Tag: disciple

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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To Establish the Habit of Weekly Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. One of the most blessed routines we can establish is gathering weekly in your house for worship. Since we are creatures of habit, help believers dial in the habit of worshiping every week. When we settle for less than weekly worship, we are more likely to leave open the door of compromise and find ourselves more willing to favor other plans. While there are certainly extenuating circumstances that can keep your people away from your house on Sunday mornings, make those the exception and not the rule. Whether a worshiper is new to the faith or a mature Christian, graciously remove as many roadblocks as possible that keep your people from regular weekly worship. Finally, grant faithful attenders a rich measure of your spiritual blessings to fill up their faith as you draw them to you through Word and Sacrament. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Hope as We Bear Our Crosses

Lord Jesus,
We know that trials, pain, and suffering are not only unavoidable in a world covered by a constant cloud of sin, but also that we ought to expect them as your disciples. You assure believers that hardships will be littered along our path throughout life as a direct result of our faith in you. So, Lord, rather than ask you to remove what you’ve already told us to expect, we ask you to reinforce us with the hope to endure as we bear these crosses. You have promised that no amount of suffering we’ll ever face is even worth being in the same conversation as the magnificent glory that awaits our eternity with you. And, rather than mere wishful thinking, this present hope we have of a glorious future is steadfast and certain, because it is anchored in the past reality of your suffering, death, and resurrection, which already secured our eternity. Galvanize us with this hope in the face of any cross you call us to bear.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Guys to Find Community

Lord God,
Connecting with other guys doesn’t always come very naturally for men. Many struggle when they live isolated lives and have very limited interaction with other guys. When that is the case, not only do we often limit our potential, but we also leave ourselves susceptible to making poor choices that lead to questionable or regrettable behavior. Of course, keeping the wrong company can also bring about the same damaging effects. Therefore, please provide positive opportunities and experiences for guys to find community with like-minded, godly, spiritually mature men. Lead them to want to be led and to have the courage to lead others, and through that leadership, heighten the level of respect shared among brothers. When those relationships exist, rich blessings will follow as men encourage, admonish, challenge, and support each other in powerful ways. Through all of this, raise up more men to bring greater glory to you through their righteous living.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Godparents to Be a Blessing to Their Godchildren

Lord of the Church,
Godly godparents may be some of the most under-appreciated gifts you give believers. Christian parents may not always take advantage of the blessed tradition of choosing godparents, or they may not give much prayerful deliberation to their choice if they do. Godparents, too, may overlook or neglect their important roles. Nevertheless, guide your church to retain this practice, to expand its awareness, and to heighten its importance. Your little baptized saints growing up in the world today are in as much need of prayer and spiritual care as ever. Place godchildren on the hearts of their godparents regularly. Direct them to your throne of grace on their behalf, and lead them to welcome and embrace the role of helping disciple their godchildren in every way possible. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Confidence to Teach Others

Perfect Teacher,
There is no salvation apart from hearing of you, knowing what you have done, and believing it. So, since no one can be saved without learning, it follows that no one can be saved without teaching. We may not always feel confident in our ability to teach others when it comes to your Word, but since disciples are always learning and growing, we are by default filled with what we need to teach others. The teaching we do will not likely take place in a classroom, but in day-to-day living and through one-on-one relationships. You do not require experts to teach others, just believers putting their faith into practice through a willingness to disciple others. Make me one of them.   

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Appreciate Adversity

Mighty God,
We don’t pray for hardship or struggle for ourselves or others, yet through them, you discipline us and teach us perseverance. Since these blessings would be rare to come by apart from adversity, thank you for allowing difficulties to come into our lives. Use them to build us up into what you need us to be. Make us resilient and ready for future challenges. Lead us to lean on you and into you for determination and direction.  Stretch our gratitude to more deeply appreciate the degree of suffering you obediently endured in our place.  Change our mindset about struggles into one that welcomes them as learning experiences that pull us in closer to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For New Believers

Holy Spirit,
We rejoice along with the angels in heaven every time a soul is snatched from the darkness of unbelief and brought into the wonderful light of salvation through faith in Jesus! Thank you for the gift of faith that you plant in the hearts of believers through your Word. Continue to nurture the faith of new believers so that the roots of their faith run deep. We know how tirelessly the evil one schemes to attack new believers and cause as much damage as possible to uproot their faith. Protect them with the armor of God. Lead them into the safety and solidarity of a local church that upholds your Word as its greatest treasure and faithfully adheres to it. Surround new Christians with mature brothers and sisters in Christ who seek to actively disciple them. Mature them in their faith so that they are equipped to glorify you in all that they do, and include them in the church’s disciple-making mission so that they can experience first-hand the joy of being used by you to be a part of seeing other souls saved.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Accountability and Encouragement

Lord God,
Your Spirit works in me the desire to do your will. My inability to follow through or carry out your will is my fault alone. Give me the humility to seek out a friend and brother in the faith to aid me in my walk, and to provide me with accountability and correction. Where my desire falls short or my discipline is lacking, use this individual to speak the truth in love to me. Establish a trust between us that allows him to tell me what I need to hear, no matter how difficult it may be, and give me the spiritual maturity to receive and accept his admonishment as it is intended: for my good. For such a relationship to bear fruit, I need to be honest and transparent with him. Give me the courage to consider and seek out someone who could serve in this way and bless each of us through this bond.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Lead Others Spiritually

Faithful Father,
You have made us your disciples by your grace, through your Word. Discipleship includes continuing to personally grow in that grace through your Word. And, as men, our discipleship also includes leading our wives and families in their growth, too. I have so much room to grow! Guide and direct me first and foremost to grow in my own personal faith, so that as I do, I am better equipped to lead others. Since discipling includes discipline, grant me the motivation and discipline to prioritize my spiritual leadership. Dispel my fears with faith, and fill me with the Spirit’s zeal and confidence to embrace my call to lead. Where I see my own shortcomings, help me see your strength. Where I see my inadequacy, help me see your infallibility. Build others up through me so that we all may boast more in you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.