DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those Battling Bitterness

Prince of Peace,
I approach your throne of grace today on behalf of all who are consumed by bitterness and anger. When isolation becomes more frequent, spoken responses are short and sharp, and social media posts are filled with negativity and animosity, those are often outward expressions of internal turmoil. Lead friends and family members to recognize such signs as an opportunity to check in and offer whatever help they can. A listening ear can go a long way, Lord. Use whatever means necessary to root out resentment in those who are struggling, and replace it with real peace of mind. We know that such peace comes from knowing the One who has overcome the trouble we face in this world. Make him known to those battling bitterness, so they can know what it’s like to be free from it. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Imitate Joseph

Forgiving Father,
When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers visiting him in Egypt, two things stood out about his handling of the situation that I want to imitate. First, even with all the traumatic experiences in his past that had taken place to get him to that point, he displayed complete confidence in your navigation of it all for the greater good. He knew you were using those seasons of adversity, during which he must have felt hopeless at times, to ultimately bless and save many lives through his leadership. Remind me during hard seasons in my life of how capable you are of bringing your blessing out of any situation imaginable, and lead me to trust that you are doing just that.

Secondly, even though Joseph was in a position to ignore, shame, severely punish, or even put to death his brothers for their past treatment of him, he harbored no ill will and showed them nothing but love and affection. How hard this is when others mistreat me! I prefer to ruminate over how poorly I was treated, bathe in bitterness, or scheme to get even in some fashion. But Joseph’s is the better way, because it is your way. You did not treat those who mistreated you the way they deserved to be treated. Instead, you forgave them; you forgave me. Give me the same spirit that is eager to forgive and reconcile, no matter the wrong carried out against me, just as Joseph and Jesus did.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.