Tag: joy

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Privilege of Raising Children

Gracious Father,
All good gifts come from you, and children rank near the top of the list. Because parenting can be so exhausting and require so much energy, we can overlook the blessing they are. No matter their season of life – infants, toddlers, teens, or adults – lead parents to appreciate the unique joys of each stage of raising children. Thank you for their individual personalities and the variety of gifts you grant to them. Let children see fine examples of the Christian faith modeled in their parents. Make Jesus central to the home so that the gospel plays a prominent role in their training and instruction. When law and gospel are present and grace abounds, may fruits of faith flourish in children, including loving obedience and respect toward their parents. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Be Filled With Joy All Day Long

Dear Jesus,
No matter what today brings me, keep me filled up with joy. Whether I experience highs or lows, remind me of who I am in you and what I have through you. The joy of salvation is mine, and nothing I encounter or experience today can take that away from me. Help me reflect that reality in my thinking, my words, my actions, and my attitude. As my joy becomes evident to others and they take note, equip me with the readiness and willingness to share the source of my joy – you – with them. Then, let your Holy Spirit capitalize on conversations like those to usher in the joy of salvation to fill the hearts of many more.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Appreciate God’s Gift of Laughter

Joyful Savior,
Your gift of laughter is such a blessing in our fallen, sin-saturated world. It reminds us in a small way that gloom and despair exist on borrowed time, and will eventually meet their end when you return and replace them with eternal joy and delight. Thank you for the positive impact laughter can have on our mood and outlook. Whether the little unplanned bloopers in our day-to-day lives or the personalities and media which specialize in humor and comedy, these sources of laughter can cheer up wearied spirits and uplift heavy hearts. 

As with all good blessings from your hand, we can take them too far. Keep us from consuming comedy and laughter that crosses the line and is an affront to you. And, keep our own efforts within your boundaries for what is appropriate when we are seeking to make others laugh. Guard our lips from offensive language and swearing when attempting to entertain others. Keep us from inappropriate or course joking, and from the temptation to make jokes at the expense of others, which might cause them harm or distress or bring their reputation into question. Let us honor you in our support of clean comedy and humor that allows us to appreciate and treasure your gift of laughter.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Teacher Appreciation

Dear Lord,
Thank you for teachers. Thank you also for the extra opportunities during this Teacher Appreciation Week to let teachers know they are valued and that their hard work does not go unnoticed. They play a pivotal role in shaping how young people learn and think critically. They also face the challenges of teaching with limited resources, and make many sacrifices behind the scenes to educate their students.

When they have to deal with frustrating students or difficult home situations that creep into the classroom, provide them with the support and encouragement they need to address those issues. Fill them with the determination and resolve to push forward when dealing with discouragements. Grant them strong and reliable administrators who stand up for them and have their back. Create solid working relationships with colleagues and support staff. Bless them with opportunities to see their impact and influence making a difference in the lives of their students, both in the present and in the future. Bring them great fulfillment and joy in their work.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For You to Be Enough During the Down Times

Lord God,
Every season of life is going to include its own changes and transitions. While many of these will be positives, I will also have my share of negative changes. When those negative shifts take place, or I’m in limbo awaiting the outcome of a certain situation, allow me to remain grounded no matter what. When my joy, my satisfaction, and my fulfillment all rest in you, then whatever happens doesn’t determine my happiness. 

Let my spirit and attitude echo that of the psalmist who wrote of being satisfied in the morning with your love (Ps. 90:14). Even when my circumstances sour and my life may not be on the track I had hoped for at any given point, let it be more than enough that I have you. Grant me peace of mind not only when life goes as planned, but even when it doesn’t. Be my rock and my constant refuge at all times, good and bad.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Joy of My Salvation to Prompt My Witnessing

Light of the World,
Today is known in the Church as the Festival of the Epiphany, sometimes referred to less formally as “Gentile Christmas.” Whatever label we attach to it, what we are celebrating is the revelation that you are the Savior of the whole world. During the season of Epiphany, as we follow your ministry from the beginning, we see highlights that clearly make known for us who you are and why you came.

If I am going to bear witness to your work of salvation for all people, it starts with firmly embracing this most profound truth: you are my Savior. Keep this joyful truth always before me, so that it serves as the lens through which I view everything else in life. That joy, that you are mine and I am yours because of your saving work, stirs my soul and spirit, filling me with the desire and drive to make you known to others. I want to be your witness, so spur me on in that work with ongoing reminders of the joy I live in because you are my Savior.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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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. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Advent Joy

Savior Jesus,
Advent fills us with hope, peace, and joy. I thank you, Lord, for a joy in Jesus that eclipses the joy of unwrapping presents, sampling favorite Christmas cookies, and so many other Christmas traditions. As appreciated as those experiences may be, they are dependent on the circumstances: undesired gifts and unappetizing cookies don’t evoke joy! Moreover, such traditions are temporary. They come and go, and are quickly forgotten.

How unique, though, is the joy we have in you, Savior Jesus! It does not ever disappoint because it does not change. You have forever removed our sin and replaced it with your righteousness. In doing so, you have permanently changed our status and made us pleasing to God, delightful to our Father. The joy that flows from this reality is constant. It fills my heart even when external circumstances may be undesirable or exasperating. As you refresh my heart with this Advent joy leading up to Christmas, help me to excel at embracing this joy continually throughout my life. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Rejoice That You Delight in Me

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. There are so many blessings in being able to worship together with my church family. And, while Sunday mornings provide multiple ways for me to serve others, I never want to forget that the primary focus is on your service to me as my Savior. 

I don’t ever want to get used to or take for granted that you take delight in me. I am well aware that delight isn’t deserved on my part, but that just makes it all the more incredible! I know the real me – and you know the real me even better – yet you STILL delight in me! How can this be true? Jesus is the answer. In Jesus, through faith in Jesus, because of all that Jesus has carried out and completed on my behalf, you delight in me. May that Bible-backed truth lead me to rejoice in worship this morning, all day long, and throughout the Christmas season and beyond! 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

Holy Spirit,
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When I confuse happiness with joy, help me to discern the difference. Happiness is tied to my situation or to certain circumstances, which may be positive or negative. Joy however, is constant, because Jesus’ love and forgiveness are constant and unconditional.

Therefore, even after a bad day at work, I still have joy. Even when a relationship goes sour, I still have joy. Even when I receive bad news, I can take it in stride because I still have joy. When my team loses, when I forget something important, when others are inconsiderate – when anything in life happens, good or bad, I still have joy, because I still have you, Jesus. Fill my heart with the faith both to know that joy and to feel it daily. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.