DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Be Troubled by Unrighteousness

Lord Jesus,
As you saw your temple turned into a marketplace where conducting business was being prioritized over worship, you channeled your righteous anger to admonish and rebuke wrongdoers. While only your righteous anger alone is truly justified on account of your own holiness, I confess that I am too infrequently troubled by unrighteousness – both that of those around me as well as my own. I become too comfortable with a lower standard of Christian living and become accustomed to the world’s ways. Make known to me the things in me and around me that trouble you, and cause them to leave me troubled as well. Without allowing me to become a pharisaical pietist, help me to raise the bar of my own sanctification and to patiently encourage others to do the same.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Wisdom to Apply Your Word

Holy Spirit,
You are the source of enlightenment and wisdom. You attach blessings to both worldly wisdom and wisdom from your Word. While both are valuable, today I ask you to grant me wisdom in applying your Word. It is one thing to be familiar with your Word and to know your Word, but I ask that you increase in me the wisdom to apply your Word. When I see room to grow in my own life spiritually, it is seldom because I lack the knowledge of what to do or say in any given situation, but rather the wisdom to apply it.

The Bible promises blessing not just to those who hear the word, but who also put it into practice. And, while it is often the large scale feats of faith that are on my radar, make me wise to see and act on the many small scale acts of faith all around me on a daily basis. These are every bit as important in your eyes and also serve your people in meaningful ways. Grant me, Spirit, a rich measure of your wisdom so that I may continue to grow and develop in my life of sanctification. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Be Deliberate About My Sanctification

God my Redeemer,
You have rescued and redeemed me, not only from sin, but also for holy living. So often the days simply go by and I realize the only time I give thought to how I am living is when I’ve sinned or wronged someone else. While I confess those sins to you, let me add to them my lack of deliberate sanctified living. When I am not intentionally thoughtful about bearing fruit in my daily life, so often the old man in me takes control and defaults to selfish living. Sins of omission easily result. 

Stir up the new man in me to regularly give thought to my days, that I might consider the good I can carry out in serving others. Help me see every interaction with others as a possible good deed – one that honors you while also blessing my neighbor. Remind me of your encouragement to live such a good life, so that through my sanctified living, even those who are opposed to the cross in their unbelief may end up being drawn to you and praising you in faith. The world can be so very dark. Make me shine as brightly as I can by considering the daily opportunities you provide for me to do so.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.