Tag: struggle

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. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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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

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For Those Struggling After Christmas

Joy of the World,
The day after Christmas can be a sad one for many. It can feel like it serves as the official mark of the holidays coming to a close. With Christmas in the rearview mirror, joy and anticipation quickly fade. No matter the cause, I pray for you to be with all who are down or struggling. The highs of the holidays can usher in difficult lows. Uplift those whose hearts are hurting or spirits are saddened. Turn their gloom to glee with good news and words of encouragement. Brighten their demeanor by fostering a grateful attitude in them, so they become aware of the many reasons they have to give thanks. Ultimately, whenever possible, I pray that you are not only enough for all people, struggling or not, but also that you become the source of their greatest joy.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Thank You for the Blessings of Hardship

Giving Father,
Thank you for allowing bad things to happen in my life. As much as I may pray for you to take them away or hedge me from them, you often turn them into a blessing that enriches me in some way or another. With this understanding, reshape my prayer life while I am in the thick of difficulty. Open my eyes to see the potential for good that you might bring out of any given challenge, and let that inform my prayers. Grow me through adversity and mature me through the refining fires of hardship. Always draw me closer to you when struggles arise, reinforcing my trust in you and firming up my faith in your promises. Thank you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Persevere Along the Way

Precious Savior,
I know the you are the Way, and only through you has the door to heaven been opened. But I also know that along that way there will be crosses to bear that will include hardship, pain, and suffering. When these are revealed in my life, I am tempted to look for an alternative route. It would seem to be so much easier if I could simply ignore the difficulties altogether and pretend they’ll just go away. If only I could close my eyes and cover my ears to all struggles, then open them again to see that everything would be better! 

But it doesn’t work that way. I must stay the course, even when it includes suffering and pain. For what is waiting on the other side for all who persevere is better than anything we could ever imagine. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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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.