Category: May

A Prayer of Intercession for Friends  

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. (1 Sam. 12:23–24)  

Lord Jesus, there’s a lot more to friendship than praying for my friends, but I haven’t really been a good friend unless I’ve prayed and continue to pray for them. 

The fact that you call me friend is overwhelming. And knowing that you are always praying for me is all the motivation I need to repent of my prayer-less-ness. In- deed, how can I enjoy such a rich standing in grace and not “stand in the gap” for my friends? 

For my friends with broken hearts, Jesus, I pray for the reach and touch of your tear-wiping hand. Spare them from those of us who would “heal their wounds lightly” (Jer. 6:14), not taking their pain seriously enough. Heal them in such a fashion that will leave them merciful toward others, not merely pain free. 

For my friends with angry hearts, Jesus, I pray you will dialogue with them the way you entered Jonah’s rage. “Do you have a right to be angry?” you asked the conflicted prophet. I’m not praying you will simply make my angry friends sweet. Help them see the sadness behind the mad, the pettiness in the petulance, and the real hurt being mishandled in more hurtful ways. 

For my friends with fearful hearts, Jesus, I pray you will bring your centering, calming presence to bear. To be fearful is one thing, but to be fearful and alone is almost unbearable. Place your hand upon them in the gospel, the way you touched the apostle John. Speak deep into their hearts, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One” (Rev. 1:17–18 NIV). 

For my friends with deceived hearts, Jesus, we’re prone to wander and you’re prone to come after us. For my friends with hearts en route to being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, for those under Satanic spells, for those who are simply selfish, stubborn, and stupid— Jesus, rescue them before they bring any more harm to themselves and others, I pray. 

Jesus, help all of us— starting with me— constantly remember what great things you have done for us, so that we might fear you with affectionate reverence and serve you faithfully with all our hearts. I pray in your gracefull name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Being Subpoenaed to Hope  

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you. (Eph. 1:18 NIV)  

Merciful Father, if a sheriff knocked at my door this morning with a subpoena, I’d be a bit unnerved. But today, like every day, the gospel is knocking at my door to subpoena me to hope. Nothing is more settling and centering. 

Thanks for making hope a calling. You haven’t just extended a general notification or given me a polite invitation. I am called to hope in Jesus, just as surely as you called me to a saving knowledge of his grace and will call me to an eternal celebration of your presence one day. I wouldn’t think of ignoring a summons from the sheriff; I’d be crazy to ignore a summons from you. 

This morning I’ll gladly make myself a target of Paul’s petition. Open the eyes of my heart right now. Wipe the morning crud from my eyes. Things seem a bit blurry. I’m having a hard time focusing. Help me to see Jesus clearly today. I’m glad to see more of heaven and all the amazing stuff you’re got planned for us in the new heaven and new earth. But just show me more of Jesus as my righteousness, as my constant intercessor, as my bridegroom. That will be enough, more than enough. 

Free me from fixing my gaze on circumstances and people. I tend to give them way too much power over my heart. Paul wrote these words of encouragement from a Roman prison, not from a Mediterranean condo. What do I have to complain about? I have real needs, but you give an even greater hope. 

Bring enlightenment where there’s been dullness and myopia of late. Throw the curtains all the way open; lift all the clouds; do more laser surgery on the eyes of my heart, if need be. Just show me more of Jesus— that’s all I really need. I pray in his tender and triumphant name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Snakes, Scorpions, and God’s Spirit  

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:11–13)  

Dear Father, it’s been almost fifty days since Easter Sunday. That makes this upcoming Lord’s Day Pentecost Sunday—the day when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. Like ignoring a house guest, I can take this honored heart guest for granted. I repent, especially as I recall what a special Person he is. 

Blessed Holy Spirit, it’s because of you I believe the gospel. If you hadn’t given life and faith in Jesus, I would still be dead in my sins and trespasses. You also sealed me forever as the Father’s possession. You’re the first fruits of my final redemption— the guarantee that one day I will live with the whole family of God in the new heaven and new earth. 

It’s by you I hear the Father tell me I’m his beloved child. It’s by you that I hear and learn more of the glory and grace of Jesus, for you are always drawing attention to him. 

It’s through your power I’m able to put to death everything in me that contradicts the gospel. It’s through your work that good fruit is being produced. I’m becoming more and more like Jesus because of you. 

I can pray and worship acceptably only because of you. In fact, you’re praying in- side of me right now, and you continue to do so even when I’m too undisciplined or too broken to pray. It’s by you that I am gifted for service and empowered for mission. How I praise you for your multiple graces in my life! 

