DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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

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. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Let Your Light Shine Brightly

Light of the World,
You came into the world to shine the bright light of your glorious salvation through your holy life, your undeserved death, and your magnificent resurrection. Now, you rule over all things and work them out for the good of your church. Nevertheless, so many who are outside the realm of your kingdom still don’t know the light of salvation. Use me to light a candle and make your gracious forgiveness known. Shine the joy and certainty of salvation through me as I witness to others. No one needs to remain in the darkness of unbelief and sin, since you came to undo their permanent reign. Light up the world, and use me to do it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To See the Darkness in the World and in Me

Light of the World,
The world is a dark place. It is steeped in the darkness of sin and unbelief. I see this darkness in headlines and breaking news far too frequently. But, even more troubling than that, I see it in myself as well. I am no stranger to the shadows, since they emanate from within me. Though I am forgiven and set free by your grace, I still battle against the sinful flesh that craves to cover the world in darkness. Help me to see myself through the lens that is the light of your salvation, so that I become more and more interested not in dispersing the darkness, but in dispelling it. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Marvel at Jesus’ Baptism – and My Own

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. In many churches that follow the pattern of the church year, Jesus’ baptism will be the focus of worship today. At his baptism, not only did you voice your approval of your Son for those present to hear, but the anointing power of the Holy Spirit was also visible in the form of a dove. Armed with the strength of the Spirit, your Son set out to begin his ministry and to fulfill all that was necessary to achieve our salvation. Having accomplished all that needed to be done, he also established the blessing of baptism for us, connecting us through it to every benefit he secured for us. Let believers marvel at Jesus’ baptism, so they are led to deeply treasure their own. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Grace to Forgive Others

Forgiving Savior,
When we celebrate your arrival on Christmas, we are celebrating that you came to free us and forgive us. You did not come to condemn, but to save. Indeed, our every wrong has been washed away, and we stand faultless before you. Not on our own merits, but entirely on your efforts alone. Undeserving as we are, we are fully forgiven.

Too often, we find ourselves in situations in which we flat out refuse or are reluctant to extend that same grace and patience to others. We allow bitterness or resentment to creep into our hearts, and then, instead of getting rid of it, we nurture it and allow it to take root. Forgive us for our failures in forgiving others. Let your mercy to us be the catalyst by which we cast out whatever might be hindering us from forgiving others. Enable us to see others as you do, broken sinners in need of grace. Then, help us eagerly funnel your forgiveness to them as freely as you do to us. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

Thank You for Your Dedication to Our Salvation

Giving Father,
Thank you for all that you graciously provide for our lives, none of which is deserved or earned by our efforts. While this is true of all gifts we receive from your hand, the gift of salvation and the guarantee of eternal life that come with it are unrivaled. These exceptional gifts stand out all the more when we remember what we deserve and ought to expect as a result of our own rebellious hearts and sinful disobedience. But your grace is always greater than whatever our worst could ever be. Your determination and dedication to seek and save are relentless, and we are so very grateful for that. Let your desire to forgive and to save us always prompt our desire to thank and to praise you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Courage to Seek Reconciliation (Part 2)

Spirit of Peace,
Regardless of the reason, whenever there is an issue between another believer and me, I pray that you provide me with courage to seek reconciliation. When my words or actions have been the cause for concern, and someone else desires to speak with me about it, let me be willing to, whether I feel it is necessary or not. In those situations, I may either be blind to the damage I may have done, or be unaware of how my behavior affected another person. Or, I could be aware, but feel justified on my end and stubbornly try avoid the other person. This is not loving to them, and will only cause more hurt. Make me always willing to listen, quick to accept responsibility, and eager to apologize, whether it is for my own sake or for the sake of the other person. Whenever this process happens, usher in your peace, and heal any hurts or hangups with your gift of reconciliation. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Courage to Seek Reconciliation (Part 1)

Spirit of Peace,
Regardless of the reason, whenever there is an issue between another believer and me, I pray that you provide me with courage to seek reconciliation. When I perceive another person’s words or actions to be the cause of discord, guard me from gossip, so that I don’t make things worse by fueling the discord even more. Instead, as soon as possible, enable me to address my concern with the individual with humble confidence. Let me be firm, but gentle, never seeking to get even or repay for some wrong, but to seek healing and restoration. When repentance is called for, let it be received well and allow it to bring about the confession and absolution that is necessary. Whenever this process happens, usher in your peace, and heal any hurts or hangups with your gift of reconciliation. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Embrace My Place in Your Kingdom

Mighty God,
By your grace, you called me to faith and it pleased you to give me the kingdom. What more could I possibly need when I consider all that is included in your kingdom? Let me find my treasure, my purpose, and my life in your kingdom and nowhere else, since nothing else could ever measure up or compare. Furthermore, I marvel that you didn’t give it to me hesitantly or reluctantly, but that you were pleased to do so. 

And, you have given me the keys to your kingdom – the power to absolve and forgive sins. What a great privilege and responsibility this is! Let me take it to heart, take it seriously, and not take it for granted. Keep me forever in your kingdom and use me to extend and expand it with your powerful Word, so that through it your Spirit can bring many more souls into the present and eternal joys of your kingdom. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.