DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Another Year of Your Goodness

Gracious Lord,
On this last day of the year, I thank you for your providence and protection all year long. Whatever worries or fears I faced this year, you guided me to overcome them. You delivered me through hardships and challenges every time in one way or another. You also blessed me with joyful memories and treasured experiences. I am surrounded by those who love and care about me – so much so that they are even willing to correct and rebuke me when necessary. You kept me in the faith by the power of your Word, and granted me countless opportunities to exercise that faith in meaningful ways. You showed me new facets of your grace and forgiveness that left me awestruck time and again. You showed me yet again just how truly good you are. Ultimately, after another year, I am so grateful that I am still yours. Keep me yours forever. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For My New Relationships This Year

Friend of Sinners,
Thank you for the new relationships you brought into my life this year. Help me view others as you do and to value each one of them as precious in your sight. Allow me to make meaningful contributions in these relationships so that others feel known and appreciated. While some of these relationships will develop into more meaningful friendships than others, help me to be trustworthy and reliable for everyone across the board. I want others to know they can count on me. Through all of this, give me credibility, so that as opportunities arise to witness and let my light shine, others are attentive and willing to listen. Let me serve as a great neighbor to them in whatever way they need. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For This Year’s Blessings

Lord God,
As the year winds down to a close, I look back and thank you for the blessings you’ve granted me throughout the year. I am grateful for the joyful experiences you’ve allowed me to have and for the ways you used challenges and hardships to shape and grow me. You kept your promise to provide for my physical and spiritual needs, and guarded and protected me in countless ways – some of which I am aware, while others I am not. Thank you for never leaving me, for always holding out hope, and for surrounding me with so many people who have made a positive difference in my life. I pray that you have also used me to be that for others. Lead me to set aside time in the remaining days of this year to be mindful of how good you’ve been to me this year.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Joy of Christmas to Continue

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Today provides another reason to be grateful after all of the bonus Christmas services this past week: we get to gather for worship yet again to celebrate the gift of your birth. On this fourth day of Christmas, keep the joy of the season shining brightly in and around us. As we engage in the rich blessings of worship, lead your people to confession and repentance, so that you might renew and refresh them with the assurance of their forgiveness and the joy of their salvation. Let the announcement of Jesus’ birth and the news of peace on earth be clearly proclaimed today, and let all hearts that hear it be awakened to faith or strengthened in the faith. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those Facing Persistent Problems

Mighty God,
Now that Christmas has passed, some are stuck with the reality that their problems still persist. Having temporarily avoided them or pretending the magic of Christmas would somehow make them all disappear didn’t actually fix anything. However, what Christmas can do is change our view of the problems we face. Having been reminded that you came into this world to overcome it and to defeat the devil’s work, our problems seem so much smaller by comparison. Give strength and determination to those dealing with ongoing issues and challenges, and remind them that the Savior born in Bethlehem is the Mighty God who is strong to deliver and save. Lead them to turn to you, to lean on you, and to trust in you to guide and direct them through their troubles. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those Struggling After Christmas

Joy of the World,
The day after Christmas can be a sad one for many. It can feel like it serves as the official mark of the holidays coming to a close. With Christmas in the rearview mirror, joy and anticipation quickly fade. No matter the cause, I pray for you to be with all who are down or struggling. The highs of the holidays can usher in difficult lows. Uplift those whose hearts are hurting or spirits are saddened. Turn their gloom to glee with good news and words of encouragement. Brighten their demeanor by fostering a grateful attitude in them, so they become aware of the many reasons they have to give thanks. Ultimately, whenever possible, I pray that you are not only enough for all people, struggling or not, but also that you become the source of their greatest joy.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Rejoice in the Good News of God With Us

Immanuel,
May we never cease to marvel at the wonder of your birth! Let it never become so familiar as to become mundane or mere tradition. There is simply no understandable human explanation to account for why the divine should dwell among fallen mankind in this broken creation. Nonetheless, Christmas means just that: God came to live among man. And, he didn’t come just to live, but to die, so that ultimately we could live with him forever. Until then, your coming to us at Christmas assures us of your permanent presence. Be with us always, ever-present Immanuel. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Provide Peace for Those Searching for It

Prince of Peace,
On this Christmas Eve, bring into the hearts of many what cannot be experienced apart from you: a peace that truly surpasses all understanding. It has been rightly observed that our hearts are restless until they find rest in you, for there is no other way for heavy hearts and crushed consciences to know peace outside of you, the Prince of Peace. Our relationship with God that was severed by our sin has been reconciled and restored through you. Yet, so many still arrive at one dead end after another in search of peace. Provide for them what the angels promised and pronounced at Christmas: peace on earth. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Grace to Forgive Others

Forgiving Savior,
When we celebrate your arrival on Christmas, we are celebrating that you came to free us and forgive us. You did not come to condemn, but to save. Indeed, our every wrong has been washed away, and we stand faultless before you. Not on our own merits, but entirely on your efforts alone. Undeserving as we are, we are fully forgiven.

Too often, we find ourselves in situations in which we flat out refuse or are reluctant to extend that same grace and patience to others. We allow bitterness or resentment to creep into our hearts, and then, instead of getting rid of it, we nurture it and allow it to take root. Forgive us for our failures in forgiving others. Let your mercy to us be the catalyst by which we cast out whatever might be hindering us from forgiving others. Enable us to see others as you do, broken sinners in need of grace. Then, help us eagerly funnel your forgiveness to them as freely as you do to us. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Reflect on Christmas

Savior God,
During this week of Christmas, provide extra time for reflection. Prompt believers to pause and pray, to set aside time in the midst of the busyness to get lost in the wonder of Christmas and its significance. Lead Christians to slow down and soak in their salvation and all of the rich realities that accompany it. 

Move unbelievers to ponder as well. Whether they are indifferent, uncertain, curious, skeptical, or even averse to Christianity, intervene in their lives as you see fit, to coax them to contemplate the account of Christmas. As they reflect on it, raise up questions and concerns in their hearts that drive them to desire answers. Leave their hearts unsettled until they search your Scriptures, and then through the power of your mighty Word, let the Spirit stir their souls and lead them to faith and the assurance of their salvation.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.