Father, I take Jesus’ promise seriously. Today, I ask for more of the Holy Spirit’s work in my life. I love fish and eggs, but what I need and want is the gift of your Holy Spirit. Free me from my stereotypes. Free me from a mere correct yet notion theology of the Spirit. Free me from being held hostage to distortions of who the Holy Spirit is and fears of weird stuff. I am thirsty enough to be done with being cool and being in control. I pray in Jesus’ exalted name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about the Generous Mystery of the Trinity  

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor. 13:14) 

Most glorious, Triune God, I’m finally at home in my finiteness. Mystery is now a good friend, not an intruder to figure out. It’s no longer about explaining you as Trinity. It’s about worshiping with wonder and surrendering with gratitude. 

Dear Lord Jesus, what more could we possibly want or need than for your grace to be with us today? It was by your grace we received eternal life. It is by your grace we are being transformed to be like you. And by your grace one day we will enjoy the perfections of life in the new heaven and new earth. We praise you for your saving, sustaining, and sufficient grace. 

Dear heavenly Father, what more could we possibly need today than the assurance and supply of your love? You’ve promised we will never be separated from your great love for us in Jesus. Because of what Jesus has accomplished, you will never love us more than you do today and you will never love us less. 

Dear Holy Spirit, what more could we possibly long for today than fellowship with you? To fellowship with you is to enjoy the doxology and delights of the whole Godhead. I no more presume on such a privilege than I presume I have the ability to create a whole new universe. 

Indeed, may your grace, Jesus; your love, Father; and your fellowship, Holy Spirit, be with us all day long. I pray in Jesus’ trustworthy and triumphant name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Working Hard to Rest Well  

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest. (Heb. 4:1–3) 

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest. (Heb. 4:9–11) 

Heavenly Father, what a glorious paradox. You’re calling me to work diligently, to invest great effort, to strive with all my might to enter your rest. I know my performance based heart well enough to appreciate the obvious irony. Work hard to rest well. Work hard to cease working. 

The gospel contradicts the fundamental way I’ve been trained to approach every sphere of life— athletics, education, finances, career, reputation. “Do it the good ol’ fashioned way—earn it!” “God helps those who help themselves.” “You’ll always get what’s coming to you.” These mantras have been my motivation and my madness. 

Because the gospel is true, I didn’t get what’s coming to me, fortunately. You gave that to Jesus at the cross. And in exchange, you’ve given me what I never could’ve earned: complete forgiveness, the righteousness of Jesus, and your permanent favor resting on me. There’s no greater rest than to know you are at peace with me, to be certain that you are resting and rejoicing in great love over me. 

Jesus, you created the world in six days and then entered a Sabbath rest. Like wise, when you died on the cross, securing our salvation and the restoration of creation, you cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Your work was over and you rested, and now we enter your rest. 

Our never ending work is to hear and believe this gospel. What a most liberating vocation you have given us. In your gracious name I pray.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Not Relishing Revenge  

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Rom. 12:19 NIV)  

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice. (Prov. 24:17 NIV) 

Merciful Father, I relish the taste of wasabi-kissed soft shell crab sushi, of a seared-to-perfection rib eye steak, of fresh pistachio gelato dribbled with a few extra pistachios and a little hot fudge. But I also savor stories of revenge seasoned with spiteful retaliation and topped off with the gravy of extreme retribution— when the bad guy gets it even worse than he gave it. Alas, I am always in need of the gospel. 

It’s good to long for and to work for justice and to live for the day of ultimate justice. But I need and I must heed your warning to avoid a vengeful spirit like I would run from coiled rattlesnakes, toxic fumes, or E. coli– poisoned waters. 

No matter what the provocation— from a personal “dissing” to evil parading its hatred of beauty— you are telling me I have no right to revenge, no right to gloat when an enemy falls, no right to get back at or to get even with anybody. 

I’m so glad you didn’t “get even” with me, Father, for all the ways I rebelled (and do rebel) against you, for all the ways I’ve chosen my gain over your glory, for all the ways I’ve misrepresented you to the world, even to my own heart. You didn’t get even; you got generous. May the cross of Jesus keep me humble, patient, and expectant of the day of consummate justice. I don’t want to waste one more self- absorbed moment relishing personal revenge. There are much better things to eat. I pray in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about the Last Command in the Bible  

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Rev. 22:17) 

Blessed Holy Spirit, it’s Pentecost Sunday, and how appropriate to be meditating on the very last command in the Bible. “Come, thirsty ones! Come, desiring ones! Come and take the free gift of the water of life.” I am thirsty . . . I do wish . . . I do come, gratefully and expectantly. 

