Tag: neighbor

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Awareness to Serve Others

Servant Lord,
Whatever plans I have in mind for today, I submit them to you. When I order my days, I often do so from the viewpoint of what I want to do or need to do. Instead, lead me first to approach each day with consideration for what you would have me do. For you not only know what is best for me on a daily basis, but also how best to use me to bless others through me. Keep my eyes and my heart open every day for opportunities to set aside my own agenda when the needs of others become apparent, and give me a willing spirit to meet those needs however I can. Let me glorify you as I serve as your hands and feet to others.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Extend Kindness to Others

Kind Savior,
In the always-busy, hectic pace of life by which our society lives, it’s so easy to forget about how we treat others. Even unintentionally, we can give people the impression that we don’t care about them or that they are unimportant to us, to say nothing of the times we deliberately mistreat or ignore others. 

Help me counter this trend by slowing down my own pace, allowing more margin for and in between my daily activities, and then consciously and intentionally looking for opportunities to be kind to others. Sometimes it may simply be a smile. Other times a nod or an affirming look. A kind gesture or act of kindness that is only a small or simple thing to me may end up being the highlight of another person’s day. Move me to be eager about spreading kindness, and free me to do so by focusing less on myself and more on how you might use me to bless others. Help me to show the gratitude I feel for your never-ending kindness to me by expressing kindliness toward others.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Dealing with Difficult Neighbors

Dear Lord,
When dealing with difficult neighbors, help me to keep in mind the importance of positive and productive interactions, since we regularly come into contact with our neighbors. If they are being inconsiderate or obnoxious, don’t allow that to justify an inconsiderate or obnoxious response from me. Instead, let me bring my concerns to them in humility and with a gentle spirit. When I feel they are being overbearing, nitpicking, or looking for reasons to complain about property upkeep or community guidelines, give me discernment in trying to alleviate their concerns with a level head. Lead us to strive to maintain peaceful relations for the greater good of the whole neighborhood, and let me be especially mindful of my treatment of them when seeking to build bridges to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Know My Enemies – And to Love Them

God of Love,
You don’t just call me to be a neighbor and to love my neighbors, but also to love my enemies. While I may tend to think of extreme examples when I think about who my enemies are, give me a more discerning perspective on who you’re really calling me to love. You’re calling me to love my obnoxious family member who gets a kick out of ruffling everyone’s feathers. You’re calling me to love my blowhard coworker, who feels compelled to share a loudmouth opinion about everything. You’re calling me to love the person who, for reasons I cannot even explain, irritates me just by being in the same room. You’re calling me to love the person who is habitually unkind and downright cruel to others. You’re calling me to love my spouse, even when my needs aren’t being met. It isn’t easy to love such people, Lord! You, of all people, should know, for you love even me. Let that truth empower my love for others – even my enemies.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Eagerly Serve My Neighborhood and Community

Selfless Savior,
The entirety of your law is summed up in one word: love. We know full well that we are called to love you above all else. We easily forget, however, that our love for you is also expressed in how we love our neighbor. While anyone in need is included in the category of neighbor, let us not overlook our literal neighbors – those living next to and around us in our neighborhoods.

Help us to love our neighbor and our community as you have loved us. Let us never become weary of carrying out good works on their behalf. Whether those works come in the form of informal service to a neighbor in an unexpected or sudden moment of need, or through formal volunteer service in community organizations and efforts, use believing men everywhere to build up and bless their communities. In these ways, let not only your goodness, but also your gospel, spread and be known. Make me the kind of neighbor that everyone wishes would live next door. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Love My Next-Door Neighbor

Light of the World,
When you told us to love our neighbor, you were calling us to extend our love to all people in need. Yet, when we think about how to put this into practice, sometimes we forget about our physical neighbors who literally live next door to us. Some we know quite well; others we may not even know by name. Shift our perspective to view our next-door neighbors front-line opportunities to let our light shine and put love into practice.

Help me to be deliberate about building deeper relationships with my neighbors by meeting their needs whenever I can and being interested in their lives in general. When neighbors are without faith in you as their Savior, let me pay special attention to them so that I am very aware of openings to bring you into the picture in one way or another. Whatever it looks like in my context, however the chance arises, let me boldly love my neighbor – starting with the one next door. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Serve Others as You Serve Us

Loving Savior,
On this Holy Thursday we see your heart for service. In a beautiful act of humble service, you washed your disciples feet and called them – and us – to lovingly imitate your willing spirit to serve others. Forgive us for continuing to fall for the foolish lie that fulfillment comes from the selfish service of putting ourselves first. Open our eyes to see and believe the truth that our hearts find true fulfillment in loving and serving our neighbor.

On this night you also served not only your disciples in the upper room, but also your church for generations to come. You did this by transforming the Passover meal from just a meal of remembrance into the sacred Supper by which you serve your very body and blood for forgiveness. Still today, whenever we receive the bread and your body, the wine and your blood, you serve us the food that fortifies and fills up our faith. Serve us always, so that through your service to us, we find all that we need to also serve others. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Love Others Every Day

God of Love,
Lead me to love others every day, and not just on special occasions or designated holidays. While such occasions can serve as good reminders to love one another and to make sure we express that love through words and actions, your call to love others applies 24/7. When we are intentional about loving our neighbor (or enemy!) at all times, we then serve as reflections of your love at all times.

When I find it difficult to love others, direct my thoughts both to your perfect example of love throughout your life and also to your loving sacrifice for my life. May those spur on my love. When it is easier to love others, keep that love from turning into favoritism. Generate an increase of love in our society to counter division and hate, without allowing the guise of love to compromise the truth.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Be Aware of the Needs of Others

Compassionate Savior,
During your time on earth, as both God and man, you were aware of the needs of others. Sometimes your omniscience revealed these needs; other times you were simply socially aware enough to pick up on when others were hurting or experiencing some degree of loss. You then responded accordingly, never too busy for others or too self-absorbed that you overlooked or ignored the needs of others.

While I want to be focused and faithful to my callings in life, never allow my concentration in one area of life to result in my inattentiveness to the needs of others. My calling to be a neighbor to others in need often opens the door to opportunities for you to be made known and glorified. Therefore, grant me the emotional intelligence to sense when others are hurting or need help. Whether the cues are subtle or plain as day, let me pick up on them, so that in whatever way possible, I may love and serve my neighbor according to his needs.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the People You’ve Placed in My Life

Triune God,
When I think of all the people you have placed in my life, I am grateful. Over time, so many others have left their mark in my life. Still today, so many surround me with encouragement, support, and direction, as well as correction and rebuke when necessary. When I consider the impact others have had in my life and the roles they have played, it is quite clear that your intent was never for our walk of faith to be one lived and carried out in isolation. I thank you for those who bless and challenge me in so many ways, and I ask you to bless them in return.

Bless my biological family and my church family. Bless my friends in general, both far-away and nearby, and especially those with whom I share tighter bonds and closer connections. Bless my neighbors and coworkers. Bless my online connections, and bless those right now whom you plan to bring into my life at some point in the future. Continue to weave your blessings into my life and into the lives of many through all of these interconnected relationships.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.