Tag: welcome

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Churches to Warmly Welcome Visitors

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. In this new year, many have made or will make resolutions to go to church. For some, this choice is fueled by a penitent awareness that they have sinfully been neglecting worship. For others, this commitment reflects a curiosity and desire to explore the Christian faith and learn more about it. Regardless of the reason, lead churches and regular church attenders be ready to greet with open arms any and all who walk through their doors in this new year. Let these visitors feel warmly welcomed by radical and loving hospitality extended by your people. Let law and gospel be clearly proclaimed in worship and allow the forgiveness and salvation of Jesus to be central to it. Send your Spirit to work in the hearts of all these visitors and use your Word to draw them closer into your church, the body of Christ.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Warmly Welcome the Wandering

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Today in your churches, there will be believers returning for worship for the first time in months or even years. Some may be members of their respective congregations, while others are not. First and foremost, provide exactly what they need to hear through the proclamation of your Word. Allow a clear preaching of the law to do what you intend, and a clear preaching of the gospel to do what only it can. Shelter these returning believers from snarky or thoughtless comments from their fellow Christians, ensuring that they are eagerly welcomed with joyful delight of the father in Luke 15. Let their experience feel to them like a homecoming, with their family of believers excited to rekindle their relationships and once again walk together in faith. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Prayers from the Prodigal (Part 4)

Forgiving Father,
Through the “lost” parables in Luke 15, we become aware of how radical your grace truly is. When I am on the receiving end of your compassion and see your capacity for forgiveness, it leaves me a changed man. To be freely welcomed and fully forgiven for all that I have ever done wrong is not only life-changing, but eternity-altering! With this as my reality, there is no place for bitterness or grudges against others when they sin against me. How can I possibly withhold forgiveness from anyone else while standing before a gracious Father who has not chosen to treat me that way? No, let my willingness to forgive others be a perfect reflection of your faithful willingness to forgive me. The world does not need more unmerciful servants, but more forgiving fathers. Help me to be one.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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Prayers from the Prodigal (Part 3)

Forgiving Father,
Through the “lost” parables in Luke 15, we become aware of how radical your grace truly is. Regardless of which son we identify with – the prodigal young son or the prideful older son – we need the same thing: the forgiving father. And in you, we have just that!

As we stumble our way through this life and press on toward our heavenly home, some naturally assume that rigid rules and the threat of a strict, stern disciplinarian are necessary to keep everyone on track. But yours is a better way! Your unconditional love, your open arms, your warm welcome – these are what draw sinners to you. Moreover, it is your heart for us – not the terror or fear we feel – that keeps us on the path of your righteousness to the open door that leads to eternal life. You paid a dear price to be able to forgive us again and again and again, and the sacrifice of your own Son is our only hope for being welcomed to our eternal home. Oh, how we need a forgiving Father! And there you are, always welcoming this lost-on-his-own son, with open arms and gushing with grace. Thank you!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.