Category: May

A Prayer about the Fierce Good-bye of Suicide  

And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he [Jesus] said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch for one hour?” (Mark 14:32–37)  

Gracious Jesus, twice in a year would be sobering, twice in a month would be shocking, but to have two families in our church lose a loved one to suicide in one week is simply too much. Have mercy on us, Lord; have mercy. How could this happen? What did we miss? What are we to do now? 

We’re to run to you, Jesus. Where else can we go with our disbelief, numbness, shock, and profound sadness? No one has suffered overwhelming sorrow like you. 

What you sustained in Gethsemane and endured on the cross makes the path into your presence so very welcoming. 

There are so many things we don’t understand about suicide. We feel guilt. We feel fear. We feel vulnerable. Please help us in the middle of our shock and confusion. 

Oh, the holy and horrible mystery that you were made sin for us, Jesus—the victim and agent of sin. No one understands like you how disintegrated and distressed the heart can become, even to the point of losing all desire to live. No one understands like you the guilt and shame of sin. No one understands like you betrayal, loss, for sakenness, emptiness.

And no one knows how to love in the most broken of all stories like you, Jesus. Because you drank the cup of God’s judgment, you now give us the cup of your grace. How are we to love and serve these families in the coming hours and days? What will being present and keeping watch look like?

Though you were abandoned by sleeping disciples, you will never abandon us. Jesus, help us know how to love in the darkness. Bring your limitless, tender mercies to bear. No one can offer tears of hope and a tear wiping hand like you, Jesus. We pray in your solace-laden name.

Amen. 

A Prayer in Response to Environmental Disasters and Hard Providence

The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
and strips the forest bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace! (Ps. 29:9–11)

Sovereign Father, it’s not just media footage from a faraway place. It’s my neighborhood, my friends, my family, and it’s right now. The floodwaters have already forced evacuations and damaged many homes, and there’s much more rain coming. 

Before the sun rises, veiled by threatening storm clouds, I lift my gaze and heart to you. I come— I run— to the one who sits enthroned over the flood, the eternal King, who does all things well. I come praying for our situation but also for people and places where similar stories of hard providence are being written today. 

Father, I don’t ask “Why this crisis? Why us?” for I know the rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous, even as the sun rises on the evil and the good (Matt. 5:45). And I know the present world will never again be destroyed by flood- waters (Gen. 8:21). But there are two things I do ask for, two things you have promised: strength and peace. 

Grant us all the strength we will need today to serve one another in love. As the floodwaters continue to rise, many more people will be despairing, displaced, and disheartened. Strengthen our backs and arms for what lies ahead. This is a time for neighbor love, not just looking out for ourselves and our own stuff. Grant us the power of the Holy Spirit and extra energy for neighbor love. 

And grant us all the peace we will need today to act wisely, trust boldly, and love deeply. We will probably need to negotiate and navigate some fear and panic. Help us care for those most vulnerable and anxious. May your peace rule as an umpire in our hearts— centering us, focusing us, and leading us to make good choices for one and all. 

In this crisis we praise you for Jesus, the high and safe Rock, the ultimate trust worthy foundation for any and every storm of life (Matt. 7:24–27). Thank you for rescuing us from building our lives on all kinds of shifting sands. I pray in Jesus’ strong and peace giving name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about the Every Nation Day of Prayer  

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:9–10)  

Loving Father, on this “national day of prayer,” it’s easy to think of several things to bring before you. First of all, I praise you for heavenly citizenship. Thank you for making me a citizen of the realm from which I eagerly await the return of the true King, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He’s already reigning, and one day he will return to transform all things— including transforming my body to be like his glorious body (Phil. 3:20–21). What comfort and what joy that good news brings! 

Secondly, as broken as our country is, I’m very thankful to be an American citizen. I praise you for the many freedoms we still enjoy and the multiplied privileges that go with being a citizen of this great nation. I bring our sitting president before the occupied throne of heaven, and I ask you to be at work in his heart and through his hands. 

