Tag: shame

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Your Law to Convict and Condemn

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. We rejoice wherever Christ is clearly proclaimed, for where the cross is, salvation is there with it. However, if we don’t know why we need Christ, then we may miss out on salvation. Therefore, let your law be preached, too, not as a slap on the wrist, but in all its terrifying severity, so that sin might be called out and exposed. Let your law hit its mark for those being deceived into thinking they can hide or harbor their sin. Where it convicts and condemns, use your law to bring about repentance so that sinners turn to you for rescue and redemption. Then, in your mercy, soothe their souls with the assurance that you declare them no longer guilty through faith in Jesus. Ease their troubled hearts with the peace of your forgiveness and the promise of restoration and new life in Christ.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Love and Care for My Body and Life

Loving Father,
While I acknowledge that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I must confess that I do not always reflect that in how I take care of – or rather neglect – my body. Indeed, if the attention and care I give to my physical health serve to indicate how much I value my body and life, I am embarrassed to admit the conclusion anyone would have to draw. I am sorry. Forgive me.

Thankfully, that is exactly what you do: forgive me. I do not live under shame or guilt, but under grace. You do not delight in finding fault, but in forgiving. The new life you daily call me to live in through my baptism is not merely spiritual, but flows into the blessing of physical as well. Since you redeemed not just my soul, but my body as well, steer me away from viewing it pessimistically or speaking of it pejoratively, and elevate how I view my own body. Whatever size and shape it is, help me to embrace and love it as you do – a gift to be cared for. Instill in me a healthy mindset that celebrates progress over perfection regarding exercise, working out, and anything that seeks to avoid being overly sedentary. Thank you for my body and life, and for the godly desire to treasure and care for them.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For a Penitent Spirit

Patient Father,
John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord by preaching a message of repentance. Through your Holy Spirit, work in me a penitent spirit – one that does not seek to diminish or hide my sin, but to confess it. When I come clean to you in confession, confident of your unconditional grace, your forgiveness washes over me and restores my soul. Practicing repentance regularly reminds me that I am not a slave to sin, but to righteousness, and this is not so because of anything on my end, but entirely because your atoning work completely covered all sin. Thank you for your gift of repentance. Keep me always willing and eager to take advantage of it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.