Tag: worship

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

Thank You for the Elderly in Worship

Holy Father,
Sundays are sacred. Being able to gather for worship is a blessing often taken for granted. Use the example of elderly church members to encourage us in this regard. As we age, even the little details of daily life become more and more difficult to carry out. Coupled with that are chronic pains and other health issues that would be enough do discourage many from gathering for worship. Even transportation, which presents little challenge for many, can be an obstacle for those without the freedom of driving as a result of their age.

Yet week in and week out, they regularly gather in your house for worship. These faithful, experienced believers are such fine examples for so many each week. Let us imitate their dedication and commitment to hearing your Word and receiving the Sacrament. As they are a blessing to others in this regard, let others be a blessing to them by offering assistance and help whenever needed, as well as a simple “thank you” to them for setting such fine examples of Christian faith in action. Continue to develop many more dedicated disciples just like them, including me.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For the Dechurched

Patient Father,
Sundays are sacred. As churches hold services and pastors preach sermons, you set the table to serve your people a rich spiritual feast. But for various reasons, many believers who used to attend church no longer view it as an essential part of their Christian walk. For some, those reasons are rooted in painful memories and experiences; for others, they are merely excuses. Often these individuals see no danger in their disconnect from regular worship. 

Since you know what is in their hearts, Father, put fellow believers around them who know their struggles, who are willing to listen, and who desire to help. Use them to provide encouragement where needed or admonition when necessary. Also, help congregations and pastors be willing to own up to their wrongs and seek reconciliation with members they may have pushed away.

Rekindle in the hearts of distant believers a longing to return to your house for worship, and when they do, see that they are well fed by your Word. Guide them in reestablishing a healthy worship life and build them up in their faith. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Reformation Blessings

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Today and this week, as many congregations highlight the Reformation in their worship and joint services, use the celebration of the revealed and restored gospel to fill many hearts with great joy. Thank you for those who have gone before us and stood firmly in the face of opposition and false teaching to contend for the truth of your Word. Because of their tremendous sacrifices, guided always by your Holy Spirit, the Bible remains unchained and Jesus is boldly proclaimed. As we gather for worship to hear it, speak it, and sing it, renew our appreciation for the freedom we have to make your Word central to our worship. May we always be ready and willing to reform anything that would compromise, confuse, or hinder your gospel, so that for generations to come, it may continue to refresh weary souls and breath life into the lost.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Those Who Serve on Sundays

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. While many of us are focused on the typical Sunday morning routine of waking up, getting dressed, and arriving at church on time, there are others for whom Sunday worship is an opportunity to serve. Thank you for the many who not only get your house ready for worship, but who also serve before, during, and after worship so that we can be fed the Bread of Life. Fill those serving with a godly pride as they embrace the privilege of serving you in these ways. Give them meaning and purpose as they carry out their work faithfully, and grant them the satisfaction of a job well done in your name. May their service to you be a blessing for them as well as other worshippers.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For the Opportunity to Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Thank you for the freedom and accessibility to gather for worship regularly. In the United States, it is easily taken for granted that we have an abundance of Christian churches at which we can worship. While their theology varies, the blessing of even being able to hear the Bible read is not a given in parts of the world. You also provide the freedom to worship without fear of repercussion or threat to our physical lives. Finally, you even provide multiple means of transportation that enable us to attend worship in person. Lead us to demonstrate our gratitude through our frequent attendance, and strengthen and stretch our faith through your Word as it is read, preached, and served through the sacraments.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Musical Gifts in Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Thank you for those who preach the Word and serve the Sacrament. May their efforts continue to feed our faith as they keep us focused on Jesus and his saving work.

Working together with pastors in worship are those who use their musical gifts to guide God’s people in singing the good news of the gospel. Thank you for the musical variety you provide in worship through different instrumental and vocal gifts. Bless the time musicians put in practicing each week to play and sing in a way that strives for excellence in worship. Let them feel appreciated for all their efforts, and through their efforts, edify your people and glorify your name.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Those Unable to Worship

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. There are many who long to gather in church for worship this morning, but for a variety of reasons are unable to. For Christians in certain parts of the world, gathering together with other believers is a dangerous risk. For others, there is no Christian church that is faithful to your Word in close proximity. Still others suffer from health issues or a physical inability to attend worship. 

Provide all these believers with other opportunities to feed their faith. Thank you for technology that allows them watch worship and to hear your Word, even when they cannot be physically present. Surround them with caring Christians to encourage and uplift them, and provide them with pastors and missionaries to serve and care for their spiritual needs.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

To Overcome Worship Frustrations

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. But… they can also be a source of frustration if I allow them to be. There can be elements of worship or styles of music that I don’t care for. I may find the sermons or the preaching to be formulaic and predictable. There are individuals who sometimes get under my skin. In short, there are always realities that I can turn into roadblocks to justify taking a pass on worship.

Yet any reason I might list to excuse myself from worship also serves as a double-edged sword, reminding me of my need for forgiveness. Let your gracious patience and with me and your boundless forgiveness always be enough to drive me to worship you. Let nothing hinder me from being in your presence where your Word is proclaimed and the Sacraments are dispensed. Turn every worship obstacle into an opportunity that can stretch and grow my faith and bless and serve my neighbor.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

To Taste and See Your Goodness

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. In your Word you invite us to taste and see that you are good. Sundays are an ideal opportunity to take you up on your invitation. In every way possible this morning, as I walk into your house for worship, let me experience your goodness. As I take note of the worship space and consider how so much of it directs my attention to you, let me see your goodness. When I sing hymns that recount all that you have done on my behalf, all that you do daily for me, and all that you promise to do for me in the future, let me see your goodness. When your Word is read and proclaimed, send your Spirit to enlighten my understanding of you and reinforce my faith as you let me see your goodness. When I leave your house, having been filled up and encouraged, let me leave with a renewed zeal to pursue righteous living and to draw others to you so they, too, may see your goodness. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

To Love Your Word and Worship

Holy Father,
The Ten Commandments are intended to be a blessing, not a burden. Nevertheless, since they expose my sin, I naturally bristle before them. You command us to love your Word and worship, not because you need it from us, but because you know our greatest need is you. You alone save, and without you and apart from you nothing else matters. So when I despise or neglect your Word, I am on the most dangerous path possible.

In this modern day, I have more opportunities than anyone at any time in history not only to study your Word, but also to worship with other believers. Since there is no other means by which you build up and bless your people and your church, instill in me a craving for the Bible. Create in me a longing to gather with fellow believers to be fed and nourished by your Word as it is sung, spoken, and proclaimed in worship. Make me diligent in prioritizing daily time with you in your Word, so that I may treasure it as it ought to be treasured. Through it, keep me near to you for this life, so that I may be near you in the life to come.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.