Tag: gospel

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Free the Captives

Loving Redeemer,
As Isaiah prophesied, you came to proclaim freedom for captives and release from darkness for prisoners. The imagery of being imprisoned paints a powerful picture of how trapped so many are by their sin. While many experience the physical consequences of their sin, literally serving time behind bars as convicted criminals, Isaiah’s visual applies primarily to those who are figuratively and spiritually captive. For those ensnared by addictions to vices like drugs, alcohol, or pornography, it is as if they are held captive and are slaves to such things. Others feel imprisoned by guilt, unable to free themselves from it no matter how hard they try.

You’ve tasked me as your messenger to proclaim the freedom you won for them. Let me make known to them that your saving work has thrown open all prison doors – those of guilt, addiction, and all other enslavement. Let your gospel be for them the key to set them free, and compel me to go to work with that key as often as possible – the prisoners are waiting to be free!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Bind up the Brokenhearted

Loving Redeemer,
For more reasons than we could possible imagine, many are brokenhearted. Their hearts are heavy because they grieve the loss of loved ones. Their hearts hurt because others have harmed them, sometimes emotionally; other times physically. Their hearts are broken because their own past wrongs leave footprints of guilt that they cannot sweep away. 

You saw this when you walked among us. You hurt alongside the brokenhearted. But you also came to heal them, to bind them up. With your powerful touch and your healing words, you restored and made well again.

You give us the same powerful Word to bind up the brokenhearted. Let me speak that Word with the confidence and courage that it can heal wounds and soothe spirits. As I speak your Word, let the medicine of your grace and forgiveness, your mercy and relentless love, bind up the brokenhearted as only you can do, and as personally and intimately as each individual needs it. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Enrich the Spiritually Poor

Loving Redeemer,
There are so many who are spiritually poor. You have given me the good news to not only brighten their day, but to enrich them with what matters for eternity. Help me to see those without faith in you as they are spiritually: poor and penniless. No matter what earthly riches they may have, they are completely empty-handed without you. I have the message that changes that. I have the gospel. I am rich. Lead me to use the riches I have in your Word to transform the lives of those who are impoverished without you, so that they, too, might become rich.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Renewed Commitment to Be Your Witness

Loving Redeemer,
Your Word uses a so many different pictures to illustrate the condition of those without faith in you. Let those images serve as vivid reminders of how lost those without you truly are, so that they regularly remain in my thoughts and on my heart. 

But it is not enough merely to think about them, for that will bring them no closer to you, Lord. No, let my words and actions serve to continue carrying out the work the Holy Spirit anointed you to do. This week, as I reflect on the prophet Isaiah’s poetic descriptions of the lost, may they generate in me a deeper concern for the lost, a more urgent desire to actively engage them with the powerful gospel, and a renewed level of commitment and determination to follow through with those desires and carry out my calling to be your witness. Use me in your work of evangelism to reach the lost. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Be Attentive to the Preaching of Your Word

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. They provide me with the opportunity to hear the preaching of your Word when I gather with believers in worship. And, when the under shepherds of the Good Shepherd know the sheep of their congregation, the sermon often speaks specifically to the flock in that congregation. Open my ears to listen for your law, that it might uncover or expose any sin in me of which I am unaware. And in any areas where I have become too nonchalant or even comfortable with sin, let that same law accuse and convict me, for that is its work.

But that is not its greatest work of your Word by any stretch. That work belongs to the sweet and soothing certainty of your gospel, which points me to Jesus and his complete pardon from my sin. Let my ears perk up when the preacher pours out your gracious forgiveness to wash over me. May the good news be proclaimed with color and variety, so that the gospel doesn’t become washed out by the grays of monotonous and mundane preaching. Let your preachers and their sermons be a breath of fresh air and new life as they direct our eyes and our hearts to our Savior.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Imitate the Angels and Shepherds

Dear Lord,
The angels and the shepherds played critical roles in Jesus’ birth by sharing the joyful news. The angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields, alleviated their fears, and proclaimed the good news to them. Keep my eyes and ears open and alert to those around me who are also crippled by certain fears and need to hear and believe the good news. Make me a messenger to calm their fears and reassure them with the good news of a Savior who has been born for them. Give me the wisdom to help them see how your coming into the world brings true peace for them.

The angels’ role was also important that first Christmas because the shepherds would not have had any news to spread around if they had not heard it from the angels. As it did for the shepherds, let the good news of my Savior always stir my own heart to action. Make me zealous and eager to consistently make him known to others. Fill me with persistent passion so that rather than being sporadic or streaky, my evangelism efforts are a normal part of my daily living. As you used the angels and shepherds to carry out your mission that first Christmas, continue to use me to carry it out today and always with the strength and confidence you provide. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Christ-Centered Worship

Holy Father,
Sundays are sacred. In Christian freedom, we have the flexibility to enjoy many different styles and preferences for worship. The patterns or formats may vary. There are different types of music and many unique instruments on which to play. Worship arts and multimedia can be incorporated to enhance or emphasize certain elements. Preaching and teaching can reflect different approaches to communicating the Word of God. There is much variety in worship and there are many gifts to utilize. Thank you for this freedom!

Let us also use that freedom wisely. Let us appreciate your worship gifts not just as novelties to experiment with or trends to follow, but as resources to support the goal of highlighting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior. Worship done well is carried out with an excellence that displays the redemptive words and works of Jesus with beauty and clarity. Bless all Christ-centered worship and refocus all worship that isn’t, so that you, Lord God, might be glorified through your Son, and we might be edified as well.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Grace Over Guilt

Forgiving Father,
Sundays are sacred. As we gather with fellow believers for worship, may we never underestimate the amount of guilt many people bring with them into your house. There are so many burdens and so much baggage that are dragged into worship on Sunday morning. For that reason, as we fellowship and connect with one another each Sunday, help me to reinforce the good news of the gospel every opportunity I get. I want to be a part of sending off my church family for another week with forgiveness on their hearts and minds. May all those who arrive guilt-ridden depart grace-filled. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Reformation Blessings

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Today and this week, as many congregations highlight the Reformation in their worship and joint services, use the celebration of the revealed and restored gospel to fill many hearts with great joy. Thank you for those who have gone before us and stood firmly in the face of opposition and false teaching to contend for the truth of your Word. Because of their tremendous sacrifices, guided always by your Holy Spirit, the Bible remains unchained and Jesus is boldly proclaimed. As we gather for worship to hear it, speak it, and sing it, renew our appreciation for the freedom we have to make your Word central to our worship. May we always be ready and willing to reform anything that would compromise, confuse, or hinder your gospel, so that for generations to come, it may continue to refresh weary souls and breath life into the lost.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Bless Gospel Preaching

Lord of the Church,
Sundays are sacred. On no other day do so many Christians gather together at once to be served the soul-food of the gospel. Since the gospel – the good news of salvation that is ours through faith in Jesus – not only brings us to faith, but also keeps us in the faith, see that it is clearly preached and taught. Grant preachers the clarity not only to be understood, but also to avoid being misunderstood when it comes to the good news.

Remove all barriers of unclear language, confusing illustrations, unrelated storytelling, and anything else that might obscure the gospel. Spur preachers on through the power of your gospel, so that they are energized and excited to point their hearers to Jesus, and worshipers are spared from lazy and lifeless preaching. Let the good news predominate in all worship everywhere, so that the body of Christ may be built up in faith and well-equipped for Christian living. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.