Living Story Blog
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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...
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...
A Prayer about Suffering with the Savior
Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword shall pierce your soul also)…Luke 2:34-35 Comforting Father, As this year draws to a close, I know many look forward to a new year, hoping that it...
Planning to Prepare a Legacy in 2023: Seven Steps to Reaching Your Legacy Goals
If you’ve been around this column for awhile, you know why I’m passionate about helping people prepare a practical and spiritual legacy: first, my father died in 2017, leaving very little guidance about his wishes despite the fact that he knew for 2 years that he had...
A Prayer about Jesus’ Tears
Jesus wept. John 11:35 Compassionate Lord, Even though the day most people exchange gifts has come and gone, or maybe especially because that day has come and gone, it’s a good time to contemplate this baby in the manger. Many of us love the Christmas lullaby ...
A Prayer about Joy in the Midst of Sadness
Celebrate joyfully in the Lord, all the time. I’ll say it again: Celebrate! Philippians 4:4 Lord, I love how theologian Tom Wright translates Philippians 4:4 and what he teaches us about joy in his advent devotional: Joy goes “hand in hand with hope: it doesn’t...
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Daily Prayers
A Prayer about the God Who Knows Us When We Don’t Know Ourselves
Do you ever feel like you don’t know yourself anymore? Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 Heavenly Father, Thank you for this assurance: we are fully known by you. In seasons of grief or uncertainty, ...
A Prayer about the Abundant Harvest to Come
Can you see the harvest to come? “…the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.” Psalm 65:13 Lord of the Harvest, In this season of harvest, May we join together with the hills and the...
A Prayer about Seeing Our Suffering Differently
How do you respond to suffering in your life? Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope Romans 5:3-4 Holy Father, Gracious King, Suffering Servant,...
A Prayer about Getting in the Back of the Line
How do you feel about humbling yourself? For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 18:14 Most High God, We confess, our sin puffs us up with pride. We are too often like the Pharisee in this story, ...
A Prayer about Not Being Forsaken
Have you ever felt forsaken? He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8 Faithful Father, In times that we feel forsaken, whether because of betrayal or abandonment or loss, may we remember, “It is the Lord who goes before [us],” ...
A Prayer about Why the Gospel Is Such Good News
Is the gospel good news to you? The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1 Good Father, Our world seems to be drawn to bad news, so much so that we can even watch it 24 hours a day on TV, on our phones, on our tablets. And yet, our souls...