Everyday Prayers

A Prayer for Moving from Cynicism to Servant hood  

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. (1 Pet. 2:13–17 NIV)  

Heavenly Father, it is Presidents’ Day in our nation— a perfect day for praying these words from the apostle Peter. But as this day begins I stand convicted of how little I’ve prayed for our past presidents and how very little I pray with faith for our sit- ting president. Forgive me, and by the power of the gospel, please give me a better attitude. 

I confess, I’ve been more of a cynic than your servant with respect to supporting our government. I haven’t been living with the confidence that you set up and sit down kings, presidents, premiers, and governors at your bidding. 

In many ways, I’m one of the “foolish people” Peter wrote about in this pas- sage— some one whose “ignorant talk” should be silenced by the gospel. Show me what “doing good” looks like as a dual citizen of the United States and the kingdom of God. Show me how to use my freedom wisely and how I’m to show proper respect to everyone, including our president. You’re not calling me to be passive, but neither are you calling me to be a pest. 

Father, I’m ashamed and humbled to realize that when Peter wrote this letter, the megalomaniac Nero was the sitting “president” in Rome. It’s obvious that Peter lived with more faith in the King of Kings than fear of the madman of madmen. Help me to do the same, Father; help me to do the same. 

Lord Jesus, yours is the only everlasting kingdom, and you are the only King worthy of my unqualified submission and obedience. I honor you as my King. I worship you as my Savior. I love you as my bridegroom. I pray in your name, above all names.

Amen. 

A Prayer for Gospel-Saturated Local Churches

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing— as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth. (Col. 1:3–6)  

Gracious Father, we bring our church families before you today, with all their brokenness and beauty. It’s not only a privilege but a central calling to pray without ceasing for one another in the body of Christ. For until the day Jesus returns, the church is your chosen means for revealing your glory, lavishing your grace, and advancing your kingdom. No wonder she is constantly being assailed by the world and assaulted by darkness. 

In keeping with the way Paul prayed for every church he planted, we ask you to inundate, saturate, and liberate our churches by the gospel of your incomparable grace— new church plants and aging communities alike. There’s no other power sufficient for the task. There’s no other story, motivation, or resources adequate for the calling you’ve given your beloved people. 

By the glorious gospel, bear great fruit in our midst, Father. Deepen and strengthen our faith in Jesus. It’s not the size of our faith but the object of our faith that matters most, so keep revealing more and more of the beauty and bounty of Jesus to us. Let us boast in his work, not ours. May the name of Jesus be the most heard, loved, and trusted name in our churches. 

By the powerful gospel, make us great lovers. By your mercy and grace, give us love for all the saints. Help us to love one another as Jesus loves us— the surest and most necessary mark of our discipleship. Tear down our divisions. Rescue us from our prejudices. Eradicate our petulance and pettiness. Demonstrate the difference the gospel makes in our worship, in our conflicts, in seasons of disconnect and delight. Don’t let us ever get used to loving poorly. 

By the hope filled gospel, liberate our hands, hearts, and resources for the work of your kingdom in our cities and among the nations. With us or without us, the gospel will continue to bear fruit and grow throughout the world. We want it to do so with us, Father. 

By the gospel, revive us, transform us, and free us for your sovereign and saving purposes. We pray with longing hearts, in Jesus’ exalted name.

Amen. 

A Prayer for a Gospel-Saturated Lent  

And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.” (Mark 2:19–20)  

Dear Jesus, it’s Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. For the next forty days we have the privilege of surveying your cross and preparing for the greatest of all celebrations: Easter Sunday, the foundation of our hope and the fountain of eternal joy. 

For your glory and our growth, we ask you to inundate us with fresh grace in the coming weeks. We don’t want an ordinary Lenten season, Jesus. Saturate it with the gospel. It’s all about you, Jesus. It is all about what you’ve done for us, not what we promise to do for you. 

Sadly, I used to dread Lent like late summer football practice— a lot of striving and sweat mixed in with much uncertainty and fear. “What’s the coach thinking about my performance? Am I doomed to sit on the bench? Will I even make the team this year?” What a misuse of the season of Lent. What a complete misrepresentation of the gospel. What a dismal way to live the Christian life. We’re your betrothed bride, not a beleaguered people. 