From the day you first convinced me of my need of Jesus and gave me faith to trust him, I’ve had an unquenchable thirst for the water of life. The bitter waters of sin only make me sick, fortunately. The deceiving waters of my broken cisterns satisfy ever so briefly. The illusionary waters of countless mirages are just that: illusions. I’ve paid for all of these waters, dearly. But the water Jesus gives is free! 

So once again, I bring my thirst to you. I’m thirsty to know Jesus better and better. I’m thirsty to be quicker in my repentance and slower in my excuses. I’m thirsty to grow more of your fruit and less of my thorns. I’m thirsty to be freer to love others as Jesus loves me. Slake these thirsts by the water of the gospel.

I’m thirsty for the new heaven and new earth. I’m thirsty for the wedding feast of the Lamb, when the bride will no longer say, “Come!” but will say, “We are here, all of us!” I’m thirsty for the day when God’s glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. I’m thirsty for the day of no more thirst. I have no doubt you will satisfy all of these thirsts. I pray in the fullness and faithfulness of Jesus’ name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about the War to End All Wars  

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. (Rev. 19:11–16)  

Triumphant Jesus, on this Memorial Day I gladly stop to honor the men and women who have served our country in various branches of the armed forces. In a world filled with “wars and rumors of war,” I don’t take our servicemen and service women for granted. There has never been more of a thankless, even despised job. 

But on this particular Memorial Day, I want to stop and honor you as the ultimate servant-warrior— the quintessential man of service— the one who on the cross waged the war to end all wars. 

No one hates warfare among vying nations more than you. No one is more of- fended even by the petty and pointless squabbles between spouses and friends (James 4:1–2). No one paid a greater price to bring the final and full peace for which we intensely long and hope. 

Having secured the defeat of the prince of darkness on the cross, you’re now the rider on the white horse— alone worthy of the name Faithful and True. You are faithful to fulfill every promise God made for the salvation of his people and the restoration of creation. And you are truly bringing to completion this good work of redemption, for your name is also the Word of God. 

Though evil hates beauty, your love trumps all evil. Evil will not prevail. It has been defeated, and it will be eradicated. You are already the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Your kingdom has come and your kingdom is coming. I pray in the memory and victory of your matchless name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about God’s Ownership of Our Battles  

The Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s. (1 Sam. 17:47) This is what the Lord says to you: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chron. 20:15 NIV)  

Dear Father, I love it when you’re selfish with things I don’t really want anyway— especially when you claim ownership of any battle into which you place me. Though you call me into warfare and give me armor to wear (Eph. 6:10–18), it’s you I must trust in as the Divine Warrior. I’m to be not a disengaged pacifist but a fully engaged worshiper, beholding the salvation of the Lord. I’m never more than David facing Goliath. But with you, I will not be afraid. 

Whether it’s a mere skirmish or an all out assault, the battle belongs to you. Fear and discouragement are not the order of the day; faith and peace are. 

When I’m afraid of events in world history— when it seems like evil and terror will triumph— let me hear the laughter of heaven. Let me see your installed King, the Lord Jesus. Show me the occupied throne of heaven, and it will shut up my fears (Ps. 2). 

When I’m under attack by the seducer, accuser, and condemner of the brethren, once again let me see Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. He is my wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30–31). My boast is in Jesus, not in anything in me. 

When I get pulled into petty fights with my brothers and sisters in Christ, slay us with the gospel and bring us back to faith expressing itself in love. 

When I’m in the presence of evil and very broken people, keep me sane and centered by the gospel. When my divided heart wages war inside of me, come to me in the storm, Jesus, and make peace. I pray in your triumphant name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Healing Words  

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Prov. 12:18 NIV)  

Gracious Jesus, I love words. I especially love the way you use words to bring me healing, freedom, and hope. You never shame me with words. You never manipulate me with words. You never hurt me with words. You never flatter me, but you do bring great encouragement. You never repeat my failures to others; you only bring my sin and brokenness to the throne of grace. You never say too much or too little. You neither mince words nor waste words. You alone have the words of life. 

My prayer is simple yet necessary: grant me greater stewardship of my words, Jesus. As you speak to me, please speak through me. I’m painfully aware that my words can bring great harm and death, even as they can be a source of hope and life (Prov. 18:21). If I’m not careful, my words can have the effect of gangrene (Eph. 4:29). 

You tell me that my words are a sure reflection of what’s filling my heart: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil per- son out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). So no mere promise to avoid gossip, idle chatter, reckless words, or coarse jesting will be enough. I must constantly be preaching the gospel to my heart. May the overflow of your grace be obvious to all. I want my tongue to be a scalpel for healing, Jesus, not a hammer for harm. I pray in your merciful name.

Amen.