DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Thoughtful Consideration of Worship Attire

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. The blessing of Christian freedom means that there is no required dress code for worship. At the same time, we recognize that there is something to be said for distinguishing between secular and sacred. Since the gospel inspires our best in all areas of life, move believers to consider how what we wear in worship can reflect the worth we attach to the privilege of being in your house. Our purpose in gathering is not to draw attention to ourselves – whether positively or negatively – but to devote ourselves to you and to receive the rich spiritual banquet which you offer us in worship. Therefore, let us give humble and reverent thought to how we present ourselves each week for worship. May we glorify you in worship, not only with our songs and prayers, but even with our attention to how we thoughtfully present ourselves.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Faithful Spouses

Giver of Marriage,
Keep husbands and wives faithful to each other and to their vows. Foster in them a greater curiosity and desire to pursue each other more and more as each year passes. Protect them from outside distractions and temptations, and do not allow disinterest or indifference toward each other to settle in. Guard their hearts and minds from entertaining the lies and deceptions planted by the evil one. Direct them to each other for the fulfillment of their desires for physical and emotional intimacy, and make them willing and eager to serve each other according to their spouse’s needs. Fill each of them spiritually with an awareness of your love and faithfulness to them. Lead them always to look first to you for what only you can provide, not allowing either husband or wife to elevate their spouse to that level. Otherwise, they will only find disappointment and unmet expectations. Finally, Lord, cover marriages with your gracious forgiveness. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Clothe Me with Kindness

Kind Savior,
Simple acts of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of others, not just those on the receiving end, but also those who are witnesses. One kind gesture can encourage and inspire more of the same from others. We never know what burdens people are bearing at any given point and how impactful a kind word or action can be. Nevertheless, even if our kindness toward others goes relatively unnoticed or unappreciated, that doesn’t make it any less significant in your eyes. It’s how you call us to be in general when you call us to live lives of love and gratitude in response to your eternal kindness toward us. May we therefore always put your kindness on display in how kindly we treat others. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Keep My Stress in Check

Prince of Peace,
With Christmas two weeks away, stress levels can quickly rise as each passing day means deadlines and duties become increasingly more pressing. Help me to keep my composure when others are impatient or irritated, and keep me from displaying such behavior, too. Remind me that the peace announced by the angels at Jesus’ birth is mine here and now, and in the days ahead. While it seems counterintuitive with so much that needs to get done, make time reading from and reflecting on your Word and promises a priority as much now as in any other time of the year. This ensures that I am staying prepared in the right way during Advent and Christmas. Finally, whenever possible, use me also to help others keep their stress and anxiety levels in check by pointing them to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Live with Integrity

Dear Jesus,
Help me to be the same person behind closed doors that others see in public. Lead me to live with integrity, seeking to think and behave when I am on my own in the same way I think and behave at all other times. Guide my keyboard comments and responses to be no different from what I would comfortably communicate face-to-face. Keep me from saying one thing in the presence of others and doing another when they aren’t around to see it. Guard my lips and tongue to glorify you not just when others are around to hear, but even when I am by myself. You see me at all times, so let me honor you in every way at all times. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Bring Blessings Through the Fruit of My Repentance

Holy Spirit,
When you work in me a penitent spirit, work in me also the genuine desire to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. While repentance itself is a challenge for my stubborn heart, what follows can also be easily overlooked. When contrition and confession lead me to the cross, where I am flooded with your full forgiveness, allow that renewed spirit within me to be eager to bear fruit that seeks to make right whatever wrong I have committed. Let my cleansed soul find genuine joy in humbly serving anyone I have wronged. In that way, through the process of repentance, reshape the original evil that was done into something beautiful and good in the end. Take what was bad and turn it to what is beneficial, bestowing your blessing on many along the way. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For a Penitent Spirit

Patient Father,
John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord by preaching a message of repentance. Through your Holy Spirit, work in me a penitent spirit – one that does not seek to diminish or hide my sin, but to confess it. When I come clean to you in confession, confident of your unconditional grace, your forgiveness washes over me and restores my soul. Practicing repentance regularly reminds me that I am not a slave to sin, but to righteousness, and this is not so because of anything on my end, but entirely because your atoning work completely covered all sin. Thank you for your gift of repentance. Keep me always willing and eager to take advantage of it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Find Peace in Your Presence Through Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. When we prioritize worship, we aren’t adding another weighty task to the to-do list of our already-busy holiday season. Instead, we are seeking refuge in the midst of our crazy, chaotic schedules. While we do find a measure of peace simply in slowing down our pace and limiting our obligations this time of year, the peace we find in your presence in your house of worship is unique. There we let out a spiritual sigh of relief as we exhale our sins in confession and breathe in deeply the fresh air of forgiveness. Let us never be too busy for time with you and the saints gathered together for worship – especially this time of year. Ready our hearts for both your Second Coming and our Christmas celebration of your First Coming. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Influence of God-Fearing Men on Younger Generations

Lord God,
Our society is seeing a real need for mentorship for young men. They need strong male role models who provide an alternative to counter the narrative of toxic masculinity. Raise up solid mentors who welcome the opportunity to positively influence the younger generation. Make them first men of THE Word, and second, men of their word. Let them model godliness in every area of life, leading with humility, integrity, drive, self-discipline, compassion, and grace. Direct young men to see these examples in other men and seek to emulate them. Move godly women to praise and celebrate these relationships whenever they are evident, realizing that the influence of God-fearing men on young males will bear desirable fruit in families, relationships, and society in general. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Blessing of Music

Dear Lord,
Music plays such an important part in our lives – thank you for this special gift. You have blessed so many people with wonderful musical gifts throughout history. You have then used their gifts to extend the blessing of music to so many ears and hearts as well. During the holidays, we especially appreciate the role music can play in evoking nostalgic memories from seasons past. We are grateful for how secular and sacred music each affect us in different ways. We pray that sacred music, from classical chorales to simple hymns, will always have an important role, for through their emphasis on the coming of the Savior and his joyous birth, they beautifully proclaim the good news of salvation. Continue to use this type of music and singing to turn hearts from darkness to the light of faith for generations to come.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.