As with all “kings,” you set them up and you sit them down at your discretion, so I trust you for the accomplishment of your sovereign purposes through our president, in keeping with the eternal wisdom of your heart. I don’t look for a lasting city in our country but for the City whose builder and maker is God— that would be you! 

Lastly, the more I understand the gospel, the more I find it easy to pray in light of the apostle John’s vision of the “every nation” day of prayer. Oh, for the day when men and women from every nation, tribe, people, and language will be wearing the white robes of grace-secured salvation while waving palm branches of praise and shouting in perfect harmony, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:10). 

Because that day is coming, free me to be a better citizen of two countries until the kingdom of God arrives in fullness and the King of Glory arrives in splendor. I pray in his sovereign and saving name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about God Overriding Our Unbelief  

He [Peter] went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. (Acts 12:12–16 NIV)  

Heavenly Father, thank you for chronicling this almost comical prayer meeting in your Word. As much as it exposes our unbelief, in a far greater way it highlights your faithful commitment to do exceedingly beyond all we can ask or imagine. This story describes the kind of praying that’s going on in my heart way too often. I dutifully pray, but I faithlessly doubt. Forgive my unbelief; override my unbelief. 

There are many things I’m praying about right now for which I want to hear “Peter knocking at the door.” I have no need to be considered a great prayerrior. I’m not looking for wonderful stories to tell others as a testimony to my faith. I simply want you to bring a whole lot of glory to Jesus. Astonish us, Father; astonish me. 

Father, I pray for those in the persecuted church and for their leaders. Strengthen them, encourage them, and grant miracles of provision and deliverance. Cause the gospel to spread like wildfire. Give them so much joy, peace, and love that their persecutors will be convicted and fall down and worship you. 

Father, I pray for the courageous men and women who are laboring in the dark world of human trafficking. Bring justice to bear; deliver women and children from the evil of slavery in every form. Protect the rescuers and provide good aftercare for those rescued. 

Father, I pray for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit on our church family. Let us have done with “lesser things” that we might more fully give ourselves to the things that matter the most to you. We’re spoiled; we’re dull; we’re bored and we’re boring. The main vision we need is a renewed vision of Jesus gathering his bride from the nations and making all things new. Free us from ourselves for yourself. Astonish us, Father; astonish us as you override our unbelief. I pray in Jesus’ exalted name.

Amen.   

A Prayer Asking God to Do More Than We Can Ask or Imagine 

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge— that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:17–21 NIV)  

Heavenly Father, as I read these words addressing the churches in Ephesus, I am more grateful than ever that you have rooted and established us in your love. You have planted our roots deep in the fathomless depths of your agape love. Our eternal health and fruitfulness are not in doubt. We will flourish and thrive forever. The gates of hell will not overcome the growth and forward movement of your beloved people (Matt. 16:18). 

However, until that day, so much can happen to us and among us as your people. Satan hates the church, and we are an “in Christ” but still sinful people. It’s what makes Paul’s prayer so critical for each day. What but a bigger and better grasp of the love of Jesus can keep us focused on the things that really matter and repentant for the ways we fail one another? 

Father, it’s sobering to realize that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians wasn’t the only time the churches of Ephesus were addressed about love. Many years later Jesus spoke these words to the same churches, “I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first” (Rev 2:4–5 NIV). Really good churches can fall into really big messes. Only the love of Jesus can win the day. 

I’m glad you can do so immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, but I will settle today for what I can ask and for what I can imagine. I ask you to restore me to my first love relationship with Jesus. And I ask you for power— for an out- pouring of your Holy Spirit that will enable me and the brothers and sisters in Jesus to grasp how wide, long, high, and deep is the love of Jesus. 

