – shifts like these can expose fears and insecurities that strip me of my confidence.

When I experience these shifts, take me back to Easter morning. Take me to your tomb, where the certainty of the Resurrection provides the proof I need to know who I am: yours! Various shifts will continue to take place in my life, but they’ll never change my identity. Your victory means I am victorious, it means my fears and insecurities have been rolled away with the stone at the tomb. I am forgiven and I am yours. I need no other identity than that!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Bless Easter Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. They are made so especially because of what we celebrate on this Sunday: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! Had this historical event never taken place, as Paul stated to the Corinthians, our faith would be futile! And, if our faith was meaningless and empty, so, too, would our worship be.

But it isn’t, because he lives! Fill worshippers this morning with the joy and elation that resounds from the Resurrection. Let the certainty of our own resurrection in the future bring us security and peace in the present. Let Easter make those who are hopeless, hopeful. Through the empty tomb, provide the answers to what so many are fruitlessly searching for elsewhere. With the same power you used to raise Jesus from the dead, Father, raise up your church to be zealous in carrying out its mission and continuing to spread the news: He lives, who once was dead!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Bless My Easter Plans

Holy Father,
Tomorrow we celebrate the greatest victory the world will ever know: Jesus’ victory over Satan. Along with that victory you have removed the sting of death and its permanence, as well as the slavery of sin and its condemnation.

Whatever Easter plans are in place for tomorrow and the days ahead, I pray that they are not a distraction from my Easter joy. Instead, as those plans are in motion, may they serve as reminders to make me even more mindful of your Resurrection. Guard me from being so caught up in any planning, preparation, or misplaced priorities that would rob me of Easter joy instead of expanding it. Keep me from any stress that would steal the peace and calm of knowing that the Resurrection has secured my eternal rest. Bless my celebration of your victory – for your victory is also mine!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Your Good Friday Sacrifice

Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world. Today, we remember the cost. There is no greater sacrifice imaginable that could have been made than that you, the innocent Son of God, would willingly be executed in the place of the real convicted lawbreakers. My sin crucified you, and your compassion saved me. On this Good Friday, words will not ever be able to capture or convey the thanks you rightly deserve. Nevertheless, thank you for dying for me. Compel me to live for you.   

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Serve Others as You Serve Us

Loving Savior,
On this Holy Thursday we see your heart for service. In a beautiful act of humble service, you washed your disciples feet and called them – and us – to lovingly imitate your willing spirit to serve others. Forgive us for continuing to fall for the foolish lie that fulfillment comes from the selfish service of putting ourselves first. Open our eyes to see and believe the truth that our hearts find true fulfillment in loving and serving our neighbor.

On this night you also served not only your disciples in the upper room, but also your church for generations to come. You did this by transforming the Passover meal from just a meal of remembrance into the sacred Supper by which you serve your very body and blood for forgiveness. Still today, whenever we receive the bread and your body, the wine and your blood, you serve us the food that fortifies and fills up our faith. Serve us always, so that through your service to us, we find all that we need to also serve others. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Love and Listen to Your Teaching

Patient Teacher,
While the Bible doesn’t reveal with certainty the details of your day on this day, Wednesday of Holy Week, we do know that yesterday, on Tuesday of Holy Week, you enlightened and taught others. When challenged by religious leaders, you seized the opportunity to correct and instruct. When you used parables to teach, you both convicted those who rejected you and comforted those who follow you in faith. 

Like Mary, busy Martha’s sister, lead me to spend more time at your feet, listening to your instruction and guidance in your Word. So often I allow myself to be too busy to learn from you and be blessed by your words. But your Word is life! Not only does the instruction from your Word provide the direction and wisdom I need for this life, but it also feeds my faith for eternal life. May a steady diet of law and gospel continue to sustain and sanctify me daily as you teach me through your Word. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.