Tag: pure

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Guard and Guide My Heart

Gracious Lord,
Were it not for your Word, which reveals that our heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure (Jer. 17:9), I would be much more inclined to follow its lead. I am sure of this, because even though I already know this danger, I still foolishly let my heart guide me from time to time, only to learn another hard lesson about how misleading it is. 

Let David’s plea in the psalm be my plea: “create in me a pure heart, O God” (Ps. 51). Let your description of David also be a description of me, that I would be “a man after [your] own heart” (Acts 13:22). A heart that has been washed and cleansed by your blood, Jesus, is one that knows to lean on you and your Word for all understanding, direction, and guidance. It is a heart that clings to your salvation above all else, and fiercely and faithfully seeks to stand guard against every outside attempt of the evil one to attack and take it over (Proverbs 4:23). By your grace, God, grant me such a heart and so keep me yours forever.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Prioritize What Is Praiseworthy

Sanctifying Spirit,
Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy – lead me to think about such things (Philippians 4:8). There is so much all around me that isn’t necessarily wrong or sinful, but neither does it fit the description of positive things on which to direct my attention. In a culture that is completely comfortable with and permissive of sex, violence, horror, and gore, I want to swim against the current. Help me to guard my heart against foolish FOMO when it involves glorifying anything that fails to bring you glory.

While I know that many voices – even those of my brothers in the faith – may downplay or diminish my choices for a variety of reasons, grant me a resolute spirit of determination to stay strong and stay the course. Grant me the self-control to not only care for my own soul in this way, but to inspire and positively influence others to do the same, so that through our collective efforts you continue to raise up strong Christian men and build up the body of Christ. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Guard Against False Teaching

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. As believers all over the world gather on this day to hear your Word proclaimed, protect their ears from false teaching. Keep those preaching faithful to the promises they made to speak the truth as your representatives. Keep their preaching pure, free from the seeds of lies and deception sown by the evil one, whether blatant or subtle. Equip leaders and elders in your churches to distinguish between truth and error, so that they may correct or rebuke heresy, and raise up mature Christian members to share in that responsibility. Guard those preaching from the temptation of proclaiming what itching ears want to hear. Guide them in rightly handling the application of law and gospel. Through such faithful preaching sanctify your church and keep her in the one true faith.   

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Use Me to Overcome Evil with Good

Mighty God,
We are not only surrounded by evil everywhere, but as sinners we contribute to it ourselves as well. Nevertheless, when anything evil happens, you warn us not to be overcome by it. But you don’t stop there; you call us also to overcome evil with good. My sinful nature knows full well how daunting this is, for wherever evil is, there is a part of me that is drawn to it and longs to be a willing participant in it. 

Therefore, stir up in me the new man, set apart by the Holy Spirit to live a pure and blameless life. Let him win the day when evil arises, smothering wickedness with sanctified thoughts, words, and actions. Grand scale or small, may the good that comes from me bring a swift end to the fires of evil wherever they fan into flame. When gossip is spreading, let me stall and stop it. If lies catch on around me, let me snuff them out with the truth. May my righteousness overcome violence, my kindness kill cruelty, and my compassion counter indifference and animosity. You overcame the evil one by the cross; now use me as your instrument to continue carrying out your work and overcoming evil with your good. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.