May the love of Jesus humble us. Help us remember the height from which we have fallen, repent, and do the gospel things we did at first. I can imagine this, Father, and I do ask for it, so that your glory will be revealed in the church and throughout all generations. I earnestly and passionately pray in Jesus’ beloved name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about the Sacredness of Human Life  

I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Rev. 21:3–5)  

Most loving Lord Jesus, your loud voice and tear-wiping hand together give us the courage and compassion we need to live as faithful advocates for human life. How we long for the day when “death shall be no more.” Today we are especially thinking about the death of unborn children. 

Jesus, give us gospel courage to rise and contend against the dark oxymoron called “legal abortion.” Because you are making all things new, with undaunted hope we will fight the good fight of faith for children who are still being knit together in their mother’s womb. 

There is a day coming when abortion will be no more. In light of that day, give us wisdom. Give us strength. Give us fire. Give us perseverance. Give us the sufficient grace we need to advocate for unborn children in this day— in our communities and among the nations of the world. 

We also cry out for gospel compassion. Jesus, show us how to love and care for women and men whose stories are marked by abortion— either as victims or agents. Only the gospel is sufficient for the guilt. Only the gospel can bring healing. Only the gospel can transform an agent of darkness into a warrior for justice and mercy. 

Jesus, we also long for the day of no more miscarriages and stillbirths. Our hearts break for those families who would love a child to your glory, but must endure the pain of giving up their children before birth. Show us how to love and serve them well. Extend your tear-wiping hand through us. 

We also ask for courage and compassion to adopt the millions of orphaned children who have safely made it into this world. May our zeal against abortion be matched by our zeal for adoption. Surely the gospel is big enough for this calling too. We pray in your holy and loving name.

Amen. 

A Prayer Praising Jesus for His Persistent Love  

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Rev. 3:19–20)  

Dear Lord Jesus, every day we have the privilege of living the hymn “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” for you love us tenaciously and you pursue us constantly. As hard as it is to imagine, you desire fellowship with us, and not occasionally but continually. It’s even harder to imagine that you actually enjoy being with us. We believe; help our unbelief. 

In the gospel we enjoy eternal union with you, but for various reasons, we tend to flow in and out of vital communion with you. The sad thing is, sometimes we don’t recognize our heart drift for quite a while— days, even months. It’s usually the people around us who first recognize our being out of communion with you, for rich fellowship with you changes the way we relate to everyone. 

Jesus, there’s no greater rebuke than to hear you knock on the door of our hearts, yet that knock comes like a kiss. Nothing is more convicting than to hear your voice on the other side of that door, yet your voice is that of a bridegroom wooing his beloved bride. It’s because you love us that you confront us and discipline us. All of your rebukes are life-giving, and when you discipline us, though it’s painful, it’s for our good and our freedom. It’s your kindness that leads us to repentance. 

Jesus, your knock and your voice in the gospel are so powerful, and by faith we rise to greet you. Come in and let us feast together this very day. You are the bread we need the most. You give the water that alone quenches our thirst. Until the day when daily fellowship meals are replaced with a wedding feast, may we have to hear your knock on the outside of the door way less often. We pray with gratefulness, in your loving name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Feeling Overwhelmed by the Odds  

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, be- hold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15–17)

Gracious Father, there are times when the “odds” feel quite stacked against us, as your people. With the naked eye, the enemies of justice, truth, and the gospel greatly seem to outnumber your “troops.” Serving you feels quite overwhelming, at times even futile. 

But just when I begin to retreat into a basement of fear or question your concern and faithfulness, once again you open the eyes of my heart and show me the way things really are. You’re such a patient and merciful God.

Though serving you is not like a childhood game of kickball, when we did our best to choose the best players for our team, nevertheless, it is good— no, vital to know that because of the gospel, “those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16).

But the way of the gospel will always be strength in weakness, the transforming treasure of the gospel in fragile clay pots, like us. It was three hundred poorly armed soldiers, not thirty-four thousand fighting men, you sent with Gideon to defeat the Midianite army. Jesse’s youngest son, David, a young shepherd, was your choice to be the king of Israel. Most profoundly, it was the crucifixion of Jesus, not an insurrection of zealots, that won our salvation. 

