A Prayer about a Friend Who Loves at All Times

by | Sep 4, 2022 | Daily Prayer, gratitude, Marriage

A Prayer about a Friend Who Loves at All Times

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Jesus, Faithful Friend,

As my husband and I look forward to celebrating our fortieth anniversary,

we have thought frequently of dear friends, 

friends who loved us faithfully 

in different seasons of our marriage, 

friends who supported us by sometimes offering “faithful wounds” (Proverbs 27:6),

often by “sticking by us like family” (Proverbs 18:24). 

Friends have been there 

through serious illnesses, multiple surgeries, and mourning deep losses. 

Friends have prayed day after day for us 

when we couldn’t pray for ourselves. 

Friends have encouraged us 

when we weren’t encouraging one another, 

showing us the way to repent and forgive 

and begin again 

after conflicts that tore us apart. 

As persistent and kind and sacrificial 

as our friends have all been, 

none have done the one thing only you could do for us—

you laid down your life for us, 

because you called us your friends. 

How grateful we are, precious Jesus, 

for your friendship 

and for how you have shown us 

that friendship through our precious friends. 

May we grow to become friends like you. 

In your sacrificing name. Amen.

Read Proverbs 18:24; Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 27:6; John 15:12-17.

A Prayer about the Goodness of the Lord

by | Sep 3, 2022 | Daily Prayer, gratitude, Joy

A Prayer about the Goodness of the Lord

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

Good and Loving Lord,

Slow us down as we read Scripture, that we may see your glorious riches all over again.

Why do we give you thanks?

Because you are good. 

Pause us for a few moments to help us see 

what it means that you are good and that you are steadfastly loving. 

There are many things in this world we name “good,”—

that was a “good book,” 

a “good movie,” 

a “good game.” 

But these things are not like your goodness. 

Nothing compares to your goodness. 

You are holy, just, perfect, 

lovely, gracious, kind, 

wise, powerful, 

the measure of any and all goodness.

Not only that, but your “steadfast love endures forever.”

Your love is safe, secure, and everlasting.

It is there when we hurt a dear friend with sarcastic words,

It is there when we get canceled or condemned for our beliefs,

It is there when we fear a hurricane bearing down on us,

It is there when we wonder if our back will ever be free of pain,

It is there when we worry about rising prices and shrinking income…

In all things, may we remember…

You are good, 

and your love is certain and sure.

In Jesus’ good name. Amen.

Read Psalm 118.

A Prayer about Those Who Turn Away from Jesus

by | Sep 2, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, kingdom living, Leadership

A Prayer about Those Who Turn Away from Jesus

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. John 6:66

Heavenly Father,

This must be one of the saddest verses in all of Scripture. 

Not too long before this, 

Jesus had fed well over five thousand people 

with five loaves of bread and two fish (John 6:1-16). 

The next day, the crowd of people sought out Jesus, 

wanting them to feed them again, 

but he pointed out their true and desperate need for living bread: 

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. 

If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:51). 

Many of the more religious people were confused and disgruntled 

by Jesus’ words—

they were hungry and thirsty 

and just wanted Jesus to do more miracles. 

Sadly, they missed what we sometimes miss—

our deepest need is spiritual. 

We seek things of this earth 

to fill our hunger, our thirst, 

and yet, what we really need 

is what Jesus has already given: 

his blood shed for us, 

his body broken for us, 

and the new life that comes 

from dining on the bread of life (John 6:53-54). 

Father, we know that those who are truly in Christ 

will never turn away from him. 

For those who have turned away from Christ, 

we pray that by your Spirit, 

they will be drawn to return, 

to trust Christ alone 

to fill their hunger and thirst. 

In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Read John 6:22-71. 

A Prayer about How God Supplies Every Need

by | Sep 1, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, gratitude, Spiritual Growth, Suffering

A Prayer about How God Supplies Every Need

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Merciful God,

Thank you for your extravagant generosity to us. 

As we bring what we consider to be our needs 

before you today, 

may we trust that you will supply every need, 

not just one or two. 

We admit, sometimes we don’t understand 

why you don’t supply things we think we need—

like healing of our child’s illness 

or a long-desired spouse or child 

or a job that seemed just right. 

In those cases, 

turn our eyes upon your riches in glory—

the undeserved and over-the-top 

provision of glory in Christ Jesus. 

In him, we truly have everything we really need—

forgiveness of our sins past, present, and future, 

peace with you eternally, 

a meaningful kingdom life 

that has already begun 

and will continue forever. 

Help us to remember that

though you have already supplied those needs, 

you continue to supply daily, here-and-now needs, 

and you continue to invite us to bring our daily needs to you, 

because you are our generous Father. 

As we name those needs now, 

we pray “Thy will be done.” 

In Jesus’ glorious name. Amen. 

Read Philippians 4.

A Prayer about Hope in Dark Valleys

by | Jul 31, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection, Suffering

A Prayer about Hope in Dark Valleys

Even when I walk 

through the darkest valley, 

I will not be afraid, 

for you are close beside me. 

Your rod and your staff 

protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Lord, our Good Shepherd,

As we walk through dark valleys, 

valleys that feel like death, 

valleys that lead to death,

[Name some valleys you are currently walking through or have walked through.]

We will not be afraid,

[Name any fears you have felt.]

For you are close beside us.

[Name how you have known God’s presence with you.]

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort us.

[Name the protection from harm and the comfort in grief and pain you have known].

In the name of our comforting Shepherd, Jesus, we pray.

Amen. 

Read Psalm 23.