Category: September

A Prayer about Death by Resentment  

Resentment kills a fool. (Job 5:2 NIV)  

Gracious Jesus, it’s been entirely too hot in our city this summer, and I’ve been registering that complaint entirely too many times— so much, in fact, that I can now see how my complaining has been morphing into resenting. It came to a head yesterday when I walked out my front door for a jog, only to find myself cursing the humidity, the temperature, even the sun. 

I came back inside and inaugurated a thirty-minute pout. That’s when you convicted me, when you let me know the weather’s not the only thing I’ve been resenting lately. I resent having to explain and repeat myself. Why can’t everybody instantly intuit what I’m thinking?

I resent grocery stores running out of my favorite cereal. Who does their stocking, anyway? I resent gossips, so much that I gossip to others about their gossip. I resent change and transition. Why can’t everything stay the same, or at least disrupt my plans and “groove” minimally? 

I resent resentful people. Why can’t they stop their whining and be more content with what they have? I resent roads that are always being repaired, drivers that delay moving four seconds after the red light turns green, birds that do their business on my windshield. I resent good grass dying and crabgrass thriving. I especially resent that people I love suffer too much, too soon in life. It just doesn’t seem right or fair. 

Jesus, my resentment will either kill me as a fool or drive me to you for life. I choose the second option. Forgive me for fertilizing a spirit of entitlement. Forgive me for not pulling up the roots of bitterness sooner. Forgive me for being better at resenting than repenting of late. Forgive me for demanding life in the “not yet” before the “already” is over. Forgive me for preaching the gospel to others but not to myself. Forgive me for telling others of the sufficiency of your grace while looking for some other balm for myself. 

I make no excuses or promises. Today, right now, I simply collapse upon you afresh as my wisdom, my righteousness, my holiness, and my redemption (1 Cor. 1:30). I praise you that I’m not feeling condemnation, for there is none. I praise you that I am feeling conviction, for there is plenty. I pray in your patient and loving name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Jesus’ Joyful Kingship  

But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
(Heb. 1:8–9)  

Lord Jesus, there’s really nothing that affects my life more than how I think about you. The more I see you everywhere in the Scriptures, the more I understand why you alone are worthy of our adoration, affection, and allegiance. I expect to say the same thing ten thousand years from now. 

Today I’m marveling at your joyful kingship. It’s stunning to see the relationship between your joy and your hatred of wickedness and love of righteousness. Jesus, you delight to crush evil and you rejoice in making all things new. Indeed, your kingdom is a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:7). The Father has placed the government of the entire cosmos on your shoulders, and your reign of grace and peace is expanding all the time. You are the joyful King of the ages. 

But I also marvel at your request for the Father to fill your church with this very same joy—the fullness of your joy— the joy you have eternally enjoyed within the Godhead (John 17:13). 

May an increase in our joy propel us into expanded servant hood. May it be the fire we need for doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. May the oil of your joy encourage and refresh us lest we grow weary in the battle. 

Jesus, Satan was crushed under your feet on the cross, and he will soon be crushed under our feet at your return (Rom. 16:20). Your throne will last forever and ever, and your kingdom will never end. We pray with joy, in your triumphant name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Sex  

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter. (1 Thess. 4:3–6)  

Jesus, a part of me is blushing and squirming as I pray through this text. The word sex engenders the widest range of thoughts and emotions. There is no part of our being that carries a greater capacity to reveal beauty and evil.

Grant us grace and wisdom to steward the precious gift of sex. In our marriages, may your servant love be revealed in the way we honor and care for one another. In the ebb and flow of sexual desire, give us kindness to be for the other. 

In our singleness, give grace shaped for each situation. When good desire gets hijacked by sinful choices, forgive us and strengthen us. In our struggles, grant us a loving and holy commitment not to exploit anyone else’s heart or body to satisfy ourselves. 

