A Prayer about Why God Sent His Son

by | Jan 10, 2023 | Christmas, Christmas, Daily Prayer, gratitude

A Prayer about Why God Sent His Son

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17

Heavenly Father,

In these early days after Christmas, 

may we not immerse ourselves in the whirl of the world 

so fully that we lose our wonder 

at the profoundly good news of the incarnation: 

From the beginning, 

even when his fingers were tiny 

and his sounds were infant coos, 

Jesus was born for one purpose: 

that we, that the whole cosmos, might be “born again” (John 3:3). 

“How shall that be,” the Jewish leader, Nicodemus, 

asks? 

Jesus explains in some of the better known words of the Word: 

“For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in him 

should not perish 

but should have eternal life” (John 3:16). 

This is the true gift of Christmas, 

but it gets even better. 

For all who have suffered the voices of contempt and condemnation, 

who have hung their heads in shame, 

you give more hope, 

“For God did not send his Son 

into the world to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). 

Oh, gracious and merciful Father, 

what good news this is! 

May we live and love out of it today and every day.

In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Read John 3:1-21. 

A Prayer about the Lord Who Delivers Us

by | Jan 9, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Grief, Suffering, worship, gratitude

A Prayer about the Lord Who Delivers Us

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7

Rescuing Lord, 

As we continue praying through Psalm 34, 

we see even more reasons to bless your name “at all times” 

as we prayed about yesterday: 

We were sprawled out on the sofa, 

choking on sobs 

of grief, of regret, 

of disappointment, of frustration, 

and you heard us. 

You heard us. 

And when you hear, you respond: 

you “saved [us] out of all of [our] troubles” (Psalm 34:6). 

Not some of our troubles. 

All of our troubles. 

You send your angel to “encamp” around us. 

We shouldn’t picture a chubby blond cherub 

or a pale-faced long-haired lady  

when we think angel. 

We should picture warrior of light, 

powerful, fearsome, 

mighty, messenger. 

And though Psalm 34 just mentions one angel, 

we should probably picture a whole army of angels 

setting up this camp around us 

to protect us, to deliver us. 

Yes, indeed, we do “taste and see that you are good!” 

And we do proclaim with David, 

“Blessed is the man [or woman] who takes refuge in you” (Psalm 34:8).

In Jesus’ delivering name we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 34:6-7; Matthew 28:2; Hebrews 13: 2; Daniel 10. 

A Prayer about Blessing the Lord at All Times

by | Jan 8, 2023 | Daily Prayer, gratitude, worship, gratitude

A Prayer about Blessing the Lord at All Times

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

Gracious Lord,

We join David today in proclaiming your goodness:

May we bless you at all times—

times when we’ve acted supremely foolish, 

times when we are crushed in spirit, 

times when we are lost and afraid, 

not just times when you’ve blessed us 

with a new car 

or a new boyfriend 

or a new job. 

In all times, 

may we share our uncontainable awe 

at your greatness.

For indeed, with David we can affirm, 

We sought you, and you answered us,

And delivered us from all our fears—

fears of being rejected by our friends or family, 

fears of illness and death, 

fears of being unimportant or irrelevant (Psalm 34:4).

As we take in your glory, 

something amazing happens—

our faces begin to radiate with your dazzling light, 

and where we would have previously hidden in shame, 

We now turn that fiery light outward, 

and shame shrivels and withers away. 

Oh, Lord, indeed, we bless your name. 

You have saved us from all our fear and shame.

In Jesus’ praiseworthy name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 34:1-5. 

A Prayer about the Day of No More Tears

by | Jan 7, 2023 | aging, dying, and death, Daily Prayer, Grief, kingdom living, Suffering

A Prayer about the Day of No More Tears

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Healing Lord,

Today we pray for all who have lost loved ones in the past year. 

We are camping out in the hope 

of the Day to come 

when there will be no more death, 

nor mourning, nor crying, 

nor pain. 

In these remarkable final chapters of your Word, 

you give us a glimpse of what that day will be like:

We will live in safety and our identity secure in you,

because you will dwell with us (Revelation 21:3).

We will see Jesus face to face, 

and his name will be engraved on our forehead (Revelation 22:4).

We will drink for free and we will drink freely 

from the river of the water of life. 

We will dine lavishly

 on the fruit of the tree of life (Revelation 21:6; 22:1).

We will marvel at your majesty, 

and we will long to serve you and no other (Revelation 22:3).

We will enjoy peaceful community 

of people from every tribe and tongue and nation (Revelation 21:4; 22:2).

There’s more, so much more, 

to that day 

which will last forever. 

We believe your promise, 

“Surely, I am coming soon,” 

and we cry in response, 

“Come, Lord Jesus.”

In your hope-giving name. Amen.

Read Revelation 21-22. 

A Prayer about Abounding in Hope and Joy

by | Jan 6, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Grief, Joy, Suffering

A Prayer about Abounding in Hope and Joy

May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and hope in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

God of Hope,

Thank you for the good news this verse offers:

You are the God of hope, 

and you are the one who fills us with all joy and hope.

Though first days back at work or school after the holidays 

may have filled us with dread or despair, 

though lonely days of missing friends and family 

who were with us this time last year

may have filled us with grief and sorrow, 

you are pouring joy and hope 

into our hearts as we believe, 

as we trust in the good news 

that Jesus Christ was born to redeem 

all sin, sorrow and suffering. 

We thank you that it’s not up to us 

to fill ourselves with hope, 

but by the immeasurable power 

and endless energy of the Holy Spirit, 

you are continuously pouring your hope 

into our hearts. 

Help us today to see and name 

all the reasons for our hope:

[Name some ways you see God of hope filling you with joy and hope in believing]. 

In Jesus’ hope-giving name. Amen.

Read Romans 15:8-13.