DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Care for Caregivers

Caring Father,
Look with favor on those who serve as caregivers. Whether it’s adult children caring for their elderly parents, dedicated parents caring for children with physical limitations and/or special needs, or somewhere in between, their work is arduous. Be the source of their strength. While they focus on providing care for others, it can be easy for them to neglect their self-care. Give them ample time to allot to their own care, and surround them with a support system of others who recognize when they are running on empty and offer to step in and help. Make the service that caregivers provide not only a blessing to those they care for, but also to them, so that they are able to see and enjoy the fruit of their labor.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Provide Father Figures for Those Without Fathers

Father God,
There are so many young men being raised without the strong presence of a loving, firm father. Many dads have checked out, either through busyness or selfishness, essentially abdicating their responsibility to father their children. In other cases, dad isn’t even in the picture, leaving mom to single-handedly carry out his responsibility in raising his child(ren). Lead godly men to be aware of such situations and, with the parent or guardian’s blessing, give these Christ-like men the courage to help take young men under their wing to guide and encourage them as a father-figure would. Use them to provide examples of biblical manhood, displaying humble confidence and spiritual strength, while also showing sacrificial service and loving care to others. Model for them strong marriages and family blessings, so they are inspired to aspire to follow these godly examples. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those Facing Persistent Problems

Mighty God,
Now that Christmas has passed, some are stuck with the reality that their problems still persist. Having temporarily avoided them or pretending the magic of Christmas would somehow make them all disappear didn’t actually fix anything. However, what Christmas can do is change our view of the problems we face. Having been reminded that you came into this world to overcome it and to defeat the devil’s work, our problems seem so much smaller by comparison. Give strength and determination to those dealing with ongoing issues and challenges, and remind them that the Savior born in Bethlehem is the Mighty God who is strong to deliver and save. Lead them to turn to you, to lean on you, and to trust in you to guide and direct them through their troubles. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Guide Me in Self-Discipline

Sanctifying Spirit,
Along with power and love, you equip us with a spirit of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). Apart from you we only know darkness and are enslaved by sinful and rebellious attitudes. Without your enlightenment, the evil one deceives us, hiding our lack of discipline behind a false freedom that convinces us we’re in control and in charge of our lives.

But, when your grace opens our eyes to see the truth, we see how blind we truly were. Only by faith do we welcome and embrace a spirit of self-discipline. We desire to turn away from temptation and go to war against wickedness. We are eager to rebuke unrighteousness in our own lives and shield ourselves from Satan. Intensify the spirit of self-discipline within us so that we are determined to establish sound spiritual boundaries in our lives to help guard and protect ourselves. Guide us to pursue what is good and pure and noble in your sight, so that we magnify you with our whole lives. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Let Your Love Flow Through Me to Others

Loving God,
Not only have you equipped me with a spirit of power, but also of love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). Without first being on the recieving end of your love, I would struggle mightily to love others as you call me to. This is obvious because even with your love I have a hard time loving others well! 

Therefore, whenever I find it challenging to love my neighbor, shift my thoughts away from my own inadequacy and instill in me the confidence of your Spirit working in me. Jesus’ perfect love overcomes my lacking love. And, just as Jesus was equipped with the Holy Spirit, so am I. So let the love of both the Spirit and the Son wash over me and flow through me to others. Lead me to focus less on my flawed love for others, and more on being a conduit for your amazing love to be extended to others through me.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Live Confidently in Your Power

Mighty God,
Move me to take to heart your reminder that you have not equipped me with a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). While your power and might are readily on display throughout the pages of Scripture, I forget that, by faith, I am privy to that very power. Because I know my shortcomings and am well aware of my own disappointments, any confidence I have easily dwindles. I am reluctant to speak up or take action when the opportunities arise. I let my fear of past failures prevent me from moving forward.

Direct me to look to you for strength and power – a strength and power that I could never match on my own! Where my own power would buckle and collapse, your power is strong enough to move mountains. Since you are the providing this power, I don’t have to look within myself for these qualities, but to you. Where my self-doubt has crippled me, let me act simply on faith, certain that you will provide me with the words and actions to move forward with confidence. Grant me a fearless faith that is powerfully spurred on not by who I am, but by whose I am.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Those Facing Addiction

Strong Savior,
Addictions can take many different forms, but all of them are destructive. While we live in Christian freedom, that freedom doesn’t allow us to be mastered by anything. Regardless the source of addiction – drugs, alcohol, pornography, shopping, gambling, etc. – whatever we permit to enslave and control us has power over us. When that happens, we are no longer free, but slaves. 

Come to the aid of all who are ensnared by addiction. Expose whatever lies they believe that only serve to downplay, hide, or facilitate their addiction. Surround them with those who care enough to point out the truth to them, and lead them to see and own the truth about their addiction. Provide a pathway out of their addiction and the support and accountability to keep them on track. Hold them up by the power of your Word, hold your cross before them when their battle is fierce, and remind them of the price you paid to free them from sin and addiction. Let them turn to you and find in you everything their addiction could never satisfy or provide.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Put Off My Old Self

Gracious Spirit,
You have made me to be a new creation, holy in your sight and set apart for your purposes. Nevertheless, until you call me home to heaven or you return – whichever happens first – I still battle with my old self. This is a daily battle that can only be won with your strength. Clothe me, therefore, with added layers of your power so that I can daily put off the old self with its desires and inclinations.

The more you fill me, the less room there is for my old self to dwell in me. Grant me also the ability to see with physical eyes and to practically understand what this spiritual battle looks like in my day-to-day living. Make me aware when my old self takes over my thinking and my desires, so that I can call him out and silence him. Lead me away from anything that might attract the attention of my old self in order to deter his influence in my life. Give to me the necessary resilience, determination, and perseverance to never tire of putting off my old self.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

For Your Strength to Sustain Me

Almighty God,
I am not interested in pretending that my own strength is sufficient to sustain me in any way. So I ask you to strengthen me with your power, according to your might. Only then will I have the ability to patiently endure. Only then will I have any hope or chance of withstanding Satan’s attacks and defending against him in spiritual warfare. 

Strengthen me with your sacraments. Help me to embrace my Spirit-filled identity as victor, which you anointed me with through my baptism. Reinvigorate me through the Supper when my soul is weary and worn, and rejuvenate me through your body and blood to rejoin the spiritual battle with fresh vigor. Equip me with the weapon of your Word to fight valiantly, to persevere, and to confidently expect the victory you have already promised and won. When you alone are the only source of my strength, I know I will never fail. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

To Persevere Through Adversity

Dedicated Lord,
When faced with adversity, it’s easy to want to give in or give up. Sometimes just anticipating the extra time and effort it takes to handle certain challenges is enough to take the wind out of our sails. When such struggles also require physical pain or the emotional weight of stepping outside our comfort zone, it can feel like too much to take on.

Without your strength, these types of difficulties might overtake me; but I am not without your strength. You promise to help me navigate hard things in life. Let that be the confidence I need to persevere. Help me to look up rather than give up, and remind me that there is great blessing in simply enduring and seeing things through. Grow and stretch me through adversity, so that I may be better equipped to face the next hardship, and qualified to support others through theirs, too. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.