Indeed, Jesus, we begin Lent today anticipating our wedding, not our funeral, for you’re the loving bridegroom who died to make us your cherished bride. The work’s already done; the dowry has been paid in full; the wedding dress of your righteousness is already ours; the invitations have been sent out; the date has been secured; you’ll not change your mind! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

Over these next forty days intensify our hunger, our assurance, and our longing for the day of your return— the day of consummate joy, the wedding feast of the Lamb. In light of that banquet, we choose to deny ourselves (fast from) certain pleasures for this brief season. But we’re not looking to get one thing from you, Jesus— just more of you. Fill our hearts with your beauty and bounty, we pray in your holy and loving name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about a Very Slow Fast  

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” (John 6:26– 27) 

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35 NIV)  

Dear Jesus, I’m barely twenty four hours into Lent and already I realize how weak I am, how powerful my appetites are, and how much I take the gospel for granted. This may be the slowest fast I’ve ever tried. At this rate, this might be the longest forty days of my life. 

Who would’ve thought that one little piece of corn bread staring up at me from a Styrofoam dinner box could present such a challenge to my “no bread during Lent” fast? I choose to deny myself one little thing— with a world of other culinary options open to me— yet my mouth waters, my taste buds engage, and I want to chow down. 

Oh, that my hunger for you would be as compelling as my hunger for every other kind of bread. No bread endures to eternal life except the bread that you give. In- deed, all breads except the Bread of Life will ultimately spoil. 

During this season of Lent, renew our craving for the manna of the gospel. Intensify our longings for the day when we will feast together at the wedding feast of the Lamb. Ignite our hearts to sing with vigor, “Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more!” To come to you today is to never hunger for eternity. 

Help me and my friends as we seek you in fresh ways over these next six weeks. Jesus, may the gospel come alive in profound and transforming ways. Satisfy our appetites as no other bread can. Because the Father has placed his seal of approval on you, we find our approval in you. We pray with hope, in your satisfying and sufficient name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Planting Tears for a Friend  

Those who sow in tears 
shall reap with shouts of joy! 
He who goes out weeping, 
bearing the seed for sowing, 
shall come home with shouts of joy, 
bringing his sheaves with him. (Ps. 126:5–6)  

Gracious Jesus, I’m a grieving, weepy man this morning. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last time I get word of a hard fall— of a friend being “caught” (Gal. 6:1 NIV) and “entangled” (Heb. 12:1 NIV) in the short lived pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:25). 

As I pray for my friend, may my tears be like seeds of hope. If I only think about him, I get mad. Because of the gospel, I want to trust you for a harvest of a restored life and sheaves of redemption, all to your glory. 

What he did is serious, and he knows and owns it with brokenness and pained contrition. But what happens next is equally serious. Jesus, he loves you; no one doubts that. But his affection for you is miniscule compared to your love for him. As some would take up stones to harm him, speak these words to him: “Who is it that condemns you? Go and sin no more” (see John 8:10–11). 

Early in this season of Lent, let him survey your wondrous cross, upon which you, the Prince of Glory, died for rebels, fools, and idolaters just like me and just like my friend. As the accuser of the brethren screams condemnation, may the cross drown out those damning indictments with its louder boast, “You are fully and eternally accepted in the Beloved! Jesus became sin for you that in him you might become the righteousness of God!” (see 2 Cor. 5:21). 

Surround my friend with those who understand the difference the gospel makes in the face of failure, betrayal, and addiction. Raise up spiritual men and women who understand the ways of gentle restoration (Gal. 6:1) and the journey to gospel sanity. Provide good counseling and the healing community he will need. Show us, his friends, how to love up close and afar. 

Jesus, grant my friend deep repentance— a repentance that will result in the fruit grace alone can grow. Keep him humble, teachable, and patient in the coming days. In your tender and tenacious name I pray.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Our Fears and Treasure  

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for your- selves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Luke 12:32–34 NIV)  

Dear Jesus, it’s early in the season of Lent, and I’m poised to hear your calming voice and to experience your transforming presence. I gladly own my place among your little flock— one of your beloved lambs who’s no stranger to uncertainty and fear. The best news is that this little flock is your little flock. There’s no safer place than to be in your hand and heart. 

Jesus, I completely understand why you warned us against setting our hearts on the wrong treasure when we feel vulnerable. When threatened, we often look to the wrong things and wrong people for safety, stability, and security. But I’ve lived long enough to see what happens when we choose anything or anyone besides you as our ultimate treasure. 

I have friends who’ve inherited millions and others who’ve inherited the wind. I’ve seen families deeply stressed as they prepare for the reading of a will and then permanently divided over the execution of the same will. I’ve seen windfall profits turned into landfill waste in a matter of months. I’ve seen dads and moms drink away enough money in a couple of years to have built two orphanages in Haiti and educated their kids and grand kids for a couple of decades. 

There are all kinds of wear and tear and thieves and moths that diminish and destroy the temporal things and temporal places, but nothing, absolutely nothing threatens you and your everlasting kingdom. Right in the middle of our chaos and confusion, we reaffirm that you, Jesus, are our priceless treasure and most to be desired inheritance. Because of you we call God “Abba, Father” and the new heaven and new earth our inheritance. Hallelujah! 

