A Prayer about the God Who Rules Everything

by | Feb 28, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about the God Who Rules Everything

Sovereign Lord,

We don’t use the word “sovereign” 

often in everyday American life. 

Sometimes we forget 

what it means—you rule!

Sometimes we forget that you are a good king, 

an all-knowing, all-loving, all-seeing king. 

Such a King can be trusted. 

You are no dark warlord 

ruling over your people with cruel force, 

but a kind Father who cares compassionately 

for your children (Matthew 10:29-31). 

You preserve and protect those in your care, 

and your will is for our good and for your glory. 

Your rulership is reason to rejoice and praise. 

Because we can trust in you, 

we need not be afraid. 

In Jesus’ protecting name. Amen. 

Read Matthew 10:29-31; Psalm 93:5; Psalm 97.

A Prayer about the God Who Hears Our Groans

by | Feb 27, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about the God Who Hears Our Groans

All-knowing God,

We are so grateful that we know 

that you know our very groanings. 

When you hear our groanings, 

whether over grief due to a loved one’s death 

or the suffering of mental illness 

or the sorrow over wars and strivings. 

We who belong to you know 

that you have rescued us already from the worst slavery, 

the slavery to sin and death. 

But you don’t stop there. 

You continue your redemptive work 

in this hurting world, 

all the way till our Savior returns 

to fully establish his kingdom of shalom 

right here on this groaning earth. 

We are so grateful—

you never never forget 

your covenant with your people, 

sealed through your Spirit, 

kept through your faithfulness in your Son. 

And we are so grateful—

as you remember, you rescue. 

In Jesus’ hope-bringing name. Amen.

Read Exodus 2.

A Prayer about the Gift of Children

by | Feb 26, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Parenting

A Prayer about the Gift of Children

Gracious Creator,

Even this week as I’ve stared in awe 

at the exquisite design of our newborn grandchild, 

a profound gift from you…

Even as I’ve marveled at this lovely creation 

you’ve so graciously brought forth 

through our daughter and son-in-law, 

I marvel at your kindness. 

Indeed, you chose to form the inward parts 

of every single child, 

to knit them together in a mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). 

And even as we thank you for giving us this child, 

we pray for the many many would-be moms and dads 

who have prayed for the gift of a child, any child. 

We ask that you would grace them 

with endurance and faith and hope 

as month after month and year after year go by 

with no fruit in their womb, 

with no offspring who is their own.

Show them your kindness 

even in the midst of such a painful wait. 

And Lord, for all of your extraordinary and precious children, 

we pray for safe, secure, loving homes. 

In Jesus’ child-loving name. Amen.

Read Psalm 127:3; Psalm 139:13-18

A Prayer about Suffering in the Body

by | Feb 25, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Suffering in the Body

Compassionate Lord,

Today we lift up, and we pray our prayers will truly lift up, 

those who are weighed down 

with the heavy burden of chronic illness or ongoing suffering 

in their bodies. 

Some have chronic pain that no medication can touch, 

some have seen doctor after doctor in efforts 

to find out why they feel terrible all the time. 

Others live with chronic depression or anxiety, 

still others have struggled with a barren womb 

or multiple miscarriages for years. 

Oh, good Father, may we pause for a moment 

and bring to mind people we know, 

whether friends, family, or acquaintances 

who suffer in their body. 

May we imagine what their days are like. 

Now we ask you, 

be so very near to them in all sorts of ways—

provide physical relief, 

provide hope through a new medical professional 

who really listens to them, 

provide comfort through our compassion.

As they struggle to believe that you truly are near, may we draw near to them, 

not with quick fixes 

but with long-suffering and listening hearts.

Save those who are crushed in spirit. 

Strengthen their faith, 

surround them with community who will believe on their behalf 

as they walk through (or feel they are stuck in) 

the dark valleys. 

By your Spirit, 

draw them near to you 

that they may see 

how you have come near to them 

in your Son’s suffering. 

In Jesus’ kind name we ask. Amen. 

Read Psalm 34:10-22; Psalm 22. 

A Prayer about the Temptation to Live by Sight

by | Feb 24, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about the Temptation to Live by Sight

Lord Jesus,

In our study of your temptation in the wilderness, 

we see how Satan tried the same things with you 

he tries with us. 

This time he encouraged you to test God, 

to demand a sign from God. 

Oh, Lord, do we ever do this? 

Do we ever want to live by sight rather than living by faith? 

We do. We are often tempted 

to base our beliefs about you 

on our experience or our feelings 

rather than on what your Word asserts is true. 

It’s easy to do when we get isolated, 

so we pray that we will stay firmly planted 

in our churches and Christian community. 

We pray that we will stay close to you, 

for “we do not have a great high priest 

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 

but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, 

yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). 

Thank you, Lord, for enduring the cross for us, 

that we might live in obedience 

to your perfect and glorious will.

Amen.

Read Luke 4:9-13.