Tag: forgive

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Marvel at Jesus’ Baptism – and My Own

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. In many churches that follow the pattern of the church year, Jesus’ baptism will be the focus of worship today. At his baptism, not only did you voice your approval of your Son for those present to hear, but the anointing power of the Holy Spirit was also visible in the form of a dove. Armed with the strength of the Spirit, your Son set out to begin his ministry and to fulfill all that was necessary to achieve our salvation. Having accomplished all that needed to be done, he also established the blessing of baptism for us, connecting us through it to every benefit he secured for us. Let believers marvel at Jesus’ baptism, so they are led to deeply treasure their own. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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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

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Thank You for Your Dedication to Our Salvation

Giving Father,
Thank you for all that you graciously provide for our lives, none of which is deserved or earned by our efforts. While this is true of all gifts we receive from your hand, the gift of salvation and the guarantee of eternal life that come with it are unrivaled. These exceptional gifts stand out all the more when we remember what we deserve and ought to expect as a result of our own rebellious hearts and sinful disobedience. But your grace is always greater than whatever our worst could ever be. Your determination and dedication to seek and save are relentless, and we are so very grateful for that. Let your desire to forgive and to save us always prompt our desire to thank and to praise you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Courage to Seek Reconciliation (Part 2)

Spirit of Peace,
Regardless of the reason, whenever there is an issue between another believer and me, I pray that you provide me with courage to seek reconciliation. When my words or actions have been the cause for concern, and someone else desires to speak with me about it, let me be willing to, whether I feel it is necessary or not. In those situations, I may either be blind to the damage I may have done, or be unaware of how my behavior affected another person. Or, I could be aware, but feel justified on my end and stubbornly try avoid the other person. This is not loving to them, and will only cause more hurt. Make me always willing to listen, quick to accept responsibility, and eager to apologize, whether it is for my own sake or for the sake of the other person. Whenever this process happens, usher in your peace, and heal any hurts or hangups with your gift of reconciliation. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Courage to Seek Reconciliation (Part 1)

Spirit of Peace,
Regardless of the reason, whenever there is an issue between another believer and me, I pray that you provide me with courage to seek reconciliation. When I perceive another person’s words or actions to be the cause of discord, guard me from gossip, so that I don’t make things worse by fueling the discord even more. Instead, as soon as possible, enable me to address my concern with the individual with humble confidence. Let me be firm, but gentle, never seeking to get even or repay for some wrong, but to seek healing and restoration. When repentance is called for, let it be received well and allow it to bring about the confession and absolution that is necessary. Whenever this process happens, usher in your peace, and heal any hurts or hangups with your gift of reconciliation. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Embrace My Place in Your Kingdom

Mighty God,
By your grace, you called me to faith and it pleased you to give me the kingdom. What more could I possibly need when I consider all that is included in your kingdom? Let me find my treasure, my purpose, and my life in your kingdom and nowhere else, since nothing else could ever measure up or compare. Furthermore, I marvel that you didn’t give it to me hesitantly or reluctantly, but that you were pleased to do so. 

And, you have given me the keys to your kingdom – the power to absolve and forgive sins. What a great privilege and responsibility this is! Let me take it to heart, take it seriously, and not take it for granted. Keep me forever in your kingdom and use me to extend and expand it with your powerful Word, so that through it your Spirit can bring many more souls into the present and eternal joys of your kingdom. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Renew and Refresh Me Through Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Over the course of the week, my attention and focus can so easily sway and spin like a weathervane in a storm. My devotions and prayers are a priority one day and an afterthought the next. The good and noble intentions I have as I leave your house each week fizzle and are forgotten as the week unfolds.

So again I gather with my church family in your house, not to eagerly present some proud report of all that I have done for your kingdom this week, but as a beggar, asking yet again for mercy and forgiveness. Hear my prayers again and grant me what I seek and need more than anything else: the peace and rest that go hand-in-hand with your grace and absolution. Then, having been renewed and refreshed, send me out again this week to carry out my calling as your blessed and forgiven child, and grant me the focus and discipline to follow through and carry out your will.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Prayers from the Prodigal (Part 4)

Forgiving Father,
Through the “lost” parables in Luke 15, we become aware of how radical your grace truly is. When I am on the receiving end of your compassion and see your capacity for forgiveness, it leaves me a changed man. To be freely welcomed and fully forgiven for all that I have ever done wrong is not only life-changing, but eternity-altering! With this as my reality, there is no place for bitterness or grudges against others when they sin against me. How can I possibly withhold forgiveness from anyone else while standing before a gracious Father who has not chosen to treat me that way? No, let my willingness to forgive others be a perfect reflection of your faithful willingness to forgive me. The world does not need more unmerciful servants, but more forgiving fathers. Help me to be one.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Prayers from the Prodigal (Part 3)

Forgiving Father,
Through the “lost” parables in Luke 15, we become aware of how radical your grace truly is. Regardless of which son we identify with – the prodigal young son or the prideful older son – we need the same thing: the forgiving father. And in you, we have just that!

As we stumble our way through this life and press on toward our heavenly home, some naturally assume that rigid rules and the threat of a strict, stern disciplinarian are necessary to keep everyone on track. But yours is a better way! Your unconditional love, your open arms, your warm welcome – these are what draw sinners to you. Moreover, it is your heart for us – not the terror or fear we feel – that keeps us on the path of your righteousness to the open door that leads to eternal life. You paid a dear price to be able to forgive us again and again and again, and the sacrifice of your own Son is our only hope for being welcomed to our eternal home. Oh, how we need a forgiving Father! And there you are, always welcoming this lost-on-his-own son, with open arms and gushing with grace. Thank you!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Prayers from the Prodigal (Part 2)

Forgiving Father,
Through the “lost” parables in Luke 15, we become aware of how radical your grace truly is. The father’s compassionate patience toward his older son becomes even more real to us when our eyes are opened to see how often we are that older son. While grace is by definition undeserved, we cannot escape the notion that grace is for good people and not for bad people. In our own minds, we create a narrative in which we frame ourselves to be righteous, morally superior, and filled with good intentions. When we see grace extended to those who don’t have their act together like we do, we sulk and pout just as the older brother did.  

I confess to thinking so highly of myself and so little of others. Forgive me for failing to be honest when my acts of righteousness aren’t really out of loving gratitude for you, but rather to puff up myself and pad my own spiritual resumé. Strip me of my pride and lead me instead to rejoice every time your grace wins anyone over. Welcome this prideful sinner back again, as you have so many times before, with open arms and gushing with grace. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.