Tag: Prayers

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Thank You for Our Freedom

Dear God,
Today our nation celebrates its independence. As we look back on our past, we see so much for which to be thankful. At the same time, we see much that causes regret and weighs heavily on our hearts. Nevertheless, you continue to bless us with a privilege not afforded to the citizens of other nations to the degree that we enjoy it: freedom. While freedom will never be carried out or expressed perfectly in a fallen world, thank you for the many rich opportunities it does provide for us.

Yet as great as this freedom is, your Word reveals to us an even greater freedom: the freedom we have through faith in Jesus Christ. In Jesus, we are free from guilt and shame, from the fear of death, and from the strong hold that Satan has on so many. By Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, our eternal freedom has been secured! Keep us from abusing this freedom in selfishness, and instead lead us to use it to freely serve others with eagerness and joy, just as Jesus first served us. Guard and keep us from taking this freedom for granted, and use us to proclaim this message of freedom to others as often as possible. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Know When to Speak and When to Listen

Holy Spirit,
In every situation, there is a time to speak and a time to listen. I pray for the wisdom to know the difference. Before I rush to speak, give me the patience to hear others out and to actively listen with open ears. In doing so, help me to hear wisdom from the mouths of others before foolishness or a lack of discernment escapes my own mouth. When listening, I want to assume the best of others and put the best possible construction on their words and actions. And if others are providing correction or rebuking me, give me the humility to accept it. When speaking, help me to speak only the truth, and always in love. Through both my listening and my speaking, use me to edify and encourage others, to provide guidance and wisdom, and to glorify you at all times. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Humility

Humble Savior,
“[You] did come to be served, but to serve, and to give your life as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45). There will never be a greater sacrifice than your humble death on Good Friday – and you did that for me! Even prior to that, your whole life had been a life of humble sacrifice – and you lived sacrificially for me! That you humbly lived and died for me is more than I will ever be able to fully comprehend.

What I do ask, Jesus, is to be able to reflect your humility daily in my own life. I know how unnatural it is for me to think more highly of others than myself, but I also know that selfish part of me was crucified with you. Equip the new man in me to set aside my own self interests and to focus on serving others. Help me to think of my self less and to fill my thoughts and desires instead with meeting my neighbor’s needs however I can. Give me a genuine servant’s heart, and use me to build up and bless my family, my friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, in every possible way.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Carry out My Great Commission

Lord of the Church,
When you sent your disciples on their mission to make disciples, you were entrusting that mission to your Church for all time. When you entrusted that mission to your Church for all time, you were entrusting it to me. As a believer, you desire to use my gifts and my lips to put your Word to work in every way possible to make disciples.

Yet I confess that this mission of the church – my mission – is far too often an afterthought. The lost are last on my mind. My focus is naturally on my own situation rather than my neighbor’s soul. Cover me with your mercy and forgive my indifference toward evangelism. Give me a mission-minded heart and a Spirit-filled awareness of those around me who need you. Regularly provide me with opportunities to evangelize, and fill me with the courage of the apostle Paul to speak up in those situations and confidently confess the good news of the gospel to others.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For a Penitent Spirit

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. The pattern of confession and absolution in worship reminds me that daily I die to sin and am raised to new life in Christ, and this only by the power of the gospel. Renew my spirit in worship this morning as in different ways it calls to mind my baptismal life and feeds my hungry soul through the Supper whenever it is offered. Grant me a penitent spirit, one that is not only aware of my sin and sorry for it, but also willing and open to confess it. Guard my heart from being deceived into thinking I could somehow hide any sin. Then, as I depart your house of worship this morning, always surround me with dedicated brothers in Christ who are bold and unafraid to point out the sin in me which I either can’t see or refuse to see on my own. And make us all even more eager to assure each other of your unconditional forgiveness. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

Holy Spirit,
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Let this fruit be evident in my life in abundance, I pray. Today I ask you to work goodness in and through me. 

While the whole world has been negatively affected by the Fall and sin is certainly prevalent everywhere, there appears to be a glaring absence of goodness all around. Sadly, words that used to be spoken somewhat lightheartedly, “a good man is hard to find,” are true now as much as they ever were. 

But rather than merely lamenting the lack of goodness, I want to be part of the solution. Wash away and cleanse in me all that is opposed to what is good, and replace it with a positive, gospel-saturated spirit. Bend my heart toward thoughts, speech, and behavior that is not just good for my sake, but which serves the greater good of everyone around me. Just as surely as the Good Shepherd’s goodness follows me all the days of my life, so allow that goodness to leave its mark wherever I am. Then cause it to multiply and flourish far and wide.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Your Presence

Ever-present Lord,
Before you ascended, you assured your disciples that you would be with them always. You also promise that you will never leave nor forsake me. I believe you, because your words and promises never fail. 

Nevertheless, there are certainly times when my feelings don’t match my faith. I question why it feels like my prayers are falling on deaf ears. I struggle and cannot escape feelings of loneliness. At times I even depart worship and wonder if you were really there. 

During those doubts, allow my faith to swell up and overshadow my unreliable feelings. Redirect me away from shallow feelings to the substance of my faith: your Word. My own feelings deceive me, but your Word never will. Although at times I drift away from you, you will never depart from me nor turn your face from me. Give me the sturdy faith to believe it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Families

Loving Father,
You have established the family to be a blessing – a blessing that extends well beyond the walls of a home, into communities and societies. Since healthy families begin with strong marriages, thank you for bringing husbands and wives together and binding them in dedicated commitment to each other and to you. Fill them with the grace to love and forgive each other unconditionally. 

Where you have granted the gift of children, guide parents to raise them under the shadow of the cross and to model for them what a love for you and your Word looks like. Lead them to exercise godly discipline always in love, that you might produce righteousness in and through their children. Grant children a willing spirit of obedience and help them to respect their parents. Make the extended family to be a system of support and encouragement as well, providing nurture and direction as needed. 

While all homes are broken to some degree by sin, some struggle with unique challenges. Bring your healing especially into those homes, so that even when families are dysfunctional, your grace might abound and bring blessing. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For those Serving in our Government

Mighty Lord,
Grant wisdom to all who serve in all areas of our government. As they conduct their daily business, surround them with an abundance of wise counsel. In striving to carry out the will of those they represent, they are often tasked with the challenge of satisfying those who hold opposing wishes. Where compromise is possible and prudent, lead them to seek it. Guard them from personal agendas or outside interests which seek to influence their decision making. Help them to manage their time well, being protective of their marriage and family needs. Protect their reputations from slander, gossip, and mudslinging, and keep them from being responsible for it. Bless them in their faithful service, and make them a blessing to those they represent.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Trust you in the Trials

Faithful Lord,
Your promise is so clear and so often repeated in the Bible that there is no question: you will never abandon me. No earthly friend or companion will ever come close to caring about me as much as you do. No one else will ever have my best interests in mind at all times the way that you do. 

But no sooner does some hardship or hurt strike in my life and the doubts start seeping in. The enemy presses hard to prompt me to see any level of suffering or inconvenience, whether slight or significant, as proof that you have ditched me and stopped having my back. His relentless efforts too often bear fruit and I buy the lies he sells me.

In your gracious mercy, forgive me. When such doubts arise, equip me to redirect my thoughts away from the lies and back to the truths of your Word, where my fears are put to rest and I am reassured by your promises. Allow me to trace the steps of trial and testing of so many believers in the Bible you have carried through again and again, always keeping your promises, and calm my troubled heart through their experiences as I marvel at the proof of your promises playing out.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.