Tag: honor

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Be More Respectful of Others

Humble Savior,
Teach us to respect others. As our society continues to encourage and celebrate individualism and the importance of being true to oneself, the collective good often suffers. A me-centric worldview doesn’t see the need or value of respecting others. So it shouldn’t surprise us to see children disrespect their parents. We don’t respect the opposite sex. We don’t respect those in uniform dedicated to protecting and serving. We don’t respect the government or those in authority. We don’t respect the elderly, but often treat them as an inconvenience or a burden. Respect and self-centeredness can’t coexist. 

So humble us. Forgive our selfish tendencies. Restore respect to our society, starting with me. Lead me to speak well of others and give honor where it is due. Give me Jesus’ heart and attitude, seeking to put others first, assuming the best of them, and humbly elevating the greater good above my own self-serving interests.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Our Nation’s Independence

God of Freedom,
Today we celebrate the freedoms our nation has had since being established 250 years ago. Since you alone determine the duration of nations and the rise and fall of civilizations, we thank you for establishing and sustaining the United States of America for two and a half centuries. Over that time, you have guided and directed the course of our history to result in tremendous blessings not only for our nation, but worldwide. The freedoms we enjoy are absolute treasures, and we plead for your intervention whenever those are threatened. Yet like all other nations, we are not without our faults, so we daily need your patient forgiveness and rich mercy. Heal division within our nation and unite us with like-minded goals in pursuit of the greatest good for all people. Protect us from all who seek to destroy or undermine our blessed country in any way, whether those enemies are internal or external. Let your church also thrive at this time, taking advantage of the freedoms we are permitted to sow the seed of the gospel. Through that gospel, bring many more to faith, while also creating responsible, respectful, honorable, obedient, and loving citizens who will continue to uphold and defend this great nation.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Your Blessing on July 4th Travel and Celebration

Dear Lord,
Many in our country will be traveling today and begin celebrating the 250th Anniversary of our nation’s independence. Direct your watchful angels to guard and protect all those traveling near and far, guiding them to safe arrivals. Grant your favor on all who have planned and are hosting gatherings and events, allowing everything to go as smoothly as possible. Prepare paramedics and first responders to also be ready for when things do not go according to plan. See that festivities are carried out and conducted responsibly, so that people do not put themselves or others in danger. Prohibit irresponsible or excessive partying that dishonors you or reflects poorly on our nation. Instead, bless the celebrations this weekend with joy, laughter, and a deeper awe and appreciation of the profound privilege of being a citizen of the United States of America.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Strong Followers

Humble Savior,
I know the importance of praying for leaders, but I often overlook the blessing of solid, strong followers. Thank you for those who have the humility to follow others in leadership. Use them to uplift and uphold leaders through their encouragement and validation. Give followers the ability to ask good questions of their leaders that challenge them without being abrasive or disrespectful. Make them willing to carry out the necessary work as directed by those in charge, even when that work is difficult or unpleasant. Prompt them to pray for their leaders, speak kindly of them and to them, and in every possible way, show their love and support so that the labor of leaders is a joy and delight. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Who Gave Their Lives

Sacrificial Savior,
On this Memorial Day, our nation pauses to remember and acknowledge those who died while serving in our United States Armed Forces. While no effort to honor their sacrifice ever feels adequate, we pray that the events and experiences planned on this day serve as touching tributes to acknowledge all our military personnel who gave up their lives. There is no greater expression of love that man can make than laying down one’s life for others. 

Many alive today who served alongside those who died still wrestle with survivor’s guilt. Many family members also struggle daily with the loss of their loved ones, even though that loss may have occurred years or even decades ago. Therefore, let us also remember your sacrifice, for you died for them. You gave up your life to remove their guilt and to console them in their sorrow. So today, Lord, as we remember those who died for us, we also remember the One who died for them – and for all people – so that all who fall asleep in you will most certainly live again. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Avoid Political Idolatry

Almighty God,
While not without its faults, we are blessed in so many ways to have the government and political system that we do, based on such an impressively written document as the Constitution. However, as our society has gradually set you aside, someone or something else inevitably fills the vacuum to be idolized and worshiped. For many in our nation, that void has been filled by politics. Citizens on both sides of the political aisle deify their own party and demonize the other. One side is savior, the other is satan. One side is the cause of all the problems, the other has all the solutions. Guard us as Christians from idolizing politics, elevating it to a position of prominence that only you deserve. Guide us to avoid extremist views and hold a balanced perspective. Help us to truly appreciate the government you’ve given us, without ever forgetting that it’s you who has given it to us. Let us honor, respect, and obey those to whom you’ve given the authority to govern, but let our hearts and our worship be always and only directed to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Only Use Your Name in a Worthy Manner

Beautiful Savior,
Yours is the only name by which anyone is saved. Therefore, help me use it properly. Since salvation comes through you, let me make your name known to all, but… not as just another curse word. Not merely as an exclamation. Not as a thoughtless validation that I am telling the truth. Rather, let me set aside your name properly, to praise you, to pray to, and to give thanks. Let my mouth make your name synonymous with forgiveness and grace. Let others associate your name with what is good and right through my use of it. Let your name be known as the way, the truth, and the life, so that in you, others may find what I have, and what the world can’t ever offer: the joy, peace, and security of eternal life.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Elderly in Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. You gather people of all ages and every generation to breathe life into them through your Word. While everyone deals with different hindrances that could keep them away from worship, the elderly face challenges unique to their stage in life. Good sleep isn’t always a given, medications can have troubling side effects, and physical decline can slow everything down and result in frustrating limitations. When we consider all of these hurdles, we ought to beam with joy every time older believers faithfully fill a seat in your house. Continue to give them the strength and resilience to overcome their challenges and use them to encourage and model faith in action for younger generations by how they prioritize worship. Reward their time in worship with the treasures of Word and Sacrament, and let congregations show great honor and respect to these gifts to your church. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Do the Work

Gracious Lord,
Each day is a gift from you, twenty-four hours freely entrusted to us to manage in a manner that shows honor, love, and respect to you and my neighbor. One of the great enemies behind the mismanagement of our time is procrastination. When I allow myself to put off certain responsibilities or delay plans until I feel like following through, it shouldn’t surprise me that such feelings almost never seem to show up. Feelings don’t fuel traction; taking action does. Grant me the self-discipline to avoid internal back-and-forth conversations debating my drive to get things done, and instead nudge me to start moving in the right direction. I have goals and plans and dreams, all of which you can richly bless as you see fit. Guide me to give you something to bless, not by putting things off, but by putting the work in. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the President

Sovereign Lord,
Surround the President of the United States with guidance, wisdom, and maturity through councils, committees, and confidants who genuinely have the best interests of the American people at heart. Grant him the humility to seek and accept direction from others and the confidence to make difficult decisions for the greater good. Move him to lead with integrity and honesty, not seeking to shift blame when wrong, but being quick to take responsibility for poor judgment or mistakes. Help him to learn from his errors so that he is always growing and developing his leadership skills. Bestow on him the ability to demonstrate a gentle and compassionate spirit when necessary, and the willingness to be firm whenever appropriate. Lead him to prioritize prudence over popularity and to exercise discernment to avoid division whenever possible. When the gravity of his responsibilities weighs on him, or his heart is troubled, give him peace of mind. You alone, Lord, know what is in his heart, and you alone can change and transform his heart to suit your perfect purposes. Do so as you see fit, to bless both his leadership and those he leads. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.