Tag: patience

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Dealing with Difficult People

Lord God,
In our prayers this week, we’ll be looking to you for guidance and direction for dealing with difficult people in our lives. Hear our prayers, so that as we engage with hard people, we reflect you well and honor you in every interaction. Provide us with an increase in patience for all such communications. And, rather than viewing these discussions as a battle to be won, let the primary goal be arriving at the best possible solution for both parties.

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 Listen Attentively to Others

Gracious Lord,
You are never too busy to listen to my prayers. No matter how distant or persistent I may be, your ears are always open. You hear my requests and answer them in the way that is best for me. I pray you never turn your ear or your face away from me.

Let your willingness to listen to me spur on my willingness to listen to others. No matter how busy I may be, keep me always willing to listen attentively to others. So many wish to talk, but so few can patiently and properly listen, too. Use me as a sounding board for others to share and open up, and as I actively listen, make me aware of opportunities to love and serve my neighbor in their need. When so many in today’s world are hurried and rushed, let me stand out by slowing down and listening to others.

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. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Prayers from the Prodigal (Part 1)

Forgiving Father,
Through the “lost” parables in Luke 15, we become aware of how radical your grace truly is. The father’s compassionate welcome of his wayward younger son becomes even more real to us when our eyes are opened to see how often we are that younger son. Rather than finding joy and satisfaction being in the presence of his father, he chose to chase after material things. Rather than faithfully serving his father and family at home, he served himself and went his own way. 

I see myself in him so often! To have you is not enough – I deceive myself into thinking that the world has something that will satisfy me more, so I chase after this and that, only to end up empty-handed. I live for me rather than for you and my fellow believers and my neighbors in need. When I fall into these traps, turn me, like the younger son, away from it all and lead me to run back to you with a repentant heart. Welcome this selfish sinner back again, as you have so many times before, with open arms and gushing with grace. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Manage My Emotions

Patient Lord,
This time of year can be one that is filled with tension and stress. On top of the normal daily to-do’s, there are additional deadlines and added responsibilities at home, work, and school. All of these factors provide ripe opportunities for impatience to creep in and for my temper to flare. 

I ask you, therefore, to help me be aware of all this so that I am actively managing my emotions well and not letting them get the better of me. As I sense my irritability levels rising and my patience running thin, I know I need to take control of my thoughts and redirect them to thoughts of peace and serenity. Place your Word and many rich promises on my heart at those times, so that I may find refuge in them even when everything around me feels chaotic and out of control. By your Spirit, keep me calm and in control of my thoughts and emotions. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Thank You for Your Patience

Patient Father,
How exhausting it must be for you to look on us and see how slow we are to grow in our faith and sanctified living. Your patience with us is unrivaled! Thank you for not writing me off or giving up on me.

Do not let me mistake your patience for permission, however. I never want to take your patience for granted or presume that because you haven’t turned your back on me, it doesn’t really matter how I live. Instead, I pray that your patience prompts my desire to please you even more in every way. May the grace that you continually grant me serve to spur on my good deeds and shape my sanctification. Pass a rich measure of your patience along to me as well, that I might show the same lenience to others that you extend to me.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Thank You for Being Patient With Me

Dear Lord,
Thank you for being patient with me. You call us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow you, but it comes so naturally to me to turn your call around. I too willingly lay down my cross to follow my own self-serving interests. I savor sin in my own life rather than shunning it. I thoughtlessly dismiss your Word rather than delighting in it daily.  I am such a far cry from what you created and redeemed me to be and I know full well what I deserve because of it!

Yet in perfect patience, you welcome me with open arms every single time I turn to you in repentance. And you rejoice every time, like the shepherd who tracks down his lost sheep and the woman who finds her lost coin! You patiently restore me, refresh my soul, and set me back on your paths of righteousness. You do not give up on me when my sanctification is sluggish. You do not turn your back on me when I am slow to trust the truths of your Word. May your patience with me never run out, and may I need less and less of it as you continue to grow me in faith.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.