A Prayer about Living in a Landscape of Loss

by | Oct 8, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Grief, Suffering

A Prayer about Living in a Landscape of Loss

These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33.

Merciful Lord,

Today we pray for all who find themselves living in a landscape of loss. 

Even as Hurricane Ian whipped through Cuba and Florida, 

wrecking homes and ripping away roofs, 

others are facing disaster in their lives: 

a body-wrecking diagnosis, 

the ripping apart of a marriage by an affair, 

the frequent flood of tears over a rebellious teenager. 

Lord, in a landscape of loss, 

in this world filled with tribulation, 

you make a startling promise: 

you have overcome the world. 

You tell us “Yes, you will suffer in this world, 

but in my world, 

my kingdom, 

which has already come and will soon be consummated,

you will never suffer again. 

Everything lost in the fall will be redeemed. 

For this reason, we can 

“be of good courage,” 

“take heart,” 

“not be afraid,” 

for you have indeed overcome the world 

by your death and resurrection. 

How we look forward to the day of renewal that awaits.

In your restoring name. Amen.

Read John 16. 

A Prayer about Praying the Goodness of God

by | Oct 7, 2022 | Daily Prayer, worship, gratitude

A Prayer about Praying the Goodness of God

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3

Lord, you are God, 

the all-powerful, faithfully loving, 

Creator of the Cosmos. 

You made us to be your “treasured possession,” 

and honestly, that blows our minds. 

Help us to see ourselves as you do—

as your beloved people, 

wayward sheep though we are, 

brought back to you by our great Shepherd.

[Name some characteristics of God that wow you and some reasons you are glad to belong to God.]

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, 

and his courts with praise! 

Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

Lord, we thank you and praise you for…

redeeming us from the pit, 

freeing us from sin that we thought would entangle us forever, 

for the places you have sent us to serve you — 

home, work, classroom, neighborhood, gym, soccer fields 

[Name some things you are thankful for and some places he has sent you to serve].

“For the Lord is good; 

his steadfast love endures forever, 

and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Lord, as we conclude this prayer, 

may we simply sit silently 

and ponder your goodness to us, 

your unwavering love for us, 

your faithfulness that has stretched through the generations.

[Try putting down your device and sitting in silence and remembering God’s goodness to you].

In Jesus’ redeeming name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 100.

A Prayer about Work, Wealth, Women, and Wisdom

by | Oct 6, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living, legacy

A Prayer about Work, Wealth, Women, and Wisdom

For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 11:4

Author God,

May we learn from Solomon:

We remember how you, 

the all-powerful King of the Universe, 

actually humbled yourself to offer Solomon anything he asked for: 

“Ask what I shall give you.” 

And Solomon, loving you, honoring you, 

humbly asked for “an understanding mind to govern my people” (1 Kings 3:5, 9). 

Solomon does show this wisdom for awhile, 

and he gets busy working to build you a temple. 

But then some cracks in his foundation become fissures, 

and before we know it, 

he has married 700 women 

who lead him to worship other gods (1 Kings 11:1-8). 

Lord, we want to cry out, 

“How could he,” 

but we know the truth, 

that whether it is work or wealth or women or wine 

or families or football or fashionable things—

we can take any good gift you give us 

and make it into a god we worship more than you. 

Merciful God,

we pray, show us the things that block us 

from loving you 

and following you 

and serving you 

and enjoying you. 

Thank you for giving us rest in Jesus. May we return to him today.

In Jesus’ kingly name. Amen.

Read 1 Kings 11.

A Prayer about Living in Faith, Hope, and Love

by | Oct 5, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Living in Faith, Hope, and Love

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Faithful Lord,

In a world that nags us, 

“You need more, 

to get more, 

to do more, 

to be more,”

help us to see that you have given us 

the “full assurance of faith,” 

your finished work for us on the cross. 

Now we can draw near to you 

with hearts relieved of guilt, 

for you have cleansed us from our sins (Heb. 10:22). 

In a world that makes us feel despair sometimes—

rising inflation, rising crime rates, rising poverty, 

we can “hold fast the confession of our hope,” 

not because we are so faithful, 

but because you are faithful, 

and you have promised your shalom 

will reign eternally. 

And because of the faith and hope you have given us, 

we can “consider” (be considerate) 

“how to stir one another to love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). 

Lord, let us not forget 

that you are coming soon, 

and as we remember, 

may we live out your faith, hope, and love 

in a world desperate to know good news. 

In your re-creating name. Amen.

Read Hebrews 10:19-39.

A Prayer about the Possibility of Entering God’s Kingdom

by | Oct 4, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about the Possibility of Entering God’s Kingdom

With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God. Mark 10:27

Christ our King,

In Mark 10:17-31, we read of a rich young man 

who truly seemed to want to know 

how to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17). 

He did seem a little proud of his moral accomplishments—

he told you he had kept all the commandments you named 

(not noticing you left out a few big ones!) (Mark 10:20). 

But there was one thing he couldn’t do. 

He couldn’t sell all his possessions and follow you. 

Jesus, help us to see you in this true story—

you “felt genuine love” for this man (Mark 10:21). 

You knew it is impossible 

but for the work of the Spirit 

for any of us to give up the things 

that we make gods 

instead of the One, true Living God. 

Whether it’s money or relationships 

or work or family or shopping, 

we tend to look to other things 

for security and significance. 

We were “dead in our trespasses,” (Ephesians 2:1), 

and if it weren’t for your death on the cross, 

none of us would be able to inherit eternal life. 

Thanks be to God for his rich mercy, 

for making “us alive together” with you (Ephesians 2:4-5). 

Because he did, it is possible to follow you. 

Because he did, it is possible for us to inherit eternal life.

In your saving name. Amen.

Read Mark 10:17-31.