Tag: discernment

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Appreciate that Unity Doesn’t Require Uniformity

Dear Jesus,
As believers, help us remember that unity does not mean uniformity. We pray for unity in carrying out our mission and remaining faithful to biblical doctrine and practice. But we can also appreciate that those priorities will not necessarily look the same everywhere. Different groups and individuals will have a variety of opinions and ideas for how to follow through with those unified priorities. We celebrate that so much in our lives falls under the realm of Christian freedom, which will naturally result in variety from one place to the next. At the same time, being unified doesn’t mean that I abuse my Christian freedom to drive my own agenda. Rather, I put “we” before “me” in your church. Help me rejoice in our unity, while always being able to distinguish that unity from uniformity. Love for you, Lord, and for my neighbor, compels it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Self-Control and Maturity

Loving Lord,
When children act up, we understand that they are still learning appropriate behavior and speech in certain situations. That’s why when adults act up, we call it childish. As we grow up, we expect grown-ups to act less like children and more like adults. That line, though, is rather blurry in our world today, Lord, and yes, oftentimes even in me. Therefore, I ask you to increase my self-control. Give me not only the awareness of when I need to filter my speech or simply keep my mouth shut, but also the ability to do it. Help me know how to conduct myself in social settings, and grant me the ability to carry out that behavior. Fill me also with self-control over my thoughts and actions when I am by myself. Curb impulses to overeat or indulge excessively, or to gorge myself on entertainment – certainly regarding what is inappropriate or sinful, but even with what is not. Equip me with both the awareness to avoid being lured into temptation, and the self-control to choose paths of righteousness in those moments instead. In all of this, move me to live not just more and more like a grown-up, but more and more as a mature believer. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Gift of Knowledge

Spirit of Knowledge,
Knowledge is a blessing both to those who have it as well as those with whom it is shared. Therefore, draw many more to the pursuit of knowledge. Thank you for the curious minds who have gone before us to discover and share what they learned, allowing generations that follow to build on their knowledge. Information is accessible to so many different people in so many different ways, enabling many minds to acquire endless knowledge. Direct those who grow in knowledge to use it for noble purposes and for the advancement and advantage of their fellow man. Combine knowledge with love so that rather than puff up the individual, it builds up many. See that the plans of those who seek to gain knowledge for sinister purposes never come to fruition and foil all malicious intent. Since the most valuable knowledge flows from knowing you and having faith in you, grant this knowledge and the gift of faith to many.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Enlightenment for Those Struggling With the Word

Sanctifying Spirit,
Your Word is life. Through it you lead us to you in faith, and through it you sustain and strengthen that faith. Yet, because your ways are not our ways nor are your thoughts our thoughts, we struggle with certain teachings in Scripture. Be present, Spirit, with those who are discouraged or doubting. Do not allow the evil one to manipulate confusion or uncertainty in such a way as to drive a wedge between our loving Father and his precious saints. Rather, use the struggle to stretch faith. Allow doubts to serve as a reflection of our own weakness, leading to a greater reliance on God’s strength. Use the clear passages of Scripture to illuminate difficult teachings and so enlighten believers to your precious and powerful promises. Bring your gift of unity wherever the devil divides, and thwart his efforts to use your Word to turn your people against each other and against you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the President

Sovereign Lord,
Surround the President of the United States with guidance, wisdom, and maturity through councils, committees, and confidants who genuinely have the best interests of the American people at heart. Grant him the humility to seek and accept direction from others and the confidence to make difficult decisions for the greater good. Move him to lead with integrity and honesty, not seeking to shift blame when wrong, but being quick to take responsibility for poor judgment or mistakes. Help him to learn from his errors so that he is always growing and developing his leadership skills. Bestow on him the ability to demonstrate a gentle and compassionate spirit when necessary, and the willingness to be firm whenever appropriate. Lead him to prioritize prudence over popularity and to exercise discernment to avoid division whenever possible. When the gravity of his responsibilities weighs on him, or his heart is troubled, give him peace of mind. You alone, Lord, know what is in his heart, and you alone can change and transform his heart to suit your perfect purposes. Do so as you see fit, to bless both his leadership and those he leads. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Distinguish Between What’s Interesting and What’s Important

Santifying Spirit,
Our days are filled with choices to make. Possibilities are endless. Without your guidance and direction, we pursue far too much that offers little more than entertainment value, not truly serving you, others, or ourselves in any meaningful way. Grant us the discernment to differentiate what is interesting and what is important. We are easily deceived into believing something is important simply because we’re interested in it. But when you enlighten us to compare what you consider important with what we consider important, the differences become glaringly obvious. Then, when we see the differences, give us the discipline to pursue more God things than just good things. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Dream and to Do

Dear Lord,
You created us with a unique capacity to envision what could be and to imagine possibilities. We are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made in these ways and so many others, for which we are extremely grateful. Nevertheless, without any action, dreams never take shape and become reality. Therefore, make me also a man of action, someone with the self-discipline not just to dream, but to do. Guide me with the discernment to balance between being overly cautious in preparation, resulting in unnecessarily long delays, and being too hasty to rush into action without enough preparation. Keep me from being frozen by indecision and give me a willingness to fail forward, confident that corrections and adjustments are always a part of progress. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.