Father, the odds are never really stacked against your covenant purposes and your transforming kingdom. You’re not “trying” to do anything. You never have to resort to plan B. You never hedge your bets. You are God, and there is no other. 

So help us, and your servants throughout the world, not to become weary in preaching the gospel and planting churches, in doing justice and loving mercy. We will reap a harvest at the proper time if we do not give up (Gal. 6:9), and the gospel is all the motivation, hope, and power we need to not give up.

Before Jesus returns, he will redeem his pan national bride, and when Jesus returns, he will finish making all things new and will usher in the new heaven and new earth. Our labors in the Lord are often exhausting and discouraging, but they are never in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). We pray in Jesus’ trustworthy and triumphant name.

Amen. 

A Prayer of Desperation for Peace  

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6–7)  

Dear Jesus, I’ve memorized this Scripture, taught it, preached it, and prayed it for many struggling friends. Today, however, I’m desperate to lay hold of it for myself. I am anxious, so I need grace to obey this command. I know you’re not asking me to pretend and pose, for knowing you is the end to that way of life. And I know you’re not asking me to be a stoic, for you are gentle and humble of heart. 

Jesus, it was you who turned the chaos of an unformed world into the beauty of creation. Please do the same with all the chaos swirling around me and in me. Replace my angst and confusion with order and beauty. 

For the things that grieve me, bring your tear wiping hand. For the things that of- fend me, keep me from a critical and selfish spirit. For the things that alarm me, grant me the perspective of heaven and gospel sanity. Please don’t let me get bitter. 

For the things over which I have no control, give me a fresh vision of the occupied throne of heaven. For the things I do have control over, grant me wisdom and strength to act accordingly. Please help me steward my anger, my sadness, and my weariness to your glory. I don’t want to waste this moment or these feelings. 

Jesus, I have no reason to doubt either your mercy or your might. You gave your life for us upon the cross. You have risen to make all things new. You are unremittingly advocating and praying for us. No one loves us more than you do. I have seen you do astonishing things before. Do astonishing things again. I am weary and worn down. 

Set the peace of God as a sentinel in my heart and mind. Great King of glory and grace, guard and protect my heart from the lies of Satan, the whisperings of gossip, and the cynicism of naysayers. I pray with hunger and hope, in your most trust- worthy name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about American Politics and My Bad Attitude  

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. (Rev. 1:4–5 NIV)  

Glorious Triune God, lately my attitude about the American political process has been brewing in me a cesspool of irritation and cynicism— a sure indication that I need the gospel to center me. So I begin this day reminding myself of exactly who you are and what you are up to in your world, as revealed in the Scriptures. Nothing has greater power to convict me of my sin and help me regain perspective. 

Sovereign Father, I’m greatly encouraged to remember that you are timeless in your engagement with your creation and your people. You always have been, you presently are, and you always will be the God who is working all things together after the counsel of your will. You never need a holiday, you never suffer from ADD, and you always bring your “A game.” 

God the Holy Spirit, in your seven fold perfection, you are constantly executing the will of the Father concerning all things— from feeding sparrows and clothing flowers; to revealing and applying the grace of Jesus; to raising up kings and putting kings down at the Father’s bidding. Nothing and no one can resist you. 

Lord Jesus, you are the faithful witness who reveals everything we need to know about all things. You’ve never lied, exaggerated, or withheld any revelation we need about anything. You are the firstborn from among the dead. Your death and resurrection are the guarantee and the first fruits of the whole new creation order. Be- cause you were raised from the dead, all who trust in you will be raised. The entire cosmos will be restored and brought to a grandeur of which the Garden of Eden was just a hint. 

King Jesus, you are the ruler of the kings of the earth. Forgive me when I pine and whine about who’s sitting in the biggest chair in the White House or the Kremlin, North Korea or China, Iran or Israel. The good news of your present and future reign should free us from all panic and paranoia. It should also free us from all passivity and presumption. Show us how to live as good citizens of heaven and America. May your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. We pray in your glorious and gracious name.

Amen.