Tag: good

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Free Us From Worry

Gracious God,
We are so prone to worry. Making matters worse, we know full well that you repeatedly tell us in your Word not to worry. We know that you are in control. We know that you promise to work all things out for our good. We know that you promise never to leave or forsake us. Yet, we still worry.

So in addition to needing your forgiveness, we also ask you to work in us to wean us away from worry. Reframe our worst-case-scenario thinking to instead ponder the positives and potential blessings you can bring out of future unknowns. Deepen our trust in your many promises that so beautifully lay out for us all the reasons we have not to worry. Place people around us who speak godliness and goodness into our lives. Shape us into disciples who stand in awe and wonder before you, and rid us of our worry. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Bring Good Out of Disaster

Compassionate Father,
When natural disasters strike, in an instant, our lives are whittled down to what matters most. The worries that weighed so heavily on us for so long disappear in a flash and are replaced by what we care about more than anything: relationships. Our relationships – in marriage, with beloved family members, with treasured friends – are as valuable to us as they’ve ever been. And, especially when lives are lost at the hands of nature, our relationship with you is front and center. 

We pray for all of those directly and indirectly devastated by disaster. Console victims and care for the injured. Protect those still at risk or in danger of the aftereffects, and provide for all who are reeling from loss of any scale. Don’t allow suffering to be wasted, but work the good only you can through it. Use it to elevate our value of people over possessions, and open eyes of faith to see that when we have you, even when we’re stripped of everything else in this life, we still have all that we truly need.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Courage to Do the Right Thing

Mighty God,
I regularly find myself in situations with the opportunity to do the wrong thing. I am invited to join in the gossip. I am nudged to have one more drink than I should. I am pressured to misuse your gift of sex. The list goes on. I don’t pretend that all of these are someone else’s fault, either, as I am well aware that I am only tempted by them because of my own sinful inclinations. As much as possible, therefore, give me the wisdom to avoid putting myself in those situations in the first place. Nevertheless, when I do face them, give me the courage of faith to do the right thing. Help me control my thoughts and desires. Curb any sinful urges within me. Provide a way out, as you promise to, and open my eyes both to see and to seize that way out. Create in me the genuine desire to be more eager to be a good and godly influence than to allow myself to be negatively influenced and misrepresent you. When I fail, be there with your grace to turn my forgiven failures into the motivation to do right the next time.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Diminish Our Appetite for Violence

Patient Lord,
Our culture seems to be infatuated with an excess of horror, gore, and violence, always raising the shock levels of each and normalizing what in the past was considered extremely disturbing. In addition to these unhealthy cravings, we often see the line between good and evil blurred in movies and stories. What is sinister and even satanic is celebrated. The villain is the victor, while the hero is often vilified and shamed. 

Such interests aren’t innocent. They are not harmless. They shape how we think and act. Yet, in the midst of all of these influences, we still act surprised that people could ever actually commit the heinous and horrifying crimes that fill our real-life headlines. 

Forgive us, Lord. Cure our bloodthirsty lust and curb our cravings for cruelty. Redirect our entertainment interests to whatever is right, pure, noble, and good. Fill us with what encourages and uplifts. Inspire us to demonstrate acts of kindness and generosity toward our neighbor. Use us as believers to pave the way in positively influencing others as we counter the darkness and let our light shine. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Kindness

Kind Savior,
Let kindness be evident in the way I treat others. When that means taking an extra moment to slow down from busyness to acknowledge someone else and take time to listen, help me be aware of it. Guide me also to speak kindly to others in general, so that when they leave a conversation with me, they feel uplifted and positive. When kindness doesn’t require words, let my actions and gestures display it. Guard me against favoritism, so that my kindness isn’t limited only to those I choose. Bless others who could benefit from being built up in even small ways through my deliberate efforts at being kind. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Growth Through Hardship

Loving Father,
When adversity and strife show up, you promise to work good in my life through them. Help me to believe this, especially whenever doubts creep in and I begin to question it. Sometimes you use these challenges to draw me into a deeper trust in you, and other times to correct or admonish, but the goal is always to draw me closer to you. I am grateful that you can turn these seasons of hardship into growth opportunities. Strengthen me to embrace them as such, and provide me with the endurance necessary to ride them out. Though I may not always be able to welcome such strife with the joyful outlook you call me to have when in the thick of it, change my perspective by letting my eyes of faith consider the good on the other side of it that you could be working through it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Another Year of Your Goodness

Gracious Lord,
On this last day of the year, I thank you for your providence and protection all year long. Whatever worries or fears I faced this year, you guided me to overcome them. You delivered me through hardships and challenges every time in one way or another. You also blessed me with joyful memories and treasured experiences. I am surrounded by those who love and care about me – so much so that they are even willing to correct and rebuke me when necessary. You kept me in the faith by the power of your Word, and granted me countless opportunities to exercise that faith in meaningful ways. You showed me new facets of your grace and forgiveness that left me awestruck time and again. You showed me yet again just how truly good you are. Ultimately, after another year, I am so grateful that I am still yours. Keep me yours forever. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Eagerly Serve My Neighborhood and Community

Selfless Savior,
The entirety of your law is summed up in one word: love. We know full well that we are called to love you above all else. We easily forget, however, that our love for you is also expressed in how we love our neighbor. While anyone in need is included in the category of neighbor, let us not overlook our literal neighbors – those living next to and around us in our neighborhoods.

Help us to love our neighbor and our community as you have loved us. Let us never become weary of carrying out good works on their behalf. Whether those works come in the form of informal service to a neighbor in an unexpected or sudden moment of need, or through formal volunteer service in community organizations and efforts, use believing men everywhere to build up and bless their communities. In these ways, let not only your goodness, but also your gospel, spread and be known. Make me the kind of neighbor that everyone wishes would live next door. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Produce Pleasing Fruit

Christ the Vine,
When we remain connected to you, we bear fruit. Apart from you, we can do nothing that is pleasing in your sight. But through faith in you, you bring about abundant fruit in our lives. Bring forth that pleasing fruit, which shows itself in our general behavior, our kind words, and our thoughtful actions toward others. Enable us to know you better, too, since the more we listen to you and walk with you, the more aligned we are to your will and ways for our lives. Let your gospel always be the source of fruit in our lives, that we never slip into any foolish thinking about our works making any contribution to our salvation. Let our forgiveness and the freedom we have in you inspire us to yield ripe fruit that builds one another up and draws others to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Use Me to Overcome Evil with Good

Mighty God,
We are not only surrounded by evil everywhere, but as sinners we contribute to it ourselves as well. Nevertheless, when anything evil happens, you warn us not to be overcome by it. But you don’t stop there; you call us also to overcome evil with good. My sinful nature knows full well how daunting this is, for wherever evil is, there is a part of me that is drawn to it and longs to be a willing participant in it. 

Therefore, stir up in me the new man, set apart by the Holy Spirit to live a pure and blameless life. Let him win the day when evil arises, smothering wickedness with sanctified thoughts, words, and actions. Grand scale or small, may the good that comes from me bring a swift end to the fires of evil wherever they fan into flame. When gossip is spreading, let me stall and stop it. If lies catch on around me, let me snuff them out with the truth. May my righteousness overcome violence, my kindness kill cruelty, and my compassion counter indifference and animosity. You overcame the evil one by the cross; now use me as your instrument to continue carrying out your work and overcoming evil with your good. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.