DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Set the Tone for Sunday Worship

Good Lord,
One of the best ways to prepare for worship on Sunday is to set the tone on Saturday. Saturday is a day that is often set aside for projects and recreation, each of which are blessings in their own right. I am grateful for those opportunities, but also ask that you help me approach them with balance in mind. Guide me to avoid overexerting or exhausting myself so much that I am still worn out on Sunday morning, providing an extra and unnecessary obstacle in the way of worship. 

Let me set aside even a small portion of time each Saturday both to reflect on last week’s worship and message, and to prepare for worship tomorrow. Where resources are available for me to look ahead at the Scriptures, hymns, or songs, help me establish the practice of readying myself with them, if even just briefly looking over them. As I go to bed tonight, let my prayers include the request to wake up refreshed and with a spirit that is eager to gather together with others in your house for worship. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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.