Tag: guys

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Struggling Congregations

Head of the Church,
There are many Christian congregations that struggling. Their struggles can be caused by many different challenges in different seasons of ministry. Some are without a pastor to shepherd your people. Others struggle to raise up strong leaders. A lack of financial support from generous offerings can limit essential ministry efforts. Declining attendance and/or disengaged members put a heavy burden on the faithful few who bear the bulk weight of congregational responsibilities. 

Yet when you are the Lord of the Church, the head of the body of Christ, there is always reason for hope. Answer the prayers of members in struggling churches, and do so in such radical ways that surpass even the loftiest of requests. Use their struggles to drive them into your Word and through that process draw them closer to you. Spur members on to share in the joys of ministry by inviting and engaging each other when service opportunities are available. Use them also to encourage their pastor when he is down by lifting him up with your promises. Lead them to see each and every victory you bring about in their midst, to celebrate them, thank you for them, and build on them as your grace allows. Make struggling churches into turnaround stories that become healthy, thriving congregations which are a testament to the power of your Word and the blessing of your grace. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Grace Over Guilt

Forgiving Father,
Sundays are sacred. As we gather with fellow believers for worship, may we never underestimate the amount of guilt many people bring with them into your house. There are so many burdens and so much baggage that are dragged into worship on Sunday morning. For that reason, as we fellowship and connect with one another each Sunday, help me to reinforce the good news of the gospel every opportunity I get. I want to be a part of sending off my church family for another week with forgiveness on their hearts and minds. May all those who arrive guilt-ridden depart grace-filled. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Our Young People

Loving Father,
Young people today face fears and pressures to which previous generations were never exposed. Sadly, living in a society that struggles to cope in healthy ways with hardship and adversity only makes matters worse. Finally, many families have also had to deal with single or divorced parents, or grandparents playing the role of primary parents to their grandchildren. Truly the odds are stacked against our young! 

Send your angels to watch over them around the clock. Protect them from harm caused by others as well as the consequences of their own actions. When not present in their own families, place other caring adults into their lives who will pour into them, provide them with guidance, and love them enough to correct and discipline them. Lead young people ultimately to know your love and forgiveness, to find their worth in your words and promises, and to embrace your calling with energy and eagerness. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Have an Eternal Perspective

Eternal Lord,
When I become fixated on the here and now, I easily forget about how short-lived this life is. That’s when the things that should matter don’t necessarily matter and the unimportant stuff carries greater weight than it should. Help me to sort those things out. Give me discernment to distinguish the trivial and fleeting from the significant and lasting. 

In order to function this way, I have to have an eternal perspective. I have to remember not only that my ultimate home is in heaven, but also that I want to make sure it’s filled up with as many as possible. So keep me from being consumed with the things I have to do to be liked by others. Instead, let me serve them with an eternal perspective that both seeks and creates openings to bring you into the picture. Rather than chasing after success and money merely to establish a comfortable life here, help me see where such things could bless and influence others from a kingdom perspective. Remind me, as often as it takes, that I am not in this world at this time just for here and now, but to make an eternal difference. Use me to that end.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Christian Teachers

Lord of the Church,
Thank you for providing faithful teachers and professors in our Christian schools. Whether at the elementary, high school, or college level, their role in educating the next generation is pivotal. They don’t merely pass along information, but teach students to think critically and to utilize their wonderfully created minds to discover and understand the universe, the world, and all that is in it.

Additionally – and most importantly – they do all of this while not only modeling their love for Jesus, but also connecting your Word and their faith to everything they learn. Use teachers to strengthen the faith of their students, while challenging them and equipping them to be model citizens who also let the light of their faith shine brightly. As teachers incorporate law and gospel into their lessons and teaching, build up the body of Christ. Bless their classrooms and their ministry, so that they see the fruit of their labors and are encouraged and uplifted by it. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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After the Election

Lord of All Nations,
As the citizens of the United States wake up this morning to see the election results, there are a mix of emotions being felt everywhere. Some are crushed by the outcome, while others are thrilled. I pray that you help us all be sensitive to that fact as we interact with each other. Guard us from expressions of haughty arrogance or spiteful bitterness. Turn us away from divisive judgments about opposing parties and those who voted for a different candidate. Instead, grant us a unified spirit that seeks to see the best in others and to be charitable and genuine in trying to understand their views. 

