A Prayer about Thanking God for His Steadfast Love

by | Jul 23, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Thanking God for His Steadfast Love

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

God of gods, Lord of lords,

We give thanks to you, for you are good, 

and your steadfast love endures forever.

We give thanks for the great wonders you alone can do:

[Name aspects of creation you are thankful for today (sun, moon, sea, stars, etc.).]

for your steadfast love endures forever.

We give thanks to you for striking down oppressive enemies:

[Name some specific ways God has defeated enemies in your life: think in terms of worldly or systematic evil, your own sin, and the devil.]

for your steadfast love endures forever.

We give thanks to you for countless rescues:

[Name some ways God has rescued you throughout your life.]

for your steadfast love endures forever.

We give thanks to you for the inheritance you have given us:

[Name some of the many blessings you have, both material and spiritual.]

for your steadfast love endures forever.

We give thanks to you for your faithful provision:

[Name some ways God has provided for your needs, physical and spiritual.]

We give thanks to you, the God of heaven,

for your steadfast love endures forever.

In Jesus’ faithfully loving name. Amen.

Read Psalm 136.



A Prayer about Being in a Spiritual Battle

by | Jul 22, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Being in a Spiritual Battle

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor, so you will be able to resist the enemy in time of evil. Ephesians 6:13

Lord of Angel-Armies,

May we never forget or discount the spiritual battle 

that rages right here right now. 

The evil one prowls around like a lip-licking lion, 

drooling over our vulnerability and frailty. 

He is a liar, a tempter, an accuser, and an adversary. 

His minions serve him, 

seeking to deceive us into believing people we know we love are somehow unlovely, 

distract us from our mission to serve and glorify you, 

and degrade the dignity you have shaped into our image-bearing being. 

By the Holy Spirit, you have given us everything we need to defend ourselves 

against the accuser’s stratagems: 

the belt of truth, 

the breastplate of righteousness, 

the gospel slippers of peace, 

the shield of faith, 

the helmet of salvation, 

the sword of the Spirit. 

May we indeed arm ourselves 

against all the “cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Ephesians 6:12),

and resist the devil, that he may flee from us (James 4:7).

In Jesus’ peace-bringing name. Amen.

Read Ephesians 6:10-18.



A Prayer about Respecting the Aged

by | Jul 21, 2023 | aging, dying, and death, Daily Prayer, legacy

A Prayer about Respecting the Aged

Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the LORD. 

Leviticus 19:32

Eternal Lord,

We live in a culture that prefers agelessness, 

a culture that strives to remain eternally young. 

We live in an aging culture, 

where we see some who age graciously, 

and others who do not. 

In this season of the silver tsunami, 

may we obey your command 

to respect the aged. 

Forgive us for any harsh words 

spoken to aging parents 

out of frustration and fear—

words uttered out of 

concern about their driving when they shouldn’t,

impatience about their refusal to follow doctor’s orders, 

annoyance about their rejection of our offers of help. 

Replace our fears about their frailty 

with tender concern and honoring respect.

Help us to take the time to listen to their stories, 

asking them to tell us about the seasons of sorrow 

and seasons of joy they’ve endured and enjoyed. 

Help us to honor the wisdom of the aged (Job 12:12) 

and seek out their counsel 

on marriage and finances and work and children. 

Lord, slow us down 

so that we might truly respect the aged 

as you have called us to do.

In Jesus’ respect-full name. Amen.

Read Leviticus 19:32; Timothy 5:1-3; Job 12:12; 1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 23:22. 



A Prayer about Being Homesick for Heaven

by | Jul 20, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection

A Prayer about Being Homesick for Heaven

I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Philippians 1:23

Heavenly Father, 

Loosen our grip on this world. 

Make us more like Paul, 

torn between remaining on this earth 

and going to heaven to be with Jesus.

In a word, grow in us a “homesickness for heaven.”* 

Make us like the Scottish pastor Robert Bruce, 

who read Romans 8:38-39 aloud, 

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, 

nor angels nor rulers, 

nor things present nor things to come, 

nor powers, nor height, nor depth, 

nor anything else in all creation, 

will be able to separate us from the love of God 

in Christ Jesus our Lord,” 

And then told his daughter, 

“I have breakfasted with you, 

but I shall have supper 

with my Lord Jesus Christ this night.” 

Make us ready, Lord, 

to go and have supper with Jesus.

In his inviting name. Amen. 

Read Philippians 1:18-26; Romans 8:35-39. 

*Quote and story from Derek W. H. Thomas, Heaven on Earth: What the Bible Teaches about the Life to Come)



A Prayer about Becoming Aware of the Spirit

by | Jul 19, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Becoming Aware of the Spirit

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:31

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit,

Forgive us for failing to recognize 

and celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

We are like “the husband in a bad marriage, 

living under the same roof as his wife, 

making constant use of his wife’s services, 

but failing to communicate with her, 

to recognize her presence, 

or to celebrate his relationship with her.”*

And yet, you, Heavenly Father, 

have chosen to communicate your presence 

in the Holy Spirit, 

so much so that David prayed, 

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? 

Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7).

And you, Lord Jesus, 

emphasized the necessity of the Spirit’s saving, 

helping, 

guiding, 

teaching, 

enlightening, 

comforting 

work in the lives of your disciples, 

saying things like, 

“And I will ask the Father, 

and he will give you another Helper, 

to be with you forever, 

even the Spirit of truth…” (John 14:17).

Assuring us, the Helper, the Holy Spirit…

”will teach you all things 

and bring to your remembrance 

all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).

You, Holy Spirit, teach us 

and fill us 

and change us, 

and intercede for us, 

making us ever more like our Savior, Jesus.

Even now, may we take a moment 

to rest from our praying 

and meditate on 

the wonder and power 

of your indwelling presence in our lives.

Amen.

Read John 14-16.