DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Conversion of Others

Dear Redeemer,
I am grateful for the many believers you have placed in my life to support and encourage me in my faith. But not everyone in my circles believes, and I boldly ask for you to change that. Whether it is through my relationship with them and my efforts to lead them to faith in you, or by any other means, I humbly ask that you lead them to know and believe in you as their Savior. Let your law convince them of the inescapable reality of their sin, the undeniable truth that they can never attain the perfection you require of them, and the conclusion that they can do nothing to save themselves. 

Then, reach into their despair and hopelessness with the good news of your gospel. Show them that you alone are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that no one is saved apart from you, but that all can be saved through faith in you. Open the eyes of their heart to see your perfection as theirs, and your payment for their sin as complete. Grant them the joy of salvation and the hope of eternal life. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Daily Blessings of My Baptism

Gracious Father,
Thank you for the blessings of my baptism. Through this gracious act you have achieved for me so much to sustain me spiritually throughout my life. Lead me to benefit daily from reflecting on the spiritual realities that are mine through this precious gift. Since my baptism assures me that I belong in your family, it keeps me secure and stable whether I am experiencing sensational successes or frustrating failures in my life, for neither takes away from or adds to my place in the family. I am still yours.

When the guilt of my sin lingers far too long, I can revisit my baptismal font for the refreshing reminder that my sin has been washed away through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

When my life lacks purpose or I feel like I am wondering aimlessly, wondering what to do, my baptism redirects me to the new life and purpose I have in Jesus, providing meaning for my many callings to joyfully serve others in so many ways. 

Thank you for the blessings of my baptism. Lead me to treasure them daily. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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

To Lead Others to Their Savior

Saving Lord,
You remind us repeatedly in your Word that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Your gift of salvation and your desire to save are the heart of Scripture and what binds it all together. I rejoice that I am numbered among those you have saved!

But there are many who still do not know of your desire to save or how you went about securing their salvation. How easily I allow this reality to get lost in the busyness of life and buried beneath other priorities!  You have placed many people in my life, and I regularly meet and engage with new people, but their salvation often isn’t even on my radar.

I pray for you to change that. Keep the salvation of others at the forefront of my heart and mind. Don’t allow other things – even good things – to overshadow the most important thing: that as many as possible come to know and believe in you as their Savior. Use all that I am, all the time, resources, and gifts that you have entrusted to me, to lead others to the joy of their salvation. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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. 

Works Won’t Work (Sermon)

We know that heaven isn’t earned, right? We know that our works count for nothing as far as our salvation is concerned, don’t we? So we say. Nevertheless, our way of thinking and our very lives themselves often reveal otherwise. This morning we take an honest look at our works and where they really rank in our lives.

“Works Won’t Work” (Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 sermon), was preached at Shepherd of the Hills Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS) on Sunday, March 8, 2020.