For those of us engaged in sinful indulgence—pornography, prostitution, infidelity, and other expressions of broken sexuality— have mercy on us. Give us convicted hearts, repentant faith, and a willingness to get help. For those of us married to someone sinfully entrapped or addicted to sex, grant exponential grace, wisdom, safety, and more grace. May the pain of betrayal not preclude the desire and hope of redemption. 

For those of us wounded and broken by stories of sexual abuse or sexual misuse, bring your healing heart and hand to bear, Jesus. Take us on the path to safety, beauty, and restoration. For those of us married to a husband or wife wounded and broken through sexual sin, grant us kindness, mercy, patience and hope. 

Lord Jesus, in all of these situations and stories, convince us that what we need more than anything else is to connect with you intimately. Even the best marriage and most fulfilling sex life is no substitute for the wonders of marriage to you. You are the spouse we always wanted and needed. That is not hype, Jesus; it is our hope. We humbly pray in your great and tender name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Fear and Trusting God  

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
(Ps. 56:3–4 NIV)

Heavenly Father, as the reach of the internet keeps getting bigger, my world keeps getting smaller. More so than ever, I’m aware of my brothers and sisters all around the world who are clinging to you and to this Scripture today. Be praised, O trust worthy Father, even as we bring our family before you. 

I pray for the Christian community in Pakistan. The recent flood has been inconceivably devastating for the whole nation, and yet even more so for the 2 or 3 per- cent of the population who are followers of Jesus. They’re already persecuted, and now they’re being neglected in this time of crisis. For the glory of Jesus, I pray for enough clean water and food to meet their needs and enough to share with their Muslim neighbors. May the gospel advance in Pakistan by way of this horrible crisis, through your faithfulness and the servant love of your people. 

I also pray for our brothers and sisters in North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, Maldives, Bhutan, Yemen, Vietnam, Laos, and China— the ten places in the world where Christians are most likely to be singled out for persecution. Father, may your perfect love drive out their fears and strengthen their trust in you. 

What can mortals do to us? Plenty, Father, but in view of who you are and what really matters, very little. Grant us all the same grace and courage you gave Justin Martyr. When facing those who would take his life, he responded, “You may kill us, but you cannot harm us.” What but the gospel can create such a people? 

Lastly, gracious Father, for friends on our streets and in our churches facing hard medical reports, dwindling financial resources and other hard providences, bring the gospel to bear in tangible and faith-producing ways. And use us, Father, as answers to the very prayers we pray. We pray in Jesus’ most glorious name. 

Amen. 

A Prayer about Temptation  

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor. 10:13)  

Faithful Jesus, as you know, this was one of the very first verses I memorized back in the summer of 1968 as someone who had known you only a few months. It was timely and encouraging then, and a little over four decades later, it’s still the same. The seizing power of temptation is just as real to a sixty-year-old as to an eighteen year old.

It would be one thing if temptation came like junk mail, quite easy to recognize, ignore, and discard. But at times temptation comes with such enticing, alluring, and promissory power that “standing up under it” doesn’t appear possible. I would despair and question the reality of my faith if I didn’t have the assurance that temptation itself is not sin (James 1:13–15). Jesus, the very fact that you suffered the full fury of temptation also gives me hope and keeps me sane. 

The encouraging and timely parts of this verse, Jesus, are the commonality of every temptation and the promise of a way out of any temptation. This assures me that no matter how dark, foolish, or destructive are the things that enter my mind, such temptations are not unique to me. Such temptations are common to other believers, just like me. I’m not terrible because I’m tempted, but I am tempted to do terrible things.

Jesus, I ask for myself and for a host of friends, bring the hope and resources of the gospel to bear at the very places we feel the seducing power of temptation the most. Whether our temptations are sexual, financial, relational, or alcohol or drug related, it makes no difference— show us the way of escape, and give us strength to choose that way. Jesus, give us enough grace in this very day to prove your faithfulness and to keep ourselves free from acting out in ways we will surely regret. We pray, Jesus, in your all-sufficient name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about the God Who Encourages  

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
(2 Thess. 2:16–17 NIV)  

Gracious Father, just reading your Word encourages me. You could delegate a legion of angels, you could send a bird to sit on my shoulder, you could have a few friends call me— any of which would be nice— but you, yourself, come to us in the Bible. I’m humbled and I’m very grateful. 

