A Prayer about the Perfect Father

by | Jun 14, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Perfect Father

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Good and Faithful Father,

On this day 

when some celebrate their earthly fathers 

while some grieve fathers who’ve left this earth 

and others long for the presence of a good father, 

we thank you that you are a better father even 

than this waiting father 

in the story of the lost sons (Luke 15:11-32).

You have run to us through your Son; 

you have embraced us by his death for our sins; 

you have robed us in Christ’s righteousness; 

you have kissed us and welcomed us home 

because of your extravagant grace.

On this Father’s Day on earth, 

let us remember that for those who belong to you, 

every day is Father’s Day, 

every day is a day to praise and thank you, 

our good and glorious Father. 

In your precious Son’s name. Amen.

Read Luke 15:11-32.



A Prayer about Daring to Hope for What We Cannot See

by | Jun 14, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Daring to Hope for What We Cannot See

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? Romans 8:24

Heavenly Father,

What profound hope we have 

because of our Savior’s 

sinless life, 

sacrificial death, 

secure resurrection, 

and sustaining ascension. 

It’s true, we can’t physically see this hope with our own eyes. 

It’s true, this hope isn’t like 

hoping it doesn’t rain on our parade, 

hoping the boss offers the promotion, 

or hoping the scan reveals “no evidence of disease.” 

This hope focuses on the future glory, 

yet to be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). 

This hope fixes itself in the redemption and adoption 

Jesus secured for us (Romans 8:23). 

This hope wrestles with present suffering 

realistically and patiently, 

neither denying the pain 

nor caving to cynicism (Romans 8:18). 

This hope helps us to wait with patience in earthly trials—

snarly traffic, 

airport delays, 

and long recoveries. 

This hope helps us to wait with patience 

for our forever future 

in the new heavens and new earth—

the day of no more pain, death, and tears (Revelation 21:4).  

Thank you, Father, for calling us to a hope that will surely save.

Read Romans 8:18-25.



A Prayer about the Occupied Throne

by | Jun 11, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Occupied Throne

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:13

Our Heavenly King,

We confess, 

Most of us have never never seen a throne in real life, 

and sometimes it’s hard to understand 

what it means that you’re sitting 

on the throne of heaven, 

right this very minute. 

Show us, we pray, 

that we might see you as our glorious King 

even as we wait for the day 

we will gather before your throne in person.

Because you are on the throne, 

we can wait for that day confidently, 

knowing that the day of judgment approaches

for evil rulers who seem to be winning over the world 

with their corrupt power. 

Because you are on the throne, 

we can wait peacefully, 

knowing that our King is seated on the throne, 

not pacing the floor wringing his hands in worry 

about the wretched state of the cosmos. 

Because you are on the throne, we can wait gratefully, 

seeing the King who suffered for us to make us his people. 

Because you are on the throne, we can wait worshipfully, 

bowing with all the saints of heaven 

before your occupied throne, 

singing the praise of our benevolent King.

In Jesus’ just and merciful name we pray. 

Amen.

Read Revelation 4-5.



A Prayer about Hospitality

by | Jun 10, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Hospitality

Where do you get that living water? John 4:11

Lord Jesus,

What a host you are! 

We confess, in our world, 

especially for those of us who live in the southern part of the U.S., 

we are confused about hospitality. 

We often think it’s all about 

cleaning up our homes, 

baking blueberry cobbler, 

and inviting people to dinner. 

And there’s nothing wrong with that. 

But help us to see your hospitality, 

your welcome of a stranger, 

in this beautiful and true story in John 4. 

You were weary and thirsty. 

You asked a Samaritan woman (an outcast in that culture) 

to give you a drink of water. 

She was shocked. 

And then you began talking with her 

about the living water you could offer her. 

She was curious. 

“Where do you get this living water?” 

Then, shockingly, you raised one of the topics 

we definitely are told 

not to discuss in polite dinner table conversation—

her sex life: 

“You have had five husbands, 

and the one you have now is not your husband” (John 4:18). 

But you didn’t say it to shame her. 

You said it to invite her to the truth: 

she needed you to give her the living water 

that would wash her sins away. 

She left her meeting with you 

thrilled, 

ecstatic, 

eager 

to invite her townspeople, 

people who had rejected her, 

to “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. 

Can this be the Christ?” (John 4:29). 

Lord, grow in us the kind of hospitality 

that invites those who rejected us 

to meet the One who can give them living water. 

Amen.

Read John 4:1-42. 



A Prayer about the Profound Peace God Gives

by | Jun 9, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Profound Peace God Gives

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

God of Peace,

When my kids were young, 

with four children in six years, 

sometimes all I wanted was a little peace and quiet. 

There’s nothing wrong with a little peace and quiet, 

but may we never forget that your peace 

is something far richer, far more wonderful.

Your peace, in Hebrew, is shalom, 

a state of “universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight.”* 

This shalom gives rise to wonder, awe, and joy, 

at the God who establishes it.

After Adam and Eve sinned, 

the world, and all who lived in it, 

fell into a state of disorder, 

a state of chaos, 

in which disease and division and dissension ruled the day. 

But you, the God of peace, 

sent Jesus, our Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), 

to give us peace with you (Romans 5:1). 

Because Jesus died for our sins, 

we who trust in him for salvation, 

are reconciled with you (Romans 5:10).

Now, united to Christ, 

we live in his legacy of peace, 

of wholeness, flourishing, and delight. 

And even as we are still troubled at times by this fallen world, 

we look forward to the day 

when Christ our peace will return 

to fully restore all peace. 

In that day, we will live forever in harmony 

with you and with others.

Thank you for being our peace 

today and every day until that day.

In Jesus’ peace-bringing name. Amen. 

Read John 14:25-27; Romans 16:20; Isaiah 26:3; Romans 5:1-11.

See Cornelius Plantinga’s book Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin for this quote on shalom and more about shalom.