Tag: struggle

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Look After Pastors

Good Shepherd,
Thank you for the work you do to shepherd your sheep through pastors. Keep them well fed spiritually, so that they are always faithful to your Word and dedicated to the ministry. At the same time, let us remember that since they, too, are sinners in need of a Savior, their own lives will not be without struggles. Some may be self-inflicted, while others may be the direct result of Satan’s malicious efforts. He seeks to do great damage to your church by maligning ministry, and he knows that targeting pastors is highly effective. Therefore, lead pastors to be transparent about their burdens, to lean on fellow believers for strength and support, and to do battle against their own vices through confession and absolution. Do not leave pastors isolated in ministry and do not allow them to establish the habit of forsaking regular gatherings with other pastors. Let us be vigilant in keeping our eyes open for warning signs that could indicate the need for help, and let us be deliberate about praying for our pastors. In all of this, guard, protect, and bless pastors so that they can serve you and your people well. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Stuck in Struggle

God of Mercy,
Be merciful to all believers who are in the throes of any personal struggle so intense that they are hanging by a thread. Sometimes, such struggles have the negative effect of leading people to question their faith and ultimately fall away from it. Other times, hardships lead your people to lean into their faith, and you strengthen it through such adversity. For all those currently on the frail fulcrum of distress, use it to draw them to you rather than drive them from you. As their faith is tested, let your Word and the body of Christ be a stronghold and support. Infuse them with strength by your grace, and pour out your Spirit on them to see them through this time of trial.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Who Help Us Bear Our Burdens

Compassionate Savior,
It is an unavoidable reality that this side of heaven, we will all have burdens to bear. But, you also give us an unshakeable promise that we will never bear any burden alone. You will not abandon us. You will not forsake us. You will not leave us on our own for even a second. While that would be enough, your care and compassion go even further, for you place others in our lives to bear our burdens along side us. It may be another set of ears to listen while we unpack our struggles. It may be eyes to help us see the next step. It might be solutions to enable us to lighten the load. It might be prayers, words of encouragement, or simply being present when we’re weighed down the most. Thank you, Lord, for providing these fellow burden bearers in my life. Make me willing to be the same for others when they need it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those in Support Groups

Gracious Savior,
Struggling with loss, addiction, or other adversities in life can be debilitating for many. Thankfully, there are many support groups that exist for people experiencing these kinds of challenges. Use these groups to be a blessing to all who attend them, if for no other reason than to let them know that others can relate to their struggles. Equip those who facilitate support groups with social awareness, compassion, and empathy, while also granting them the firm resolve to speak what needs to be said to those who need to hear it. Help participants discern when to share and when to simply listen. Use friends and family to keep encouraging those who are reluctant to attend, so they might eventually benefit from being a part of a community of people in a similar season of life. Whenever possible, use these groups – and the believers in them – to lead others to you, so they find unparalleled hope, meaning, and purpose to overcome their adversities.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Remember Those Dealing with Disabilities

Compassionate Lord,
In your loving care, provide protection and pathways for those dealing with any sort of physical limitations. We gratefully acknowledge the many advancements that exist today to aid people dealing with disabilities, and celebrate the doors that have been opened as a result. Nevertheless, these blessings are not available to everyone everywhere. And, even where they are available, real daily struggles still present challenges for so many. Help us, in Christian love, to strike a balance between respecting independence and offering care and assistance when possible. Grant us understanding minds and compassionate hearts, so that we are always looking out for our neighbors in need, and make us willing to befriend and bless them accordingly. In turn, use their resiliency, resolve, and determination to inspire and encourage others, being a blessing to them as well.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Enlightenment for Those Struggling With the Word

Sanctifying Spirit,
Your Word is life. Through it you lead us to you in faith, and through it you sustain and strengthen that faith. Yet, because your ways are not our ways nor are your thoughts our thoughts, we struggle with certain teachings in Scripture. Be present, Spirit, with those who are discouraged or doubting. Do not allow the evil one to manipulate confusion or uncertainty in such a way as to drive a wedge between our loving Father and his precious saints. Rather, use the struggle to stretch faith. Allow doubts to serve as a reflection of our own weakness, leading to a greater reliance on God’s strength. Use the clear passages of Scripture to illuminate difficult teachings and so enlighten believers to your precious and powerful promises. Bring your gift of unity wherever the devil divides, and thwart his efforts to use your Word to turn your people against each other and against you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Appreciate Adversity

Mighty God,
We don’t pray for hardship or struggle for ourselves or others, yet through them, you discipline us and teach us perseverance. Since these blessings would be rare to come by apart from adversity, thank you for allowing difficulties to come into our lives. Use them to build us up into what you need us to be. Make us resilient and ready for future challenges. Lead us to lean on you and into you for determination and direction.  Stretch our gratitude to more deeply appreciate the degree of suffering you obediently endured in our place.  Change our mindset about struggles into one that welcomes them as learning experiences that pull us in closer to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Battling Hidden Struggles

Compassionate Christ,
Today I pray for those who are suffering silently. On the outside, it may appear as if all is well and life is good. But inside, unbeknownst to others, they are suffering and struggling mightily, possibly even contemplating suicide. I plead for you to intervene in any way necessary to guard and protect them from any immediate threat of harm. Prompt them to pause, reflect, and discover solutions that offer hope. Or, open a window that allows another individual to truly see them, pick up on their hurt, and engage with them in meaningful conversation. Let that dialogue reveal a promising path forward. Be present with them in their isolation and loneliness, and roll back the darkness to reveal your wonderful life-giving light. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Look to You When Facing Disappointment

Lord God,
Be my rock whenever I face rejection or disappointment. No matter where I experience it, in relationships, at work, or just in life in general, it can be heavy to process. And, I’m often vulnerable during such times to give in to specific temptations as unhealthy and destructive ways to cope. Provide me with a battle-ready faith that can fend off such temptations, while also turning my focus to you. I say and sing that if I have you, I have all that I need, but occasions like these harshly put that claim to the test. Help me navigate through what I’m feeling, and strengthen my heart not just to know that you are enough, but to trust it, and to find healing in that truth.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Contemplating Suicide

Author of Life,
Although they may have figured out how to mask it on the outside, many are desperately hurting on the inside. For a number of them, the struggle is so severe that they have even considered suicide as an option. Intervene, Lord, especially in the lives of those who have gone so far as to plan out how they would end their lives. Protect their lives by frustrating their plans and making others aware of the gravity of their situation. Compel those with suicidal thoughts to be proactive and ask for help, and when they do, provide it. Let those struggling in this way know that others love them and care for them, and that their lives really do matter. And, if that is difficult for them to grasp or believe, open their eyes to see that they are so valuable to you that you were willing to give up your only Son for them. Please extend their time of grace and restore meaning and purpose to their precious lives. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.