DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Generosity

Giving Father,
All that we have is from your hand, and what you provide, you provide abundantly. We can easily overlook or forget about your generosity, not because it isn’t evident, but because we are too accustomed to focusing on what we don’t have. Redirect not only our eyes, but our hearts, too, to see how you excel at giving good gifts. Then, as we see how lavishly you provide, replace our greed with gratitude and prompt us to give as you do – freely, eagerly, and generously. You provide us with so much, not solely for our personal joy and benefit, but so that your goodness can flow through us to others. While no example of generosity will ever surpass the gift of your Son, the most precious gift ever to be received, make us imitators of your generosity so that we benefit not only from receiving gifts, but also in giving them. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Correct with Your Word

Lord God,
When you call us to proclaim your Word, it is primarily so that others may hear the good news of the gospel, since there is no other way mankind can know what you have done to save him. But your Word doesn’t only provide the gospel; it also offers correction. Help us remember to use it for that purpose and give us the confidence to do so. Guard us from both the extreme of Pharisaical piety that is too eager to correct others, and also from a timidity that avoids it altogether. Since sanctification is your work, and your work is carried out through your Word, lead us to rely on it and on you to direct us along paths of righteousness. We cannot know the right way unless we know your way, and we have no desire or ability to walk in your steps unless you work in us that desire and ability. Lead others to accept correction with humble hearts, and us to offer it with humble hearts as well. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Draw Us Into Your Word

Word Made Flesh,
Your Word is life. There is no other way about it – faith does not exist and cannot survive apart from your Word. Nevertheless, in a culture constantly craving shortcuts, hacks, and pro tips, even as believers, we search for one workaround after another that can give us the benefit of the Word without actually being in the Word. Spare us this foolishness and turn our hearts and desires toward time in your Word. Not only does your Word supply your grace and forgiveness, which we need to feed and fortify our faith; it also provides healing when we’re hurting, strength for our struggles, and answers to all that we ask. Draw us into the Bible. Lead us to love and treasure it. Help us fiercely guard our time in it. Through it, enrich and bless us in ways we could not imagine, and pull us always closer to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Churches Facing Closure

Lord of the Church,
Thank you for establishing so many churches all over the world where your Word is proclaimed and the Sacraments are administered. While you promise that your Word will always endure, you make no such promise about individual churches. Like everything else in life, churches have a life cycle – they are planted and grow, they bear fruit for a time, and eventually they close their doors. Be with those churches near the end of their life cycle, as they struggle with difficult ministry decisions and limited resources. Comfort those carrying memories of a full church and active membership with the assurance that their ministry was never in vain, and that you used it to serve souls. Give pause to those inclined to make hasty decisions, so that they are sensitive to their fellow saints with treasured recollections of their church. Make them open to considering how they might still continue to bless other churches or ministries with their means or manpower, so that your kingdom still comes through their support of gospel efforts. Remember your people gathered in these sacred spaces, Lord, and the many years of faithful service they rendered to bring honor and glory to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Pentecost

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. On this particular Sunday, many Christian churches are celebrating the Day of Pentecost. On that day, as prophesied in the Old Testament, you showered your saints with the Spirit, poured out in a stunning, miraculous display experienced by all who were present. But the greatest miracle was not the sound of rushing wind. It wasn’t the appearance of what looked like tongue-shaped flames of fire on everyone’s heads. The greatest miracle was not even that people of all different languages understood what was being said. No, the greatest miracle was – and always is – that your Spirit turns stone-cold unbelieving hearts into believing hearts of faith, burning with the confidence of the gospel and the desire to make it known. Pour out your Spirit on your Church today and always, so that as we carry out her work with your Word, you continue to work your mighty miracle of faith in many.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those Preparing for Ministry

Lord of the Church,
Thank you for all who are willing to pursue the path of public ministry. Those decisions aren’t made in a vacuum, but often come in connection with much support and encouragement from others. To serve others with your Word full-time is a noble calling. It is also one that you don’t take lightly, for you hold those in ministry to a higher standard as they handle your Word of truth and apply it as your representatives. Make future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers mindful of these realities as they give themselves fully to their studies. Grant them also the confidence that you always provide what is needed to those you call so that they can carry out their work faithfully. Bless their preparation and training, providing them with meaningful experience along the way that will reinforce their desire and commitment to serve you and your people in ministry. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Expose Error and Restore Truth

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. We rejoice that there are so many places of worship for believers to gather and be fed by your Word. However, we also know that not all of them stand faithfully on the Bible. Whether a church deviates from Scripture a lot or a little, no amount of false teaching is insignificant and always causes damage to souls. Bring rebuke and correction wherever they are needed, so that your people are not led astray, and the message of the gospel is not compromised. Equip your people with the discernment to identify false teaching and empower them to speak up when they become aware of it. Expose error and restore the truth so that your church continues to stand on the solid foundation of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, revealed in Scripture alone. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Be Your Witness

Savior of All,
It isn’t complicated. I know my salvation. Countless others do not. Make me a witness. Present me with opportunities to point others to Jesus that are so undeniable and unavoidable that I absolutely cannot help but speak up, no matter how timid I might otherwise be. Then, open my mouth! Send your Spirit to cover me with courage, confidence, compassion, and clarity, so that I both honor you in how I make you known and pave the path by which your Spirit may allow the seeds of faith to germinate. Afterward, cause my heart to soar, not merely based on the outcome or results, which you alone are responsible for, but simply at the privilege of getting to make you known! Let such experiences continually kindle in me an increasing desire to be eager to evangelize. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Gospel-Centered Marriages

God of Marriage,
Your gift of marriage is not only a sacred institution, but also a high and holy calling. It is also one of the most unique and special blessings mankind can experience. Thank you for this special bond that is also intended to guide husbands and wives into a deeper appreciation for the gospel and the sacrificial love of Christ for his church. When your grace and forgiveness are the foundation of marriage, couples have what they need to flourish and thrive in marriage. Through a regular diet of law and gospel, strip spouses of selfishness and replace it with the genuine joy of putting each other first. Bring about this godly desire in marriage partners by clearly making known to them your sacrificial and unconditional love for them. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Christ to Be Exalted Through Places of Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. When believers gather in church for worship, they experience so much that points to Jesus. The means of grace – the gospel in Word and the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism – will always remain front and center. But do not let the richness of liturgical worship or the design and details of the worship space be lost on worshippers, either. Bible stories stained in glass help us fix our thoughts on Jesus. The placement of the baptismal font reassures us that we belong to your family through baptism. The cross and the altar lead us to recall your precious sacrifice for our sins. Christian symbols on display help cement Christian doctrine and teaching. May churches always give thought to the rich variety of ways Christ is proclaimed, and may worshippers always be edified and drawn closer to their Savior through them.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.