Everyday Prayers

A Prayer about Spirit Homicide  The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? (Prov. 18:14 NIV) 

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Ps. 34:18) 

But he was pierced for our transgressions, 
he was crushed for our iniquities; 
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, 
and by his wounds we are healed. (Isa. 53:5 NIV)  

Jesus, I begin this day filled with both great sadness and profound hope. The sadness is born from witnessing a parent commit “spirit homicide” on a child who couldn’t have been older than two or three. Walking through the store parking lot, I watched as an exasperated mom targeted her son’s spirit for crushing. I literally saw that little fellow shrivel under the weight of her impatience, harshness, and anger. The image lingers—maybe because I know what a crushed spirit feels like. 

In all fairness, I have no clue what was going on in that mom’s heart. I have no idea what preceded her cruel eruption, but nothing could justify or excuse her behavior— nothing. And in all honesty, I wanted to treat her just as harshly as she was treating her son. For a moment I was more angry at her than concerned for her son. I need your mercy as much as she does. 

That’s precisely where you come in, Jesus— where you come real close, for you are near to the brokenhearted and you save those who are crushed in spirit. This is why I also feel profound hope today, for you took the ultimate crushing of the cross that we might know your tear-wiping hand and a peace you alone can bring. Jesus, continue to heal those places, those wounds in my heart where I lost face and heart, where I simply went limp with shame. 

Again, Jesus, I don’t tower in judgment over this mom, but I stand convicted by her actions. All of us are just as capable and culpable of crushing the spirits of others— children, spouses, friends. Melt the madness of meanness with the grandeur of your grace. I pray in your near and healing name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about the Freedom of Being Completely Known  

Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah? (John 4:29 NIV)  

Jesus, I wish I could have been present to watch this stunned Samaritan woman re- count the tale of her collision with the gospel— her story of meeting you and com- ing alive to the transforming power of grace (John 4:1–42). Water from Jacob’s well was superseded by the water you alone can give, the living water that slakes our death-doling thirst. 

You exposed to her the sinfulness of her sequential affairs, yet instead of ridiculing her, you redeemed her; instead of condemning her, you cherished her; in- stead of shaming her, you saved her. 

En route to the nations, you brought the gospel of the kingdom to the dark continent of her heart. As she stood so vulnerable in the public square of her community, she’d never been so free. No more need to pose or pretend. I wonder if some of the six men with whom she’d been heard her proclaim, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:29 NIV).

Nothing but the gospel can free us for being thoroughly known without fear. Jesus, your love is unlike anything else we can experience in this life. In fact, your love is better than life itself. We adore and praise you this day as the Christ—the Messiah, our Lenten Lord, the heart knower, our holy lover, our righteousness from God, our only hope of glory! 

You know every vain, foolish, and evil thought we’ve ever conceived; every lustful, greedy fantasy in which we’ve engaged. Only you hear every grace-robbing, grandstanding, gossipy word we speak. Only you know the broken cisterns of our choices— our idols, the many things to which we turn to find life somewhere else than in you. Yet you pursue us, welcome us, and love us, and you are changing us.

What a wonderful, merciful Savior you are, Jesus. Life, temporal and eternal, can only be found in you. We joyfully pray in your transcendent and transforming name.

Amen. 

A Prayer for a Jesus-Centered Prayer Life  

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
(James 5:16 NIV)  

Dear Jesus, my prayer life, like many other parts of my discipleship, has suffered the damaging effects of bad teaching through the years. This one verse in James used to intimidate and discourage me from praying. First of all, I used to assume that the only “powerful and effective” prayer was one to which you said yes, and secondly, I thought the health of my prayer life was directly related to my maturity as a Christian. 

I thought that the more righteous I was, the more inclined you would be to answer my prayers, and if I wasn’t getting my prayers answered, it was probably be- cause of unconfessed sin in my life. What a horrible misunderstanding of prayer and self-centered approach to discipleship. No wonder it was easier for me to talk about you than to talk to you. 

Thankfully, the gospel has been deconstructing and rebuilding my prayer life. Jesus, I now understand that you are the “righteous man” whose prayers are powerful and effective. You are our great prayer warrior— ever living to pray for us and ever so graciously purifying our prayers as they rise to heaven. We don’t have any righteousness except the righteousness that we have freely received in the gospel. 

Because our lives are now hidden in you; because of our unbreakable union with you, Jesus; because our permanent address is “in Christ,” we’ve been set free to pray with palms-up boldness. You are the sovereign King who is reigning over all things, not a computer waiting to be programmed by us. You are our great bride groom who enjoys communing and fellowshiping with us in prayer, long before we even ask anything of you. Oh, the joy of knowing your good answers to our prayers include “Yes,” “No,” “Maybe,” “Not yet,” and “Not telling you”! 

Because the gospel is true, we will dance before you when you choose to release Peter from prison in answer to our prayers (Acts 12:5–17), and we will seek no less to delight in you when James is beheaded in prison, even as we plead otherwise (Acts 12:1–2). Throughout eternity our testimony will be, “You have done all things well.” Why pray? Because you are God and we are not. Why pray? Because you command it, commend it, and commune with us through it. We pray in your high- priestly and most trustworthy name.

