Tag: grace

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 Worship to Be About Jesus

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. As believers gather in Christian churches all over the world on this day for worship, edify them through the preaching of your Word. Remind both preachers and those listening that we are called the Christian Church because Christ is central to all that we are and do. Let that be clearly reflected and understood in preaching and worship. While we enjoy freedom and flexibility in so many ways because of the gospel, guard all believers at all times against being willing to compromise anything that may call Christ into question. On Jesus and his saving work, your Church is a tower of strength. Without him, it crumbles to pieces. Let it stand forever, as you have promised, and keep us faithful to our promise to remain true to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Gather Others to Your Church

God of Grace,
Your Church is for everyone. However, there are still so many souls outside of Christianity who are blinded by the evil one and are in danger of being eternally lost. Some are blind because they are simply unaware of all that you have done to save. Others are blind because they have been deceived by false religions and counterfeit gods. Still others stand as bitter enemies of the Christian faith. Yet these all have this in common: you alone bring them unparalleled peace that is not accessible and cannot be appreciated apart from Jesus Christ. Flex your mighty right arm of salvation, unleash your Holy Spirit, and dislodge and dismantle every obstruction that is currently cutting off so many from the lifeline of faith in Jesus. Let the gospel overpower all opposition and succeed in rescuing many more souls into the safety and sanctuary of your Church. 

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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To Grow My Faith

Holy Spirit,
How can we possibly determine the value of the priceless gift of faith which you have given us? By faith, our eyes have been opened to see our Savior, who has secured our salvation and who provides us with peace and purpose in life. Therefore, I ask you to increase my faith so that it continues to cling ever so tightly to you and does not waver or doubt. Since I know you carry out this vital work through your Word, draw me into it more consistently and direct me to think on it deeply. Lead me also to crave Communion, by which you refresh and restore my soul, and to rejoice in my baptism, by which you claimed me as your own. Use your Word in all these wonderful ways to grow in me a faith that delights in fixing my eyes increasingly on my Jesus. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Artistic Gifts in Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. When we worship in your house, we see so much that draws the eyes of our hearts to you. Thank you for the gifts of creative vision combined with faith that you have granted to so many to edify us in worship. As the sun’s rays are filtered through palettes of stained glass, the colorful patterns evoke beauty and awe as our gaze is turned upward to ponder how you shine so brightly in our lives. Banners teach us while touching our hearts with rich symbols and imagery. Graphics put your Word into powerful pictures. The design and thoughtfulness put into the very sanctuary in which we worship capture theological truths, drawing us further into your presence. Thank you for the many artistic gifts used to magnify you and stir the souls of your people in worship. Continue to move many to use their skills and abilities for such a noble and holy purpose.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Growth in Giving

Generous Lord,
You are a Giver. You not only promise to provide all that we need, but are delighted to give it. We, on the other hand, are more naturally takers and receivers. The fall into sin revealed this very attitude, when Adam & Eve were more concerned with taking what they shouldn’t have. Ever since then, we have looked out for ourselves first, and give only after we’re sure we have enough (if we give at all!).

In repentance, rid us of this selfishness and greed. Just as you did not come to be served, but to serve, bend our hearts and will in the same direction – outward before inward. Free us from any enslavement to money or possessions, as well as the fear of not having enough, and cause us to imitate you as generous givers. Grow us into joyful first-fruit givers, worshiping you with our first and best instead of what’s left.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Fathers to Be Present in Their Children’s Lives

Faithful Father,
Thank you for the blessing of fatherhood. And thank you for the blessing of forgiveness for failures in fatherhood. Without your grace and patience, fathers could never measure up. Daily, you are present with your pardon in the lives of fathers. Help fathers also be present in the lives of their children. Let their shared interests stem not only from what dads enjoy, but also from the fascinations of their children. Lead dads to regularly give their children the first fruits of their schedule rather than the leftovers. Strengthen the unique bond between fathers and children through shared experiences and joint projects, and connect them through thoughtful conversations. When earthly fathers are present for their children, they provide a powerful and illustrative reminder that you, our Heavenly Father, are always present for your children, too.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

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 Consider the Comfort of Worshipers

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. When we gather together to worship in your house, we do so to be fed the spiritual food of your Word. While it is our individual responsibility to keep our hearts and minds focused, we also recognize the importance of doing what we can to make the worship space comfortable. Give congregations an awareness of factors that may be obstacles to worship for some in attendance. The worship space doesn’t only communicate important theological truths, but also ought to be welcoming and accommodating. Spacing, seating, temperature control, noise – these and so many other considerations can result in worshipers having a negative experience and missing out on the proclamation of your Word. Let us do all we can to ensure that Jesus and his Word are in no way overshadowed or diminished in worship by giving careful thought to all elements of worship.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.