Tag: practice

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For a Faith That Acts

Spirit of Life,
Thank you for the gift of faith, by which we have the sure confidence of our salvation, completed in full for us by Jesus. Faith that is healthy and growing is faith that acts. When faith listens, its natural response is to act. However, since the Old Adam in me is bent on self-service, it opposes any activity of faith that is directed toward others. Therefore, take me back to my baptism, where that part of me needs to be drowned again and again, and raise me up in newness of life, eager to put my faith into practice. Whenever I hear your Word, allow my heart and mind to collaborate with my ears so that I am contemplating how I might put your Word into practice. Compel me to be not just a hearer of your Word, but also a doer of it. Moved by the power of your grace and grounded in the certainty of your gift of eternal life, grant me a hard-working faith.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Preparing to Worship

Lord God,
What happens – or doesn’t happen – the day before can determine how Sunday morning worship goes. This is often true of everyone involved in worship, from those planning, to those participating, and even the ones preaching. When details are left until the last-minute, the goal shifts from preparing for excellence to just scrambling to get it done. When practice or rehearsal is neglected, it is often reflected in worship. When Saturdays are jammed with activities and there is no thought or attention given to the Sunday morning ritual of getting ready for church, that seems to be when there are no clean clothes, there is nothing for breakfast, or the car needs gas. Then, when worshipers show up for church, they bring unnecessary stress and irritation with them, which can negatively impact their attitude and demeanor in worship.

Guide all worshipers to be mindful of all these considerations so that as much as possible, humanly speaking, we remove all barriers and hindrances to the powerful Word as we come into your presence. And, even when we fall short in our preparation, Lord, let our time in your house nonetheless always edify our spirits and enrich our faith.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.