Help me to remember that my identity is not wrapped up in an election ballot. You are the Savior of all, regardless of political party. Your powerful gospel brings people together in a way that no political party, movement, or other cause ever could.

In the days, weeks, and months ahead, let others see the absolute best of me as I let my light shine as your child. As a result, may my words and actions challenge the negative narrative that is sometimes out there regarding Christianity. Lead others to question their own cynical perceptions they might have of Christians. Open up many to be willing to hear the good news of great joy that is true regardless of any election outcome ever: a Savior has been born to us, has lived for us, has died in our place, and has risen and ascended victoriously, to where he oversees all things for our good.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Wisdom to Apply Your Word

Holy Spirit,
You are the source of enlightenment and wisdom. You attach blessings to both worldly wisdom and wisdom from your Word. While both are valuable, today I ask you to grant me wisdom in applying your Word. It is one thing to be familiar with your Word and to know your Word, but I ask that you increase in me the wisdom to apply your Word. When I see room to grow in my own life spiritually, it is seldom because I lack the knowledge of what to do or say in any given situation, but rather the wisdom to apply it.

The Bible promises blessing not just to those who hear the word, but who also put it into practice. And, while it is often the large scale feats of faith that are on my radar, make me wise to see and act on the many small scale acts of faith all around me on a daily basis. These are every bit as important in your eyes and also serve your people in meaningful ways. Grant me, Spirit, a rich measure of your wisdom so that I may continue to grow and develop in my life of sanctification. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Be More Mindful

Lord God,
Make me more mindful. It is easy for me to jump from one thing to the next over the course of a day, as if taking orders from my calendar and everything that it has scheduled for me. I can get so caught up in productivity and performance that I miss out on life as it passes me by. Help me to pause and listen, to take note of my surroundings, and to be aware.

In doing so I can better appreciate the many details of how you have created and ordered everything around me. And, I pray that such mindfulness will also allow me to pick up on the needs of others. Perhaps my being present will embolden them to confide in me so I can provide a listening ear. Or, it may open any variety of other doors that lead to serving my neighbor. Whatever you have in store, Lord, reveal to me as I become more intentional about being mindfully aware. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Dechurched

Patient Father,
Sundays are sacred. As churches hold services and pastors preach sermons, you set the table to serve your people a rich spiritual feast. But for various reasons, many believers who used to attend church no longer view it as an essential part of their Christian walk. For some, those reasons are rooted in painful memories and experiences; for others, they are merely excuses. Often these individuals see no danger in their disconnect from regular worship. 

Since you know what is in their hearts, Father, put fellow believers around them who know their struggles, who are willing to listen, and who desire to help. Use them to provide encouragement where needed or admonition when necessary. Also, help congregations and pastors be willing to own up to their wrongs and seek reconciliation with members they may have pushed away.

Rekindle in the hearts of distant believers a longing to return to your house for worship, and when they do, see that they are well fed by your Word. Guide them in reestablishing a healthy worship life and build them up in their faith. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Use Me to Save Others

Faithful Redeemer,
Today I pray for the salvation of those who are still stuck in unbelief. There are people in my own life who don’t yet trust in you as their Savior from sin and their hope for eternal life. Where I can be more intentional in building deeper connections with those individuals, help me do so, knowing that I have the gospel that they need. Let my Christian living create curiosity in them as they see how differently I stand out from others in their life. Make me aware of ideal opportunities to engage with them and even to invite them to engage and interact with my Christian friends and church family. I know the good news about you and the difference it makes in my life, so let me take advantage of natural openings in conversations to insert and share my personal story about you. Work through me and other believers as we work intentionally to make you known to others, and so bring many to faith in this way.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.