Tag: respect

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Guys to Find Community

Lord God,
Connecting with other guys doesn’t always come very naturally for men. Many struggle when they live isolated lives and have very limited interaction with other guys. When that is the case, not only do we often limit our potential, but we also leave ourselves susceptible to making poor choices that lead to questionable or regrettable behavior. Of course, keeping the wrong company can also bring about the same damaging effects. Therefore, please provide positive opportunities and experiences for guys to find community with like-minded, godly, spiritually mature men. Lead them to want to be led and to have the courage to lead others, and through that leadership, heighten the level of respect shared among brothers. When those relationships exist, rich blessings will follow as men encourage, admonish, challenge, and support each other in powerful ways. Through all of this, raise up more men to bring greater glory to you through their righteous living.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Disagree with Dignity

Lord Jesus,
You have given us the ability to think critically, to reason, and to apply logic. Our upbringing, our experiences, and our education all factor in when it comes to our unique views and opinions. Inevitably then, we will not share the same convictions with others about certain matters. Not only is this OK, but different ideas about how to address issues and solve problems often result in a better overall solution. 

Different opinions, though – especially those strongly held – can also raise tensions and cause conflict. When I find myself in such situations, equip me with the self-control to disagree with dignity. Keep me from doing or saying anything that would deliberately stir others up and escalate the situation. Guard my tongue from profanity or insult, so that my mouth does not dishonor you. Instead, give me an attitude that seeks to learn more about others’ differing views, so that I am challenged to either reinforce or rethink my own views. Regardless of the outcome, let my speech always be seasoned with salt, and give me the patience to treat those holding different views with honor and respect.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Who Coach

Dear God,
Since you have created each of us with such unique skills and interests, not everyone gravitates toward playing sports. But for those who do, or who have children who do, we thank you for individuals who give their time to the demands of coaching. Solid coaches can leave a significant impact on their players long after their competitive days are over. They teach discipline, hard work, and respect. They model patience with teammates who are struggling, players who are challenging to manage, and parents who are abrasive or out of line. Coaches who find joy in fostering positive teamwork teach a valuable life lesson for their players. Winning can provide a teachable moment for humility, and a loss opens the door for teams to learn to lose with grace. Thank you for the dedication and sacrifice of coaches to enrich the lives of many. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Be More Respectful of Others

Humble Savior,
Teach us to respect others. As our society continues to encourage and celebrate individualism and the importance of being true to oneself, the collective good often suffers. A me-centric worldview doesn’t see the need or value of respecting others. So it shouldn’t surprise us to see children disrespect their parents. We don’t respect the opposite sex. We don’t respect those in uniform dedicated to protecting and serving. We don’t respect the government or those in authority. We don’t respect the elderly, but often treat them as an inconvenience or a burden. Respect and self-centeredness can’t coexist. 

So humble us. Forgive our selfish tendencies. Restore respect to our society, starting with me. Lead me to speak well of others and give honor where it is due. Give me Jesus’ heart and attitude, seeking to put others first, assuming the best of them, and humbly elevating the greater good above my own self-serving interests.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Strong Followers

Humble Savior,
I know the importance of praying for leaders, but I often overlook the blessing of solid, strong followers. Thank you for those who have the humility to follow others in leadership. Use them to uplift and uphold leaders through their encouragement and validation. Give followers the ability to ask good questions of their leaders that challenge them without being abrasive or disrespectful. Make them willing to carry out the necessary work as directed by those in charge, even when that work is difficult or unpleasant. Prompt them to pray for their leaders, speak kindly of them and to them, and in every possible way, show their love and support so that the labor of leaders is a joy and delight. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Avoid Political Idolatry

Almighty God,
While not without its faults, we are blessed in so many ways to have the government and political system that we do, based on such an impressively written document as the Constitution. However, as our society has gradually set you aside, someone or something else inevitably fills the vacuum to be idolized and worshiped. For many in our nation, that void has been filled by politics. Citizens on both sides of the political aisle deify their own party and demonize the other. One side is savior, the other is satan. One side is the cause of all the problems, the other has all the solutions. Guard us as Christians from idolizing politics, elevating it to a position of prominence that only you deserve. Guide us to avoid extremist views and hold a balanced perspective. Help us to truly appreciate the government you’ve given us, without ever forgetting that it’s you who has given it to us. Let us honor, respect, and obey those to whom you’ve given the authority to govern, but let our hearts and our worship be always and only directed to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Only Use Your Name in a Worthy Manner

Beautiful Savior,
Yours is the only name by which anyone is saved. Therefore, help me use it properly. Since salvation comes through you, let me make your name known to all, but… not as just another curse word. Not merely as an exclamation. Not as a thoughtless validation that I am telling the truth. Rather, let me set aside your name properly, to praise you, to pray to, and to give thanks. Let my mouth make your name synonymous with forgiveness and grace. Let others associate your name with what is good and right through my use of it. Let your name be known as the way, the truth, and the life, so that in you, others may find what I have, and what the world can’t ever offer: the joy, peace, and security of eternal life.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Elderly in Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. You gather people of all ages and every generation to breathe life into them through your Word. While everyone deals with different hindrances that could keep them away from worship, the elderly face challenges unique to their stage in life. Good sleep isn’t always a given, medications can have troubling side effects, and physical decline can slow everything down and result in frustrating limitations. When we consider all of these hurdles, we ought to beam with joy every time older believers faithfully fill a seat in your house. Continue to give them the strength and resilience to overcome their challenges and use them to encourage and model faith in action for younger generations by how they prioritize worship. Reward their time in worship with the treasures of Word and Sacrament, and let congregations show great honor and respect to these gifts to your church. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Lovingly Serve, Uphold, and Respect Women

Selfless Savior,
You charge us with the responsibility of sacrificially serving others, including women. In the process, we are to honor them and treat them with respect. Too often, though, we treat them as inferior, diminish them, and make punchlines of them. And, as if such actions weren’t shameful enough, we also objectify them and behave as if their only reason for existence is to serve and satisfy us. When we mistreat or abuse women, or fail to speak up in their defense against those who do, we sin by taking advantage of them and abdicating our responsibility toward them.

Have mercy on us and forgive us for having such cold, calloused hearts! Wash and cleanse us, and transform our attitudes. Direct our hearts to desire the safekeeping and protection of women, and to support and celebrate them in their roles. Prompt our prayers on their behalf, and raise us up as godly men to lead them spiritually and to always look out for their well-being. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the President

Sovereign Lord,
Surround the President of the United States with guidance, wisdom, and maturity through councils, committees, and confidants who genuinely have the best interests of the American people at heart. Grant him the humility to seek and accept direction from others and the confidence to make difficult decisions for the greater good. Move him to lead with integrity and honesty, not seeking to shift blame when wrong, but being quick to take responsibility for poor judgment or mistakes. Help him to learn from his errors so that he is always growing and developing his leadership skills. Bestow on him the ability to demonstrate a gentle and compassionate spirit when necessary, and the willingness to be firm whenever appropriate. Lead him to prioritize prudence over popularity and to exercise discernment to avoid division whenever possible. When the gravity of his responsibilities weighs on him, or his heart is troubled, give him peace of mind. You alone, Lord, know what is in his heart, and you alone can change and transform his heart to suit your perfect purposes. Do so as you see fit, to bless both his leadership and those he leads. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.