Amen. 

A Prayer for Adorning the Gospel  

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. (Titus 2:9–10 NIV)  

Gracious Father, while jogging today I came upon your Son’s name in a recently poured sidewalk. “Jesus loves you” was scribbled in the cement with either a finger or a stick. The elder brother in me reared his ugly head, and I wanted to find the culprit and ask, “What were you thinking? You defaced private property, identified yourself as a Christian, and this is supposed to make the gospel attractive to nonbelievers?” 

But it didn’t take me long to move from being a self-appointed prosecuting attorney to a convicted son. For I realize you have every right to ask me, “What are you thinking when you and your friends carry on a conversation about me in a restaurant, then under tip your server? And what are you thinking when you drive like a madman on the interstate with a fish symbol on the back of your car? And what are you thinking when you overindulge in food and beverage and call it ‘Christian liberty’? And what are you thinking when you cop an attitude when lines, traffic, and service people don’t move fast enough for you?”

Father, the gospel is attractive all by itself. You’re not calling me to “spice it up,” put a bow on it, or add anything to it, for there’s no such need. I simply must be more careful not to hide its beauty by my foolishness and lack of manners. Continue to show me what it means to do all things in line with the truth of the gospel (Gal. 2:14). I pray in Jesus’ peerless name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Reservations Only by Grace  

God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. (Rom. 11:2–6)  

Holy Father, at least seventeen times a day I need to be reminded of how I got into your story of redemption and how I stay there. Occasionally I’m like Elijah, assuming I’m special because I’m one of the few who really “gets” the gospel—no longer bowing the knee to performance based spirituality, moralism, or legalism. At other times I know myself to be an idolater— not worshiping Baal, but worshiping almost anything or everything else— and wondering how I could possibly be yours. 

Then, like a rebuke or a kiss from heaven (depending on my attitude), I hear the Holy Spirit speak these words to my heart: “I have reserved for myself . . .” As in the days before Elijah, of Elijah, and long after Elijah, you’ve reserved and are preserving a much loved people for yourself. 

Many of them have Israeli passports, but most don’t. In fact, no nation or people group will be excluded from your family, so great is your covenant of grace. My only claim to being your son is the reservation you made for me by grace. “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace” (Rom. 11:6). If I’m not careful, I can even turn “getting the gospel” into a work— as though I were smart enough, hip enough, or spiritual enough to be a member of an elite gospel club. 

Father, because of past grace, present grace, and future grace, I want to live with bowed knees and palms up toward you. I seek to worship other things less by loving you more. I pray in Jesus’ exalted name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Friends Finishing Well  

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. (Heb. 3:12–14 NIV)  

Dear Jesus, I’m so grateful for the dear friends you’ve woven into my life. Since I’m an introvert, the journey of investing my heart in long-term relationships has required, and still requires, a lot of your grace—grace that you’ve been faithful to supply. 

I’ve already gripped the handle of a couple of friends’ caskets, and other friends will do the same for me one day. More than ever, I want us to finish well together in the gospel. What will this look like and what will it take, Jesus? 

My temptation is to treat my easiest friendships like a broken-in pair of Birkenstock sandals— I just enjoy them without much thought or effort. It’s a great gift to have a few friends who can finish each other’s sentences, endure one another’s jokes, appreciate each other’s quirks, and accept one another’s weaknesses. Surely this is a gospel gift. 

Yet, Jesus, we’re still foolish people, capable of acting out in very destructive ways, prone to wander, easy targets for temptation. With all of my being, I trust in the grip of your grace and the security of your bride. But your Word is so very clear that continuance in gospel faith is a sign of a real faith. That doesn’t scare me, but it does sober me. 

Help us know how to hold each other accountable for believing the gospel. Help us take each other’s heart struggles seriously. Help us never to minimize or marginalize the deceitfulness and hardening power of sin. Help us know how to preach the gospel to our own hearts daily, and to each other, until today gives way to the day of your longed-for return. I pray in your all glorious name.

Amen. 

A Prayer of Desire for Fresh Grace  

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spoke this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Mark 8:31–33)  

Jesus, one of the many things I cherish about the Bible is the way it robs me of my penchant for hero worship. Who but God would write a book documenting the foibles and failures of so many of his sons and daughters? Who but God would chronicle the ways his chosen leaders limp along and prove themselves to be in constant need of mercy and grace? 

This gives me great encouragement and hope. It also gives me freedom to acknowledge that I need the gospel today just as much as the first day I believed it. This will be just as true tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Keep me convinced, Jesus, because I’m much like Peter. 

It’s one thing for me to stress and stew about the ways this generation is distancing itself from your cross. But it’s quite another to see the subtle ways I try to keep you from the cross. Deal with me as you dealt with Peter.

When I mute my heart to the insult of grace, I deny your cross. When I think, even for one moment, that my obedience merits anything, I deny your cross. When I put others under the microscope and measure of performance based living, I deny your cross. When I wallow in self contempt and shame, I deny your cross. When I’d rather do penance than repent, I deny your cross. 