Jesus, during the whole season of Lent, melt our fears with your peace; strength- en our hearts with your grace; and send us forth into kingdom service with your irrepressible love. We pray with gratitude, in your sane-making, soul-centering name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Plural Pronouns  

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Rom. 8:29–30 NIV)  

Gracious Father, one of the many things you’re convicting me about during Lent is the big family into which you’ve placed me. In the gospel, none of us is an only child. Though I came from the womb a selfish man, was raised in a culture of individualism, and am an introvert by temperament and often a loner by choice, nevertheless, you’ve made me for rich relationship and engaged community. 

I’m seeing this everywhere in the Scriptures, but especially in the plural pro- nouns. The “we’s” outnumber the “I’s,” and the “our’s” outnumber the “my’s” about ten to one. 

I praise you that the gospel is powerful enough to make a concave heart convex. I know of no other power that can free me for knowing and being known by others and for actually thinking more of others than I think of myself (Phil. 2:1–11). 

Indeed, there are no ordinary people or unnecessary people in the body of Christ. There are no big people or little people in your family. We’re all the right size. Not one of us is more justified than the other or more precious in your sight. We’ll all be equally glorified when Jesus comes back— each one of us will be just as lovely and loving as our Savior. 

Forgive me when my attitude and actions contradict these grand affirmations. Forgive me when I give more credence to my Myers-Briggs profile than my identity in Christ in trying to explain and defend my relational style. Forgive me when I use way too many singular rather than plural pronouns in my prayers. 

Father, one day we will gather as your completed family in the New Jerusalem as sons and daughters from every race, tribe, language, and people group, eternally diverse and perfectly united. As we will love then, enable us to love in small yet observable ways now— one family, many children, all to your glory. We pray in Jesus’ unifying name.

Amen. 

A Prayer for More Freedom  

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)  

Dear Jesus, I’m still not as free as you intend. Though you’ve already freed me from trying to earn my salvation by anything I do or based on anything in me; though you’ve already liberated me from the illusion that I can earn more of God’s love by ramping up my obedience and decreasing my foolishness; though the chains of condemnation have already been broken and the fears of death, judgment day, and the future have been sent packing— I’m still not as free as you intend. 

I’m still a babe, a neophyte, a raw rookie in so many gospel freedoms. Only the gospel helps me see and acknowledge these things. Only your grace keeps me from going to shame and self contempt as I offer these prayers. 

Jesus, please free me so I can be less irritated, and less often, with fewer people. Please turn my hair trigger reactions into slower, wiser responses. Please help me to use fewer words and more listening when engaging others. Please unshackle me from the illusion of control and my commitment to a pain-free heart. 

Jesus, please liberate me from thinking about the next thing, so I can be present in the current moment. Please help me make better eye contact and heart connection with others. Please help me to be more intrigued with people I don’t know and less timid around strangers. 

Jesus, please break even more of the chains of my insecurities. Please free me from the grave clothes of feeling incompetent about important things in life. Please unfetter me from thinking too much about what I’m not by showing me more of you and who I am in you. 

Jesus, please free me for greater spontaneity, louder laughter, saltier tears, and quicker repentances. I pray in your most compassionate name.

Amen. 

A Prayer for Loving God Just Because He’s God  

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
(Job 1:9–11 NIV)  

Gracious Father, I sometimes wonder if Satan watches American religious television, because there’s a lot there to fuel his accusations. Much of it could substantiate his charge that the only reason we love you is because of the goodies you give us. 

It’s hard not to be cynical, but I’ve got to be careful, because as far as creature comforts go, I don’t have anything “whine worthy” going on. There’s nothing right now presenting a challenge to my faith. I’ve got good health; there’s more check left over at the end of the month; none of my family members are in crisis. Nothing beyond the normal fallenness and brokenness of life is happening around me or within me. 

Father, I presume on none of this kind providence. I take none of your good gifts for granted. It’s only by your grace that I don’t struggle with entitlement as much as I used to. The gospel has convinced me that everything I have comes from you (1 Cor. 4:7). 

So as I think today about Job’s story, it’s not with gritted teeth or clenched fists. But Satan’s question always remains current: Why do we love you? What’s our motivation for worshiping you? How will I think about you the next time I suffer loss, betrayal, and pain? That, no doubt, will happen.

I want to be a man who loves and worships you simply because you are God. There’s no other god besides you, and there’s certainly no other god like you. I’m grateful for your gifts, but I want to love and worship you, the Giver, as the primary treasure of my heart. I pray in Jesus’ holy and loving name.

Amen.