DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Care for Caregivers

Caring Father,
Look with favor on those who serve as caregivers. Whether it’s adult children caring for their elderly parents, dedicated parents caring for children with physical limitations and/or special needs, or somewhere in between, their work is arduous. Be the source of their strength. While they focus on providing care for others, it can be easy for them to neglect their self-care. Give them ample time to allot to their own care, and surround them with a support system of others who recognize when they are running on empty and offer to step in and help. Make the service that caregivers provide not only a blessing to those they care for, but also to them, so that they are able to see and enjoy the fruit of their labor.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Generosity of Others

Generous Lord,
Thank you for the generosity others have shown me over the course of my life. You have often used their kindness and care to provide for my daily bread. Additionally, generous gifts from others have allowed me to enjoy experiences I would not otherwise have been able to enjoy. Let gratitude to you and to the giver always be my first response when I am on the receiving end of generosity, and guard my heart from expecting it or feeling as if I’m somehow entitled to it. It is one thing for others to acknowledge that you’ve blessed them with an abundance; it is another for them to be generous with it. May your generosity and the generosity of others work in me a generous heart, too. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Trust You Wholeheartedly

Providential Father,
Your promises, which are always trustworthy and true, assure me that you will provide for all of my physical and spiritual needs. But, even though I believe it, I still struggle to trust it. Doubt and worry come so naturally and so easily to me, prompting me to think I’m just better off taking matters into my own hands and controlling the outcome on my own. This usually results in my experiencing the all-too-familiar lesson of how foolish it is to pretend I could care for or provide for myself better than you. Therefore, I ask you not to improve my prowess in providing, but rather to increase my trust. Steer me away from self-reliance and toward a deeper confidence in you. Lead me to lean on you not hole-heartedly, but wholeheartedly.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those with No Home

Caring Father,
Not everyone has the blessing of a place to call home. While the reasons for this vary, regardless of what they are, continue to provide in one way or another for those without a home. Move friends and family members to be willing to open their homes when they would not be putting themselves in danger. When these options aren’t available, provide other avenues of generosity through church, community, or social services, so that shelter can be secured. While temporary housing is an immediate need, work behind the scenes to put into motion the plans that need to be carried out to provide permanent housing solutions. Thank you for those who dedicate themselves to this worthy cause of securing housing for those in need. May they be a blessing to many, and as they let their light shine, may those on the receiving end of their generosity eventually be drawn to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Awareness to Serve Others

Servant Lord,
Whatever plans I have in mind for today, I submit them to you. When I order my days, I often do so from the viewpoint of what I want to do or need to do. Instead, lead me first to approach each day with consideration for what you would have me do. For you not only know what is best for me on a daily basis, but also how best to use me to bless others through me. Keep my eyes and my heart open every day for opportunities to set aside my own agenda when the needs of others become apparent, and give me a willing spirit to meet those needs however I can. Let me glorify you as I serve as your hands and feet to others.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Appreciate and Care for All Living Things

Creator God,
When you spoke all of creation into existence, you gave mankind the responsibility of overseeing and caring for it. Carrying out this duty diligently is an expression of thanks for giving us such a variety-filled and fascinating world to discover and appreciate. Let us be informed consumers, aware of products and processes that are irresponsibly and unnecessarily harmful to the environment. Give us an appreciation for how you provide for all living things around us as we also care for things like gardens, houseplants, and pets. It is no small thing when you bring to life and sustain it. Neither should we take for granted when you heal or restore anything living that was damaged or unwell. Thank you for this world and for all that lives in it. Help us tend to it well.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Acknowledge Your Generosity (Part 3)

Generous Father,
You are a Giver – and a generous one at that! Your generosity is clearly seen through the abundant physical and spiritual blessings you shower on us. You are truly good and kind to us!

Your goodness and generosity are highlighted not only by who you are, but also by who we are. We know full well what our unrighteousness and disobedience deserve from you, yet you chose to direct the punishment we deserved on your own holy Son. You haven’t treated us as outcasts or orphans, but have adopted us as your heirs. We are so undeserving, yet you treat us like royalty. We are so unworthy, yet you call us your treasured possessions. Lead us to always deeply appreciate your generosity, not only because you give so much, but also because we are deserving of so little. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Acknowledge Your Generosity (Part 2)

Generous Father,
It isn’t just the size and scale of all of the physical blessings in my life that demonstrate your generosity, but also the wealth of spiritual blessings you pour out on me. Forgiveness is not measured by the ounce, but by the gallon, gushing over me through the words of absolution and in the generous servings of your Supper. The hope I have in you is never day-to-day, but eternal, since you never fail to keep your promises. The words of peace spoken by Jesus to his disciples after he rose still apply to your disciples today, as yours is a peace that cannot be exhausted. There are also the gifts of the Spirit, the fruits of the Spirit, and an endless abundance of other spiritual blessings! Finally, what makes your generous treasury of spiritual gifts so certain is that they all hinge on your limitless grace, lavished freely and fully on me and on all of your followers. Thank you!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Acknowledge Your Generosity (Part 1)

Generous Father,
There is no better example than yours when it comes to demonstrating generosity. I don’t know this only because it’s how you reveal yourself in the Bible; I know it also from personal experience. When I consider the size and scale of all that you provide me with physically, it is clear that you are no miser! Closets that are hardly large enough to hold all of our clothes, multiple fridges and/or freezers, packed pantries, and garages or extra rooms that store away bins upon bins of belongings all serve as testaments of your generosity.

When it comes to shopping for everything we need (to say nothing of what we want!), there are countless brick and mortar stores, matched by a myriad of online stores. We know the frustration of indecision when it comes to having so many options for eating out (or having it delivered right to our door and eating in!). You are unbelievably generous, Lord, and I ask that you never allow me to take your generosity for granted. And, I also ask that you equip me with the wisdom to rightly use and manage all that you abundantly provide.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Care for Called Workers

Good Lord,
When you send called workers into your mission field, you send them with the promise of your providence. Lead them to trust that promise and open their eyes to the many ways you keep it. There is no greater need they have than for their faith to be nurtured and strengthened. Do not allow them to neglect their own spiritual care while focusing their attention on the care of souls you’ve entrusted to them. 

Meet all of their physical needs as well, so they can focus on ministry without the burden of being able to make ends meet. Where congregations struggle to provide the necessary care to adequately support their called workers, lead them to faithfully and diligently pursue all options to address whatever is lacking. If that means helping them grow in the grace of giving, help them grow. If that means being open to the possibility of merging ministry with another congregation or school, make them willing to give all options their consideration. In every way possible, move your people to embrace the privilege and joy of caring for their called workers with the same spirit as if they were caring for you, Lord. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.