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 Use Worship to Prepare Me for Christmas

Holy Father,
Sundays are sacred. On this final Sunday before Christmas, help me use worship to prepare for my celebration of your birth. May my prayers be pleasing to you as I seek to separate myself from the world’s idea of celebration and center myself more in you. Since embracing the gift of Christ at Christmas includes being reminded why I need him, reveal to me the sinful baggage I’ve been carrying around this December so that I might confess it and bring it before you with a repentant heart. Cleanse and clear out from my heart anything and everything that would cheapen Christmas or hinder my celebration of it. Grant me renewed clarity and focus to better appreciate all that truly makes your birth the special gift that it is. Let me be ready to be filled with joy and jubilation in Jesus this Christmas. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.