By the gospel, help me to mind the things of God more than the things of men. May your cross get bigger, and may my boast in it grow louder. Jesus, you’re the only hero in the Bible, and I’m fine with that. I pray in your patient and persistent name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Being Claimed by God’s Promises  

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from every- thing that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Cor. 7:1 NIV) 

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
(2 Pet. 1:4 NIV)  

Patient Father, the “farther up and further in” I go into the gospel, the more you challenge and change the way I think about everything. It’s another kind example of your commitment to complete the good work you’ve begun in your children and in the entire creation. At times this process is quite painful, but it’s always about more glory for you and more Christ likeness in us. We praise you for the perfection of your plan and the persistence of your heart. 

Recently I’ve been thinking about your promises, so generously and copiously given in your Word. I now see, and grieve, how as a young follower of Jesus, I was pretty much trained to be a computer programmer, and you were the computer. I acted as though you were passively waiting for me to tell you what to do. Your hands were bound by the limitations of my faith. All I had to do was “claim the promises” without negative thoughts or a wavering will, and you would spring to action. 

I confess and repent of my cynicism, but you know how long this way sounded really good to me. Thankfully, I now see that your promises are primarily about changing us, not programming you. Through your promises, we increasingly share in your divine nature— that is, you’re making us more and more like Jesus. By your promises, we can escape the corruption in the world, not simply accumulate more of its treasures. 

Father, every one of your promises directs our gaze away from us to Jesus, who is the ultimate “Yes!” to every promise you’ve made (2 Cor. 1:20). Oh, the difference the gospel makes in how we view all things. We don’t claim your promises— they claim us! If we’re going to “name and claim” anything, may it be to have greater passion for your glory. May our “standing on your promises” lead to living under your authority and serving well in your kingdom until Jesus returns. We pray in Jesus’ triumphant and transforming name.

Amen. 

A Prayer about Hearty, Gospel-Saturated Service  

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Col. 3:23–24)  

Jesus, I begin this day profoundly grateful for your relentless, never-ceasing work in my heart. You never sleep; you never slumber. You don’t just give me sleep but you give to me in my sleep. You’re the only reason that one day I will be free from all sin and as loving as you. 

Oh, the hope this gives me— the invigorating, liberating, consecrating hope this generates as I begin my day. It’s why this admonition from Paul feels more like a kiss than a kick today. I want to work more heartily at all things because of your finished work on the cross, your present work in the world, and your future work in the new heaven and new earth. Even in eternity you will shepherd us and lead us to springs of living water (Rev. 7:17). No one will ever out serve you, Jesus. 

Therefore, here’s my cry: continue to free me from doing anything for the approval of people, out of the fear of people, or to gain power over people. I work for you, Lord Jesus, not for mere men. 

Free me for doing all things as unto you: loving my wife without manipulation, doing my job without self-congratulation, and serving your people without unrealistic expectations, to name a few. 

How I praise you, Jesus, that the gospel is the end of any sense of a wage earning relationship with God. I work for you because you first worked for me. (What a humbling, staggering, and astonishing truth!) I serve you because you ever live to serve me, as my advocate and intercessor. Indeed, I love you because you first loved me and gave yourself as a propitiation for my sins. You are always first and last— the Alpha and the Omega. 

I’ll receive an inheritance only because of your work, not mine. And should I receive any rewards or crowns, they will be thrown at your feet, giving credit where credit is due. I pray in your quintessentially glorious name.

Amen. 

A Prayer in Praise of Jesus, the Perfect Savior  

Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Heb. 7:24–25 NIV)  

Gracious Jesus, driving into my home state recently, I came upon a billboard that pushed some buttons before it raised my palms. Just through the mountains of North Carolina, there it was, in bold, big, red letters: “Are You Saved?” 

I’ll be honest. My first response was, “What an uncool, cost ineffective, out of date, impersonal way to do evangelism. People who put up highway signs like that are clueless about the gospel. They’re usually legalists and moralists and have no idea about a theology of imputed righteousness. They’re culturally disengaged and don’t realize what a turnoff that kind of signage is.”

But then your Spirit gently disrupted my signage tirade with this thought: “You completely avoided the question. Are you saved?” 

I continued driving, but one palm went up anyway. For, indeed, I am saved, Jesus—unabashedly and unashamedly so. And there’s only one reason and there’s only one basis: I have come to God through you. You are the permanent priest who offered the perfect sacrifice for me, once and for all. You completed your work on the cross, and you will complete your work in me.

You live forever, and forever you live to thoroughly save me and your whole pan- national, trans generational bride. Your life and death were given in substitution for me, and now I wear your righteousness and enjoy your advocacy before the Father. Am I saved? Most definitely and most delightfully! 

I don’t have to like highway billboards, but may I never ever tire of responding to the question “Are you saved?” for there’s no question more humbling to me and honoring of you. I pray, Jesus, in your merciful and mighty-to-save name.

Amen.