DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Be Troubled by Unrighteousness

Lord Jesus,
As you saw your temple turned into a marketplace where conducting business was being prioritized over worship, you channeled your righteous anger to admonish and rebuke wrongdoers. While only your righteous anger alone is truly justified on account of your own holiness, I confess that I am too infrequently troubled by unrighteousness – both that of those around me as well as my own. I become too comfortable with a lower standard of Christian living and become accustomed to the world’s ways. Make known to me the things in me and around me that trouble you, and cause them to leave me troubled as well. Without allowing me to become a pharisaical pietist, help me to raise the bar of my own sanctification and to patiently encourage others to do the same.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Palm Sunday and Holy Week

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. This day is one of the highlights of the church year, as Palm Sunday ushers in Holy Week. I pray that believers all over the world today are inspired by Jesus’ humble ride into Jerusalem, determined to do what needed to be done to redeem sinners. As believers recall your procession and the hosannas that accompanied it, use today’s Palm Sunday worship to activate Christians to prioritize the added worship opportunities this week. Then, as we mindfully retrace once again our Savior’s steps to suffer and die, strengthen us and fortify your church with renewed vigor to carry out her mission. Hosanna in the highest!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Care for My Parents

Perfect Father,
While I may not live under their roof anymore, the Fourth Commandment still applies, so I want to honor my parents. While no parents are perfect, mine helped shape me into who I am today, so good, bad, or otherwise, I am thankful for them. I can always do a better job of communicating with them. Help me prioritize them so they never feel that I am too busy for them or don’t have any time for them.

Give patience and perseverance to all taking on the responsibility of caregivers for their parents in any capacity. Let their help and support be a blessing and not a burden for them. Lead them to view their responsibilities to their parents as a joyful opportunity to thank them for the years of love and support they provided throughout childhood up to the present day. Let my gratitude for my parents be expressed to them in such ways that they know how loved and appreciated they are. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Christian Schools

Lord God,
Thank you for schools that provide a Christian Education. When congregations are able to offer elementary schools as a part of their ministry, both the congregation and the community are richly blessed. The standards are high and the flexibility of curriculum choices allows them to avoid certain controversial content. However, there is no greater benefit than Jesus that Christian schools are able to offer. To nurture and equip not just the mind, but also hearts of faith provides an eternal reward to students. For high schools and colleges that allow students to continue on this path of spiritual instruction, thank you. 

Through these schools, your impact often goes beyond the student into the home, so I pray that your Spirit stretches his reach into the hearts of not just students in school, but their families as well. And, because teaching young minds is no small task, I also ask that you equip teachers and professors in these schools with patience, wisdom, and compassion for their students. Let your light shine brightly in them, so that they put the love of Jesus on display for their students and other faculty members to see. Continue to use Christian schools to build up your church and equip believers for this life and the next.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Prioritize What Is Praiseworthy

Sanctifying Spirit,
Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy – lead me to think about such things (Philippians 4:8). There is so much all around me that isn’t necessarily wrong or sinful, but neither does it fit the description of positive things on which to direct my attention. In a culture that is completely comfortable with and permissive of sex, violence, horror, and gore, I want to swim against the current. Help me to guard my heart against foolish FOMO when it involves glorifying anything that fails to bring you glory.

While I know that many voices – even those of my brothers in the faith – may downplay or diminish my choices for a variety of reasons, grant me a resolute spirit of determination to stay strong and stay the course. Grant me the self-control to not only care for my own soul in this way, but to inspire and positively influence others to do the same, so that through our collective efforts you continue to raise up strong Christian men and build up the body of Christ. 

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

To Make Your Mission Mine

Dear Jesus,
Keep me on mission – not mine, but yours. The daily grind can keep me from remembering that as one who has been bought and paid for by you, I have also been set aside for your purposes. In addition to your general call to daily put my faith into practice in all walks of life, you commission believers to spread your gospel to the ends of the earth. So many are blindly stumbling in the darkness of unbelief, either unconcerned or unaware that they stand lost and condemned without you.

Unloose my tongue so that the joy of salvation spills from my lips as freely and effortlessly as possible. Make me as passionate for your mission as you were to secure salvation for all. Place me in situations that provide the setting to point others to your grace and forgiveness. Give me ears that are willing to listen for opportunities to bring you into the conversation and make you known. Fill me with passion to fervently and faithfully carry out your mission.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Discern Between Trash and Treasure

Loving Father,
You richly bless us with so many material blessings, but we forget how easily our hearts can treasure your gifts more than you, the Giver. Help me discern between trash and my true treasure – you – so that nothing would ever come between us now or for eternity. When I struggle to identify what those things might be in my life, direct me to a trustworthy and respected friend for help. Give me the humility to ask them if they notice any red flags or concerns that reflect any unhealthy attachment(s) to things or people in my life. Then, give me the humility to listen to what they may have to say, without defending or excusing anything, but simply taking it to heart for further personal evaluation. If anything or anyone appears to have a greater hold on my heart than you, Lord, give me the discipline to detach from it or discard it entirely. Let there be no shared space in my heart for anything else that would deceive me into allowing it to coexist alongside you, my greatest treasure. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Give Thoughtfully

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. When we gather to worship you, we do so primarily to be on the receiving end of your rich blessings. However, your grace and generosity to us also generate in us the desire to express our gratitude and think through our offerings. In this day and age, convenient digital options have often replaced the collection plate and other physical, in-person methods of giving offerings. As a result, it’s easier than ever for us to forget or neglect our offerings. I am grateful for the many different means by which I can give, but I seek your guidance both to work in me a generous spirit, and also to reflect on and act regularly regarding my offerings. Thank you for blessing me with the resources to give back to you and to support the important work of your gospel in and through your church.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Befriend Others

Friend of Sinners,
Friendship is exactly what many need. While it is true that we always have a friend in you, you have also created us with a need to connect with other human beings. I am grateful for all the friendships you have blessed me with in my life, but I am also aware that there are many who are not able even to name a close friend. Help me keep my eyes opened for such individuals, and where possible, help me befriend them. Let me be ears to listen to them and allow me opportunities to show love and concern, so that in seeing my care for them, they may also come to know and appreciate how much greater your care for them is, and to know that they always have a friend in you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.