A Prayer about Marriage and Intimacy

by | Nov 12, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Marriage

A Prayer about Marriage and Intimacy

Lord Jesus,

As we anticipate the full intimacy 

we will know with you and the Father and the Spirit

 in the day of the new heavens and the new earth, 

we pray for marriages. 

You created marriage to provide 

a tiny peephole of a glimpse 

into the intimacy you have designed us for. 

In this fallen world, marriage, 

even between two redeemed sinners, 

cannot fully image that oneness you intended. 

And yet, one day, you promise 

that every single person will “dwell with you forever,” 

and “see you face to face” (Revelation 21: 4; 22:4). 

In that day, there will be no need for marriage, 

because the intimacy you designed us for will be perfect. 

Until that day comes, 

bless those who are married 

with a love that relates without shame or contempt. 

Until that day comes, 

bless those who are single and long to be married 

with community that gives them 

a foretaste of the intimacy 

they will one day know eternally. 

In your perfectly loving name we pray. Amen. 

Read Revelation 21:1-5. 

A Prayer about Understanding God’s Timing

by | Nov 8, 2021 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about Understanding God’s Timing

All-Wise God, 

This is probably the most famous passage in Ecclesiastes 

to readers and non-readers of the Bible.

Enlighten us with your insight 

about this passage and about your timing. 

The Teacher who wrote these words 

seems to be frustrated by your timing: 

“What do people really get for all their hard work? 

I have seen the burden God has placed on us all” (Ecclesiastes 3:9-10). 

He sees that “”All go to one place. 

All are from dust, and to dust all return” (Ecclesiastes 3:20). 

Indeed, if this is all there is to life, 

then how “utterly meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). 

Thankfully, because of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, 

we who trust in him are living already 

in the eternity you have placed in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

Thankfully, because of our resurrection hope, 

we know that you are working in all times of our life, 

and that one day “soon,” 

we will dwell with you forever 

in a life multiplied by the meaning 

you wrote into your creation. 

Help us today to see your timing in all things. 

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-22. 

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!

A Prayer about Panting for God’s Word

by | Nov 7, 2021 | Bible study, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Panting for God’s Word

Righteous and Holy God,

We want the words of the Psalmist 

to be true of us: 

we want to long desperately for your commandments 

as dogs drool over their morning meal. 

We want to sing with the Psalmist: 

“Your testimonies are wonderful; 

therefore my soul keeps them” (Psalm 119:129). 

In our hearts, as we read your Word, 

we see your holiness and justice and your mercy and grace. 

And yet, we are often blinded by the darkness of our own sin, 

vision clouded by cataracts of fallen world living. 

Then we are like fools, 

stumbling around in darkness, 

forgetting to ask Alexa to turn on the lights. 

Then we desperately need “the unfolding of your words” 

to give us “light,” 

to “impart understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130).  

We sing with the Psalmist, 

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, 

as is your way with those who love your name” (Psalm 119: 132). 

In the name of our merciful Savior we ask. Amen.

Read Psalm 119:129-136.

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!

A Prayer about Asking God to Supply Our Needs

by | Nov 2, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Asking God to Supply Our Needs

Father God,

I’ve got several “I need you” songs stuck in my head this morning:

Annie Hawks’ “I Need Thee Every Hour” because indeed I do, 

every hour and every minute, 

and Matt Maher’s line, 

“You’re my one defense, my righteousness, oh how I need you.” 

Today, God, we draw near to you with every need, 

no matter how great or small, 

because you are the God who supplies “every” need 

according to your “riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). 

That should be enough riches to cover it!

[Praying friends, I’ll get us started and let you fill in your own specific needs and add to the ones I mention…]

I need you for strength today…

[after poor sleep last night].

I need you for patience today…

[when that crazy driver turns left in front of me with no warning].

I need you for calm today…

[when….]

I need you for forgiveness today…

[when…]

I need you for wisdom today…

[when…]

I need you for [….]

[when…]

Heavenly Father, as we lay our needs before you, may you provide in a way that we and others see your glory and goodness.

In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Read Philippians 4:1-20.

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!

A Prayer about Thanksgiving

by | Nov 1, 2021 | Daily Prayer, gratitude

A Prayer about Thanksgiving

Merciful Lord,

As we begin the month of November, 

it seems fitting to offer a prayer of thanksgiving. 

While in America, Thanksgiving Day is about 

celebrating the bravery and endurance of early settlers, 

our truest thanksgiving as settlers of your kingdom

 is about something so much more profound. 

We celebrate because we cried out to you 

in our “distress and anguish,”

when we were entangled in “the snares of death” (Psalm 116:3). 

You not only inclined your ear to us, 

you sent your Son to save us out of our misery, 

to deliver us from our bondage to sin and death. 

Not because we deserved it. 

Only because of your mercy and grace. 

Not only did you deliver us from death, 

you delivered “[our] eyes from tears, 

[our] feet from stumbling.” 

And now we will “walk before you 

in the land of the living” forever and ever (Psalm 116:9). 

Today and throughout this month, 

when we think of thanksgiving, 

may we think first of all the reasons we have 

to give you thanks. 

In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 116.

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!