Tag: time

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Extend Hospitality to Others

Friend of Sinners,
In our rushed, always-on-the-go lives, failing to slow down isn’t just unhealthy for us; it also affects our neighbor negatively – not necessarily by what we do, but by what we leave undone. Constant busyness and scrambling to keep up with stacked schedules leaves precious little time for hospitality. We easily overlook and neglect our neighbor’s needs when we allow little or no margin in our lives. Sometimes we even justify avoiding others on the basis of our busyness. Help us pause and ponder. Make us aware of those you’ve placed before us to whom we can show kindness, welcoming them into our lives with genuine friendliness and hospitable hearts. As we share our blessings and belongings with others whenever the chances arise, we show them how valued they are as we put love into action.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Bless Congregational Leaders

Almighty Lord,
In your grace, you not only provide congregations with pastors to shepherd your sheep, but also faithful congregational leaders to direct and carry out ministry. Since the vast majority of congregations rely on volunteer members to serve in various capacities rather than paid staff, these gifts to your church are willingly giving their time and talents as sacrificial offerings. Make their work a joy, surround them with support and prayers on their behalf, and let their acts of service inspire others to use their gifts in service to you, too. Bless the relationship leaders have with their pastors and teachers, so they are eager to help and build one another up. Grant them the joy of having a front row seat in seeing firsthand the fruit you bear through their work together with the gospel. Provide for all of your churches in need of leaders, and continue to raise up faithful, dedicated, gospel-fueled believers to lead for generations to come.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Fathers to Be Present in Their Children’s Lives

Faithful Father,
Thank you for the blessing of fatherhood. And thank you for the blessing of forgiveness for failures in fatherhood. Without your grace and patience, fathers could never measure up. Daily, you are present with your pardon in the lives of fathers. Help fathers also be present in the lives of their children. Let their shared interests stem not only from what dads enjoy, but also from the fascinations of their children. Lead dads to regularly give their children the first fruits of their schedule rather than the leftovers. Strengthen the unique bond between fathers and children through shared experiences and joint projects, and connect them through thoughtful conversations. When earthly fathers are present for their children, they provide a powerful and illustrative reminder that you, our Heavenly Father, are always present for your children, too.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Spouses to Feel Loved

Loving Lord,
Since people express love and feel love in different ways, we should expect the same to be true in marriage. The way husbands and wives communicate their love for each other varies. Help them to explore and discover this about each other. When one spouse feels loved one way, that doesn’t mean the other experiences love in the same way. One desires to spend time together doing anything at all, another cherishes thoughtful gifts. Others long to care for or be cared for, build up with words, or hug and hold hands. Sometimes this variety can be frustrating when a spouse expresses love in one way, but it isn’t received as such by the other. Instead of frustration, Lord, make spouses continually curious, searching together for all the wonderful ways to make sure their partner feels exceedingly loved. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Blessing of Reuniting

Lord God,
We are so blessed to have those we love and care about in our lives, who also love and care about us in return. Some of those people are under our own roof, and others are far away. You spoil us with so much technology that enables us to keep in touch and even see one another from long distances. Yet even with all of that, nothing tops being able to be physically face-to-face with dear family and friends, so thank you for any occasions that allow for joyful reunions after time apart. Whether it’s an opportunity to stop in for a quick hello on the way to somewhere else or an extended stay together, we’re grateful. Reuniting with loved ones fills our hearts – through hugs, catching up, laughter, and memories both made and remembered together. May we always cherish the blessing of reunions.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Put – and Keep – You First Daily

Greatest Treasure,
Although we so easily and regularly convince ourselves otherwise, there is never anything on our daily to-do list as valuable as our time with you. There is simply no replacement for daily time spent in your Word. No matter how packed our day may be, no matter how much we need to get done, no matter how many pressing issues we’re facing, do not allow us to deceive ourselves into believing that we don’t have time for you or that such time somehow limits what else we can accomplish. You call on us to seek your kingdom and your righteousness, with the assurance that you will take care of the rest. Help us show you that we believe your promise by giving you the first fruits of each day, every day, and not the leftovers. Then, show us how graciously and reliably you keep your promise. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Do the Work

Gracious Lord,
Each day is a gift from you, twenty-four hours freely entrusted to us to manage in a manner that shows honor, love, and respect to you and my neighbor. One of the great enemies behind the mismanagement of our time is procrastination. When I allow myself to put off certain responsibilities or delay plans until I feel like following through, it shouldn’t surprise me that such feelings almost never seem to show up. Feelings don’t fuel traction; taking action does. Grant me the self-discipline to avoid internal back-and-forth conversations debating my drive to get things done, and instead nudge me to start moving in the right direction. I have goals and plans and dreams, all of which you can richly bless as you see fit. Guide me to give you something to bless, not by putting things off, but by putting the work in. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Who Serve on Sundays Unnoticed

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Many who serve on Sundays do so behind the scenes. Thank you for their willingness to give the gift of their time and talents in service to you and their congregations in various ways. Let them find a joyful reward in seeing how their service is a blessing to others. While they don’t serve for the recognition, prompt others to express their appreciation and to thank them regularly, so they feel valued. Use their service to build up others and to showcase the gospel as clearly and as beautifully as possible. Move them to always give their best, because you are worthy of nothing less. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Have and See the Blessings of Patience

Dear God,
While your timing is perfect, my patience is not. Virtually every area of life has sped up over time, meaning we are used to getting what we want almost immediately. We don’t have to wait until a certain night of the week for our favorite show – we can stream it right now. Same-day delivery means days or weeks of waiting for our purchase is most often a thing of the past. Our meals can be heated up in minutes and our phones give us instant answers and feedback on anything we want to know.

As a result, we aren’t accustomed to waiting. Having to do so can make us anxious and irritable. We struggle to wait in line or at the stop light. And we also struggle with the timing of your promises. We want you to keep them on our time, not yours. We want you to act now, not months or years from now. So I ask you to be patient with me in the midst of my impatience. Forgive me. Grant me a spirit that can slow down and wait. Let me use my windows of waiting for prayer and spiritual reflection, and allow me to see the many blessings of patience in my life and in my interactions with others. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Value Your Gift of Time

Eternal Father,
Time is one of the most precious gifts you give us. Unfortunately, it often isn’t until a significant portion of time in our lives has passed us by that we realize it. When we are young, we feel as if time is an unlimited commodity. As we get older though, and unfinished tasks pile up, the window to achieving our hopes and dreams shrinks, and we see so many other lives cut short all around us, we treasure time more and more. Lead me to set aside time each day to give thoughtful consideration to how I intend to put your gift of time to use for those 24 hours. Limit the time that is so easily lost in useless or senseless activities. Guide me instead toward a profitable and fulfilling use of time that edifies, blesses, or serves others and me, while also bringing honor and glory to you.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.