Tag: hope

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Spouses to Be For Each Other

Gracious Lord,
One of the advantages of being married is having a permanent partner as a positive voice in life. Guide spouses to regularly uplift and encourage each other. Lead husbands and wives to empower and exhort each other when insecurities and self-doubt arise. When one partner faces adversity or feels like giving up on a project, goal, or dream, let the other use words and actions to lift up and affirm. In this way, fill marriages with resiliency and hope, as spouses are able to rely on each other to be in their corner, cheering them on and being for one another in every possible way.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Those in Support Groups

Gracious Savior,
Struggling with loss, addiction, or other adversities in life can be debilitating for many. Thankfully, there are many support groups that exist for people experiencing these kinds of challenges. Use these groups to be a blessing to all who attend them, if for no other reason than to let them know that others can relate to their struggles. Equip those who facilitate support groups with social awareness, compassion, and empathy, while also granting them the firm resolve to speak what needs to be said to those who need to hear it. Help participants discern when to share and when to simply listen. Use friends and family to keep encouraging those who are reluctant to attend, so they might eventually benefit from being a part of a community of people in a similar season of life. Whenever possible, use these groups – and the believers in them – to lead others to you, so they find unparalleled hope, meaning, and purpose to overcome their adversities.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Grieving Worshipers

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Yet, they can be especially hard for those still coping with the loss of a loved one. Church can sometimes serve as a source of grief or pain for those who are reminded of others who used to worship with them, but have now gone to heaven. “Their” spot in the pew or chair may be empty or occupied by someone else. The absence of their unique mannerisms or singing may cause sadness. The way(s) they served are now being carried out by others. While worship after the recent loss of loved ones can be a challenge, make it also a beautifully comforting reminder of why those who are grieving can be certain of where their loved one is. Let Easter hymns and Resurrection references from Scripture serve to ease the sense of loss and gradually replace it with the anticipation of rejoicing at the reunion in heaven. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Hope as We Bear Our Crosses

Lord Jesus,
We know that trials, pain, and suffering are not only unavoidable in a world covered by a constant cloud of sin, but also that we ought to expect them as your disciples. You assure believers that hardships will be littered along our path throughout life as a direct result of our faith in you. So, Lord, rather than ask you to remove what you’ve already told us to expect, we ask you to reinforce us with the hope to endure as we bear these crosses. You have promised that no amount of suffering we’ll ever face is even worth being in the same conversation as the magnificent glory that awaits our eternity with you. And, rather than mere wishful thinking, this present hope we have of a glorious future is steadfast and certain, because it is anchored in the past reality of your suffering, death, and resurrection, which already secured our eternity. Galvanize us with this hope in the face of any cross you call us to bear.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Those Battling Hidden Struggles

Compassionate Christ,
Today I pray for those who are suffering silently. On the outside, it may appear as if all is well and life is good. But inside, unbeknownst to others, they are suffering and struggling mightily, possibly even contemplating suicide. I plead for you to intervene in any way necessary to guard and protect them from any immediate threat of harm. Prompt them to pause, reflect, and discover solutions that offer hope. Or, open a window that allows another individual to truly see them, pick up on their hurt, and engage with them in meaningful conversation. Let that dialogue reveal a promising path forward. Be present with them in their isolation and loneliness, and roll back the darkness to reveal your wonderful life-giving light. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

To Lean Into Our Living Hope

Risen Lord,
By your resurrection, we have the guarantee of eternal life locked in. And along with that assurance, we have a living hope to carry us through life’s hassles, hardships, and uncertainties. Our hope is not some wishy-washy “hoped-for” hope, but the complete confidence that we will not be overcome, and you will see us through every ordeal we could ever face. Since neither of our greatest enemies, death nor the devil, was able to undermine or overpower you, what other force is left to fear? Nothing! By faith we trust this promise; empower us with the hope to live boldly in it. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

To Welcome Waiting

Prince of Peace,
We are blessed to live at a time when we can have just about anything we want, just about anytime we want it. We hardly have to wait for anything, and rest assured, anything we currently still have to wait for is being addressed right now behind the scenes somewhere by someone to eliminate our need to wait. There are many wonderful blessings that come from all of this!

But it has come at a price. Because we hardly have to wait anymore, many struggle with how to wait. We get impatient, irritable, and downright rude much faster when we have to wait. We struggle with managing downtime as we wait, relying on our phones to fill the gaps that used to allow for contemplation and reflection. We lack the ability to think critically about things while waiting. As believers, this all creates significant tension when so much of Scripture calls on us to wait! So Lord, help me learn to wait. Tone down my hasty impatience. Lead me to lean into the peaceful rhythms of your presence, calm my anxious soul, and still me with the Spirit’s serenity.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

To Anchor My Hope in You

God of Hope,
We have such high hopes for so much in our lives, from the little things to the big. We hope this small daily habit will yield a certain result at some point down the road. I hope this career change will be the move I need to get my life on the right track. I hope to find the person of my dreams who will make the rest of our life together amazing and wonderful.

While it isn’t wrong or foolish to have such hopes, placing the full weight of my life expectations on them is. There are so many factors beyond my control that can determine the final outcome of such hopes. Some may play out as I had hoped, but many will not.

But hope anchored in the Lord and in his assurance that he is able to work good out of any situation in my life will never disappoint. That kind of hope is a sure thing, because the Lord’s promises are a sure thing. Hope in the Lord renews my strength, provides patience, and frees me from the deception of being in control. Hope in the Lord leaves me at peace knowing that I don’t have to bear the unnecessary burden of pretending to be God, because he is. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

To Bless Expectations Accordingly

Loving Father,
Christmas Eve is filled with so many expectations. Little ones have hopes of their lists being carried out and completed, envisioning the joy of unwrapping their gifts. Older children and young adults have different tastes and preferences, but the same desire to have their wishes come true. Adults also have expectations, even if they may not be based on receiving gifts. Where these hopes and expectations can bring joy and delight, grant them, Lord, according to your will. Where their impact may be more negative than positive, fulfill them sparingly, if at all. 

As we celebrate the Savior, we are reminded of how so many waited for him expectantly for so long. Thank you for making good on your promise and meeting expectations. I ask that you also take my earthly expectations and make them captive to your divine desires. When my expectations go unmet, redirect my feelings of disappointment to the satisfaction of knowing you never disappoint our eternal expectations. Make me want what you want for me. Help me let go of expectations that don’t glorify you or serve others. Let me rest in you as I wait expectantly on your timing, and pour out abundant spiritual blessings on your church as it celebrates your First Coming while waiting for your Second. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Advent Hope

Savior Jesus,
Advent fills us with hope, peace, and joy. I thank you, Lord, for a hope that surpasses the mere wishful longing of this world. The hope we have in you is not a possibility, but a promise. It is so much more than an optimistic outlook; it is a confident certainty. No one whose hope rests in you has ever been disappointed, nor will anyone ever be, since hope that rests in you is hope backed by your own Word.

Only this hope satisfies and sustains us, because it is anchored in you. As I prepare to celebrate Christmas, help me to see that the hope you brought into the world at your birth is real, and it is for me and all people. The hope of eternal life is a guarantee secured by your life, death, and resurrection. Just as surely as you lived, died, and rose for me, so also will I rise one day to live forever with you. Hold THIS hope always before me! 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.