DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those Battling Bitterness

Prince of Peace,
I approach your throne of grace today on behalf of all who are consumed by bitterness and anger. When isolation becomes more frequent, spoken responses are short and sharp, and social media posts are filled with negativity and animosity, those are often outward expressions of internal turmoil. Lead friends and family members to recognize such signs as an opportunity to check in and offer whatever help they can. A listening ear can go a long way, Lord. Use whatever means necessary to root out resentment in those who are struggling, and replace it with real peace of mind. We know that such peace comes from knowing the One who has overcome the trouble we face in this world. Make him known to those battling bitterness, so they can know what it’s like to be free from it. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Seek First Your Kingdom and Your Righteousness

Lord God,
You promise me that when I seek your kingdom and your righteousness first, I don’t need to worry about the necessities, for you will provide for all of them. Nevertheless, even when my priorities are out of order, and I allow your kingdom and righteousness to drop down on my priority list, you still provide for me no matter what. How good you are to me! Let your goodness inspire my devotion and my dedication to you and to the labor that impacts and builds up your kingdom. Let spiritual concerns be on the receiving end of my best efforts. Empower me with your Spirit through your Word, so that I am equipped to effectively carry out my callings in and for your kingdom.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Lead Others Spiritually

Faithful Father,
You have made us your disciples by your grace, through your Word. Discipleship includes continuing to personally grow in that grace through your Word. And, as men, our discipleship also includes leading our wives and families in their growth, too. I have so much room to grow! Guide and direct me first and foremost to grow in my own personal faith, so that as I do, I am better equipped to lead others. Since discipling includes discipline, grant me the motivation and discipline to prioritize my spiritual leadership. Dispel my fears with faith, and fill me with the Spirit’s zeal and confidence to embrace my call to lead. Where I see my own shortcomings, help me see your strength. Where I see my inadequacy, help me see your infallibility. Build others up through me so that we all may boast more in you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those Who Care for Christ’s People

Lord of the Church,
Thank you for those who shepherd your people and provide spiritual care for the sheep of your flock. Bless their work as they carry out the great responsibility of guiding and nurturing the faith and lives of the body of Christ. Keep them faithful to your Word and grant them the discernment to correctly apply law and gospel. Refresh them in soul, spirit, and body when they feel the burden of their calling. Reward their work with joy in seeing the fruit of their labor as your Holy Spirit strengthens faith and equips believers for works of service. Continue to train and provide future workers for this important work, so that your grace flows in abundance from one generation to the next until your glorious return. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Bring Blessings Through the Fruit of My Repentance

Holy Spirit,
When you work in me a penitent spirit, work in me also the genuine desire to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. While repentance itself is a challenge for my stubborn heart, what follows can also be easily overlooked. When contrition and confession lead me to the cross, where I am flooded with your full forgiveness, allow that renewed spirit within me to be eager to bear fruit that seeks to make right whatever wrong I have committed. Let my cleansed soul find genuine joy in humbly serving anyone I have wronged. In that way, through the process of repentance, reshape the original evil that was done into something beautiful and good in the end. Take what was bad and turn it to what is beneficial, bestowing your blessing on many along the way. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those Carrying Out the Church’s Work

Holy Spirit,
So many are needed to carry out the ministry of the church. You provide not only pastors and teachers to carry out that work, but also very capable and gifted individuals to oversee and coordinate the work. While some are paid for this work, most are not. Thank you for working in them the desire to use their gifts and time for this noble purpose. Make their service a blessing to fellow believers. Bring them joy and reward in carrying out their responsibilities faithfully. Use them to support others when necessary and to lead when called. Build up your kingdom through their efforts, and meet all of their spiritual needs so that they can carry out their work well. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For the Ongoing Pursuit of Growth

Loving Lord,
When you called me to faith, you called me to a life of growth. While our physical bodies are limited by how much they can grow before they start to decline, our faith can always grow, no matter our age or circumstances. However, this kind of spiritual growth doesn’t happen accidentally, but intentionally. It happens when we are deliberate about prioritizing your Word in our lives. And, while we may tend to think of growth happening in ideal settings and surroundings, it often happens in scenarios that are anything but. Adversity and affliction can be accelerators of growth if we let them, as those are the experiences which easily strip us of self-reliance and steer us toward our Savior. No matter what season of life we’re in, give us faith eyes that see favorable opportunities to grow closer to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Acknowledge Your Generosity (Part 2)

Generous Father,
It isn’t just the size and scale of all of the physical blessings in my life that demonstrate your generosity, but also the wealth of spiritual blessings you pour out on me. Forgiveness is not measured by the ounce, but by the gallon, gushing over me through the words of absolution and in the generous servings of your Supper. The hope I have in you is never day-to-day, but eternal, since you never fail to keep your promises. The words of peace spoken by Jesus to his disciples after he rose still apply to your disciples today, as yours is a peace that cannot be exhausted. There are also the gifts of the Spirit, the fruits of the Spirit, and an endless abundance of other spiritual blessings! Finally, what makes your generous treasury of spiritual gifts so certain is that they all hinge on your limitless grace, lavished freely and fully on me and on all of your followers. Thank you!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Raise up Men to Lead

Lord God,
Raise up believing men everywhere to take seriously your charge to be spiritual leaders. Some are lukewarm, lazy or apathetic. Others are insecure, lack confidence, or don’t know the first step. Still others are too comfortable passing off their God-given responsibility to their wives and other women. Work repentance and renewal in the hearts of Christian men everywhere and empower them with your Holy Spirit. 

Eliminate their indifference. Replace their timidity with trust. Guide them with your Word. Place other spiritually mature men in their lives to model and mentor what godly leadership looks like when men step into the roles you created them to fill. Let their impact be felt in marriages, families, congregations, and even whole communities as you stir up in them a spiritual fervor to hold high the banner of your gospel. Bless them and produce abundant fruit through their efforts in tending to your kingdom.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Seek Your Kingdom

Christ the King,
I am a citizen of two kingdoms. I am a citizen of my earthly kingdom, determined by whichever nation I was born and/or live in. This citizenship can change, or I can even become a citizen of multiple countries, if I choose to pursue the necessary paths to do so. There are varied blessings attached to this type of citizenship, depending on the country in which we hold it.

But even the greatest of these earthly blessings will never measure up to the spiritual blessings attached to my citizenship in your kingdom. While the blessings of this citizenship are superior because they extend into eternity, they also affect me here and now as well. Keep me focused then, on my pursuit of your kingdom. Make me long for more of what your kingdom offers – an identity that is secure in you, the joy you grant in serving you and others, and the meaning and purpose attached to the work of extending your kingdom by putting your gospel to work. Let me never tire of seeking your kingdom. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.