The Scriptures are such a gift to us. They are a treasure trove of hope, an artesian spring of well-timed refreshment, a perpetual supply of redemptive surprises and return trips to gospel sanity. 

Father, because of the “eternal encouragement and good hope” of your grace for us in Jesus, I can risk making myself vulnerable today and cry out to heaven with- out muting or masking my weariness. Lord, I’m more than a bit weary as the day begins. I feel tired, discouraged, listless, on edge, and uptight. 

I don’t know if I’ve tried to get too much done in too little time. I’m not sure about the spiritual warfare issues swirling about me; it could be the accuser whispering lies and condemnation. Perhaps it’s just that I’m getting older and I don’t have the same energy I used to have. It could just be the tension of life in the “already and not yet,” or maybe I’m trying to do life with too little sleep. Then again, possibly it’s just the groaning of birth pangs in my heart, so wanting to be much more like Jesus than I already am. Probably it’s all of the above. 

In any case, and every case, I look to you to encourage my heart and strengthen me for gospel deeds and words all this day long. I cast my care on you because I know you care for me. I pray in Jesus’ name, with thanksgiving and glad anticipation.

Amen. 

A Prayer about the Process of Forgiving  

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
(Col. 3:13 NIV)  

Gracious Jesus, every time I pray the Lord’s Prayer, I’m confronted with the dailiness of the call to forgiveness. Usually that’s not a big deal. Maybe it’s because I’m conflict avoidant and would rather wave off an offense than deal with the chaos and mess. But you’ve been forcing the issue over the past few weeks. There’s brokenness all around me and in me. 

My conflict avoidance is a thin veil for the serial killer that lives within. Even as I write and pray this prayer, two names and faces come before me that I know I haven’t forgiven. I’ve so enjoyed holding them hostage emotionally by my critical spirit and self-righteous smugness. Help me, Jesus, and others like me. Though I’m convicted, I can’t say that I relish the idea of letting go of my pain. Have mercy on me, Jesus. I praise you for already forgiving all of my sins— past, present, and future; every sin of word, thought, and deed.

I praise you for not merely waving off my sins but wading into the mess and paying the supreme price of your life and death. As I ponder the riches of your grace, I realize that unforgiveness is the greatest non sequitur of all. I purpose to begin forgiving these two people and anyone else you bring to mind. I repent, but I do not promise anything. You must help me, Jesus. I cannot and I will not do this on my own. I pray in your holy and loving name. 

Amen. 

A Prayer about Freedom and Christian Cannibalism  

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. (Gal. 5:13–15)  

Dear Jesus, I’m thankful the gospel is more like a subpoena than a mere invitation. Our need is so great that we could not respond apart from such a strong summons. Indeed, the gospel is a life-giving subpoena— the means by which you call us from death to life, from slavery to freedom. We were just as dead and bound in grave clothes as Lazarus was when you spoke the words “Come out” (John 11:43), and you raised us from spiritual death. 

I praise you for the sovereign, death defeating, liberty-giving power of the gospel. Those you set free are free indeed! And the freedom to which you’ve called us is to define the rest of our days and permeate every area of our lives. 

This is nowhere more necessary than in the world of our relationships. We’re to love one another as you love us, Jesus. According to you, this is a confirming mark of true discipleship (John 13:34–35). But as in Galatia, so in our churches, marriages, and friendships; it’s a blatant and ugly contradiction of the gospel when we fall into “Christian cannibalism”— biting and devouring one another. Worse, it’s a sabotaging of your glory and a veiling of your beauty. It’s lying about who you are and what it means to be in relationship with you. Forgive us; forgive me. 

