DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Bring Good Even Out of Disaster

God of All Goodness,
Even though natural disasters are able to bring about devastation and destruction, they also provide a setting for you to demonstrate how you keep your promise to work good in all situations. When people are threatened or in danger, we see the best in mankind as others are willing to sacrifice and put their own lives at risk to rescue or help them. Prayers are multiplied in the midst of tragedy and turmoil, which is not only a blessing for those in harm’s way, but also for those directing their focus and attention to you.

When we learn from mistakes in how certain things were handled, we are better-equipped the next time disaster strikes. Catastrophes also provide channels for charity to be exercised to meet the needs of those experiencing loss. And of course, those unaffected or untouched by the disaster are more appreciative, grateful that they were spared. Continue to bring good from all situations, and grant many the gift of faith to see it and to be edified by it – even when disaster strikes.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Taste and See Your Goodness

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. In your Word you invite us to taste and see that you are good. Sundays are an ideal opportunity to take you up on your invitation. In every way possible this morning, as I walk into your house for worship, let me experience your goodness. As I take note of the worship space and consider how so much of it directs my attention to you, let me see your goodness. When I sing hymns that recount all that you have done on my behalf, all that you do daily for me, and all that you promise to do for me in the future, let me see your goodness. When your Word is read and proclaimed, send your Spirit to enlighten my understanding of you and reinforce my faith as you let me see your goodness. When I leave your house, having been filled up and encouraged, let me leave with a renewed zeal to pursue righteous living and to draw others to you so they, too, may see your goodness. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

Holy Spirit,
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Let this fruit be evident in my life in abundance, I pray. Today I ask you to work goodness in and through me. 

While the whole world has been negatively affected by the Fall and sin is certainly prevalent everywhere, there appears to be a glaring absence of goodness all around. Sadly, words that used to be spoken somewhat lightheartedly, “a good man is hard to find,” are true now as much as they ever were. 

But rather than merely lamenting the lack of goodness, I want to be part of the solution. Wash away and cleanse in me all that is opposed to what is good, and replace it with a positive, gospel-saturated spirit. Bend my heart toward thoughts, speech, and behavior that is not just good for my sake, but which serves the greater good of everyone around me. Just as surely as the Good Shepherd’s goodness follows me all the days of my life, so allow that goodness to leave its mark wherever I am. Then cause it to multiply and flourish far and wide.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To See Your Good in All Things

God Almighty,
You promise me that you work all things for the good of those who love you. What an amazing promise this is! Where I so often struggle even to bring good out of the relatively few things I can control in my life, you assure me that you bring good from everything.

Although I know this promise, my spiritual short-sightedness stifles my trust in it – especially when I am faced with bad news or difficult challenges. Those are the times I sense Satan’s deceitful whispers, leading me to question the reliability of your love and providence for me. When my reason and logic are not satisfied with how I perceive you to be working in my life, cause my faith to intervene and grant me the awareness to see your hand at work. And, even when it still may not be clear to me in such times, broaden my faith to believe it – that you are good, and are always working for good in my life. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.