Tag: forgive

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Genuine Repentance

Spirit of Truth,
When I recognize both the gravity of my sin and the gravity of my Savior’s sacrifice for my sin, I realize there is no place for a casual relationship with sin in my life. Therefore, I ask you to work in me a penitent heart. Move my repentance beyond apologies to include action. Forgive me for ever trying to pass off repentance as merely uttering the words, “I’m sorry.” Let my contrition be genuine, and let it be reflected by behavior that is not quick to return to sin again immediately after my confession and apology. Instead, let my repentance be the real change you call for from your disciples. Since this doesn’t come naturally to me, cause your Spirit to dwell in me through your Word and Sacrament, stir my heart to sincere daily repentance, and my life to daily display it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Forgiveness to Forgive

Merciful Father,
I stand before you forgiven. Undeservedly. Unconditionally. Unquestionably. Freely. Fully.

Move me to forgive others. Undeservedly. Unconditionally. Unquestionably. Freely. Fully. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Be Excited to Forgive Others

Forgiving Lord,
Make me eager to forgive. You’ve entrusted to us the authority to forgive others who are sorry for their sin, and to warn those who aren’t that they are forfeiting your forgiveness. This is no small responsibility! Neither is it optional, since you build your Church on the gracious forgiveness that you extend to and through believers. You paid for all sin, not so that we would relish the times to refuse forgiveness for those with no remorse, but to delight in the privilege of announcing forgiveness to sorry sinners. Do not let me ever be the one to clog up the funnel of forgiveness you long to lavish on all people. Instead, grant me great joy in every opportunity to announce the peace of your forgiveness.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Your Law to Convict and Condemn

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. We rejoice wherever Christ is clearly proclaimed, for where the cross is, salvation is there with it. However, if we don’t know why we need Christ, then we may miss out on salvation. Therefore, let your law be preached, too, not as a slap on the wrist, but in all its terrifying severity, so that sin might be called out and exposed. Let your law hit its mark for those being deceived into thinking they can hide or harbor their sin. Where it convicts and condemns, use your law to bring about repentance so that sinners turn to you for rescue and redemption. Then, in your mercy, soothe their souls with the assurance that you declare them no longer guilty through faith in Jesus. Ease their troubled hearts with the peace of your forgiveness and the promise of restoration and new life in Christ.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Rest

Loving Lord,
We are always on the go. We treat every gap in our schedule as a blank space that needs to be filled. We can’t stand missing out on the experience someone else (or someone else’s kids) had. Just one more thing. Just a little bit more. We are too easily deceived by the lie that we can pack 30+ hours into a 24-hour day.

We need rest – in our body, in our mind, in our spirit. Maintaining a breakneck pace in life takes its toll on our bodies. We cut out sleep and settle for a diet that leaves us undernourished. Our racing minds have lost the ability to unwind and unravel during even the slightest bit of downtime because our screens enslave us. Spiritually, you are often the last thing we try to squeeze in, and by that time, we’ve already exhausted ourselves. 

Forgive us. Refresh us. Renew us. Reframe our thinking so that we start with you and fit everything else after, for only in you will we ever find the kind of soul rest the world simply cannot provide.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Free-Flowing Forgiveness in Marriage

Christ Our Savior,
In marriage, you bring together two people who are willing to commit to each other for life. When they exchange vows, they make promises to be faithful. However, whenever you bring two sinners together, commitments and promises are destined to be broken. For that reason, Lord, in addition to asking for your help and aid in keeping husband and wife committed to each other, equip them also to excel in the grace of forgiving. Allow your forgiveness to flow freely to and through spouses to each other, and put up your protective barrier around them to guard them from bitterness, grudges, and resentment. Finally, send your Holy Spirit to reinforce Christian marriages with a steady supply of apologies and absolution.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Take the First Step

God of Reconciliation,
Only you know how many friendships and relationships are on life support right now. While both parties in some of those situations may actually be better off by going their separate ways, many other relationships can not only be salvaged, but even prosper through reconciliation. I pray for the individuals in those situations to be open to the possibility of restoring their relationship. Free them from any bitterness or anger between them that has only hardened them even more. Burst their pride and overwhelm them with a clear sense of the magnitude of your forgiveness for them, so that they are spurred on to forgive each other. Make each party willing to make the first move, whether that includes a confession or a call to repentance. Give them a sensitivity to the hurt or pain they may have caused, and allow your gospel to take center stage as they work toward reconciliation. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Relief From Sin’s Burdens

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. When we walk through the doors of your house of worship, we bring with us the spiritual and emotional baggage we have accumulated over the course of the past week. Through confession, lead us to own up to our self-imposed burdens, the ones brought on by our own sins. Remove also the hurt from sins committed against us. By the remembrance of our baptism, lighten our load. Where your Supper is served, feed hungry souls longing for the taste of grace and your assurance of forgiveness. While we may enter your presence bearing these burdens and heavy loads, ensure that we depart empty-handed, with lighter hearts and refreshed spirits, renewed and eager to love and serve you and our neighbor. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Heal Broken Marriages

God of Marriage,
You instituted the blessed gift of marriage. Through it, you provide husbands and wives with an opportunity to experience from each other small samples of the unconditional grace and unwavering commitment that you show to believers. Sadly, when infidelity or adultery shatters a marriage, it turns one of your greatest gifts into one of the most painful hurts. Where husbands have caused this hurt, lead them to true repentance and work in them both a genuine desire to reconcile, and also a willingness to show it by their fruit. Where husbands have been on the receiving end of this hurt, heal their hearts, provide them with an abundant measure of grace and patience, and lead them on a path that arrives at forgiveness. Wherever possible, provide those involved with the strength and courage to make every effort to repair and restore the broken marriage bond, so that by your grace, it might be stronger than ever, and Satan’s plans fail miserably.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Live Daily in Confession

Gracious Father,
Although I strive to live along your path of righteousness, I cannot hide that even my best efforts leave me stumbling off that path more times than I could ever number. My own waywardness prompts not only my commitment to do better, but also my confession when I have strayed. Let it be for me a daily practice to come before you with an honest and open heart, laying before you my sins and failures. Do not allow me to deceive myself in pretending that I could hide my faults from you. Move me to come clean in your presence. Equip me with the discernment to uncover the idols hidden in my heart so that you may purify me by your grace and cleanse me with your unconditional forgiveness. Wash away my sins, renew my soul and spirit, and lead me back along your path of righteousness. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.