Please show me where I’m living like a relational piranha— nibbling on others’ brokenness and inconsistencies more than I’m feasting on the gospel; holding on to unforgiveness just to gain advantage in a relationship; rehearsing the sins of others more than I’m remembering the way you’ve forgiven me; being petty rather than patient, critical rather than compassionate, mean rather than merciful. Help me know when overlooking the failures of others would be not cowardice but courage. Help me learn how to go through conflict redemptively, rather than destructively. 

Lord Jesus, we’re free only because of you. Help me to steward this costly freedom today in a world of broken people and broken relationships. I pray in your glorious and graceful name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Wisdom  

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)  

Heavenly Father, how I praise you for free and full access into your presence, all the time, all because you have declared all your children to be perfectly righteous in your Son, Jesus. And I praise you that as I come today seeking wisdom, I’m kissed by your welcome and inundated with your generosity. 

Indeed, I really need your wisdom, Father, about a few matters that currently confuse me, all of them centering on who I am as a relational person. However you wish to inform my heart, the peace I have is that you will always do so in concert with the gift of your Word. 

Father, I need you to show me the difference between a healthy costly investment in people’s lives versus an unhealthy entanglement and enmeshment. I know the gospel is always calling me and giving me the resources to love as Jesus loves me, but sometimes I don’t really know what that looks like. Help me, Father; help me.

I need wisdom to discern the difference between rightly validating the emotions of those I love versus wrongly taking responsibility for their emotions. My broken default mode will probably always be to try to “fix” people, but I confess yet again that you are not calling me to fix anyone but to love everyone. Grant me wisdom, dear Father; grant me wisdom. 

I need wisdom, Father, about my own emotional world. The emotion of anger has always confused and threatened me. Help me to know when the anger I feel is nothing more than the response of a little boy not getting his way. Help me to know when the anger I swallow should be expressed appropriately, not swallowed. Help me to get angry in the face of injustice, that I might love redemptively in the face of evil. Help me to listen and seek to understand the emotion of anger in others and not rush to judgment or rush out of their story too fast. 

Father, just praying this prayer stirs up so many other thoughts and feelings in- side my heart. My joy is in knowing that we can keep this conversation going throughout the day. My great joy is in knowing that you will give me and my friends the wisdom we need, and you will do so generously. You gave all our fault to Jesus on the cross that we might live in your permanent world of all your favor. We cry hallelujah as in your name we pray.

Amen. 

A Prayer for Bringing Conflicting Friends to Jesus  

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:1–3)  

Gracious Jesus, there are times when your faithful servants don’t see eye to eye on very important matters. Our best efforts at keeping “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3) get stressed and tested. Differing perspectives lead to sharp disagreements, and sharp disagreements can lead to the parting of ways. This happens in marriages, among good friends, on the mission field, in local churches, and in seminary boardrooms. 

This morning I’m bringing three current expressions of this very scenario before your throne of grace. My heart’s heavy, but not as heavy as it would be if I didn’t believe you to be the Prince of Peace; if I didn’t believe in the power of the gospel; if I didn’t believe that your name is Redeemer and Restorer. Here’s my prayer for friends in the throes of turmoil. 

Lord Jesus, may seeking first your kingdom and your righteousness far outweigh any other seeking— seeking to win, seeking to be right, seeking to avoid pain, seeking to get our own way. It’s your glory and story that matter the most, Jesus, not ours. 

Help us to recognize and resist the schemes of Satan in these conflicts. He hates you, your followers, your church— he is passionately committed to destroying all expressions of beauty among your people. Help my friends keep the main issues in view and not get drawn into biting and devouring one another (Gal. 5:13– 15). 

May friends who see the issues so differently still honor one another as family and beloved servants of Jesus. How we handle our conflicts is just as important as the issues that generate our conflicts— maybe even more important at times. 

Even as you redeemed the painful story between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36– 40; 2 Tim. 4), so bring redemption in these broken stories that are breaking my heart. I pray with sadness but trusting in your powerful name.

Amen.