Tag: presence

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Humbly Receive Your Mercy and Grace

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. When we gather in your presence for worship, we don’t do so to display our own righteousness, but to be reminded that by faith we have received yours. We don’t come before you to prove our worth, but to rejoice that you are our worthiness.

We approach you as beggars, humbly extending our hands to receive your mercy and grace. And you do not disappoint! You fill us up with good things – spiritual things, eternal things, priceless things – all of which sustain us daily and enrich and equip us as your ambassadors to the world. Rejuvenate and revitalize your people through Word and worship today. Draw them close to you and make them zealous to do your will. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Keep Christ as Christmas Fades

Light of the World,
This week of Epiphany, we reflect on the wise men who journeyed to worship the Savior. It’s impossible to imagine the elation they must have experienced as the sight of their Savior with physical eyes merged together with their vision of him through eyes of faith. Surely they were overwhelmed with wonder! But eventually their visit had to end, and they needed to return home. How bittersweet to experience the longing for home tangled up with the urge never to leave the Savior’s side.

We know the bittersweet tug between not wanting the joy of Christmas to end while also craving the comfort of our structured schedules and normal routines. Be with those who are really struggling as the bright lights of Christmas fade. Caution those who are too eager to leave them behind in favor of workaholism or less meaningful pursuits. Allow the season of epiphany to continue shining the Savior’s light in its own unique way, and through it, reassure us that the Savior will never leave our side. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Rejoice in the Good News of God With Us

Immanuel,
May we never cease to marvel at the wonder of your birth! Let it never become so familiar as to become mundane or mere tradition. There is simply no understandable human explanation to account for why the divine should dwell among fallen mankind in this broken creation. Nonetheless, Christmas means just that: God came to live among man. And, he didn’t come just to live, but to die, so that ultimately we could live with him forever. Until then, your coming to us at Christmas assures us of your permanent presence. Be with us always, ever-present Immanuel. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Feeling Alone During the Holidays

Precious Savior,
While the holidays are a time of joy for many, remember those for whom this time of year may serve as a painful reminder of their loneliness or isolation. Through accident or tragedy, some family members will be looking at empty seats around the table as reminders of their loss. Many who are confined to nursing homes in the final season of their lives may feel more neglected or forgotten than normal as they witness other residents receiving visitors. Those on the inside of a jail or prison bear not only the burden of their wrongdoing, but also the hurt of not being able to be present with those who care about them. 

Be there for all facing these or similar situations, and remind them that the very reason you came to earth was to be with us, and so that we can always have the promise of your presence. Let your love and care be experienced by many through the thoughtful expressions of those who take time to visit, write notes, create crafts, and all other gestures that let others know they are not forgotten and they are cared for. Allow these efforts in some way to direct those feeling lonely and overlooked to see the light of your gracious face shining on them.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For God’s Presence

Ever-Present God,
Your promise to never leave or forsake me holds me up and helps me weather the ups and downs in life. To know that you are always present provides me with peace during times of turmoil and confidence in times of uncertainty. When I feel isolated or lonely, it is not because you have deserted me or turned your back on me, but often because I have drifted away from you. When my feelings betray me and the evil one seizes on them to try to convince me that you’ve given up on me, redirect my thoughts to what is right and true: your Word. Let your Word always remain in my heart, dwelling in me richly. Through it, keep me always close to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Your Presence

Ever-present Lord,
Before you ascended, you assured your disciples that you would be with them always. You also promise that you will never leave nor forsake me. I believe you, because your words and promises never fail. 

Nevertheless, there are certainly times when my feelings don’t match my faith. I question why it feels like my prayers are falling on deaf ears. I struggle and cannot escape feelings of loneliness. At times I even depart worship and wonder if you were really there. 

During those doubts, allow my faith to swell up and overshadow my unreliable feelings. Redirect me away from shallow feelings to the substance of my faith: your Word. My own feelings deceive me, but your Word never will. Although at times I drift away from you, you will never depart from me nor turn your face from me. Give me the sturdy faith to believe it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.