A Prayer about the Guidance We Need

by | Feb 15, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Scripture

A Prayer about the Guidance We Need

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5

All-Wise God,

You know that every morning 

I look at my weather app 

to help me plan for my day—

how to dress, 

where to work out, 

when to walk my dog. 

So many of us seek guidance for life 

in little metal and glass boxes—

scanning the news headlines, 

scrolling through social media, 

seeking peace for our worries 

and guidance for living. 

Help us, Lord! 

Draw us to the truth 

that teaches and leads us 

to your holiness, kindness, 

and grace. 

Your Word instructs  sinners (Psalm 25:8); 

your Word shows us how to walk on your path, 

the path of “steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 25:10). 

Your Word teaches the humble your way (Psalm 25:9). 

Your Word shows us the way we should choose—

what to do about that problem at work, 

how to show our children love through discipline, 

who to ask about help with depression and anxiety…

Lord, you have already turned to us 

and been so very gracious to us 

through the Living Word, 

your Son, our Savior. 

May we find comfort in affliction 

and companionship in loneliness 

as we embrace your wonderful Word. 

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 25. 

A Prayer about Anticipating the Joys of Heaven

by | Feb 14, 2023 | aging, dying, and death, body, Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection

A Prayer about Anticipating the Joys of Heaven

My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Philippians 1:23

Heavenly Father,

We confess, some of the descriptions of heaven 

have made us think it would be boring. 

People with wings and robes 

floating around on clouds playing harps? Really?

Lord, help us to regain an understanding 

of what the Bible tells us about heaven. 

Here are just a few things we know:

First, the moment we die, 

angels will carry us to be with you, 

the triune God (see Luke 16:22; 2 Cor. 5:8).

Second, while we will not have bodies 

when we go to the “temporary” heaven, 

the intermediate state, 

we do not become angels, 

because angels are spirits 

created by you to be completely different from humans (Heb. 1:14). 

Third, one day, when Christ returns to establish the new heavens and the new earth, 

we will receive resurrection bodies. 

The angels will never have bodies, 

but by your grace, one day, 

we will have fully restored and redeemed bodies (1 Cor. 15:35-49). 

Fourth, Jesus described even the intermediate state as “Paradise,” 

telling the converted thief on the cross, 

“Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 22:43). 

Since Paradise also referred to the Garden of Eden, 

where your holy presence lived, 

we know that heaven gleams with your glory 

and is far nicer than Hawaii.

Fifth, and last for today but not forever 

because there’s so much more to say 

about the joys of heaven: 

St. Peter is not standing at the pearly gates with a clipboard 

deciding who gets in and who stays out. 

All who trust in Christ for forgiveness of sins 

will go to heaven: 

“Jesus said to her, 

‘I am the resurrection and the life. 

Whoever believes in me, though he die, 

yet shall he live, 

and everyone who lives and believes in me 

shall never die. 

Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

Yes, Lord, we believe this. 

Thank you for the joys of heaven we anticipate by your grace and mercy.

Amen.

Read Luke 16:22; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.

A Prayer about Never Being Rejected Again

by | Feb 13, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Marriage, Valentine's Day

A Prayer about Never Being Rejected Again

…you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you. Isaiah 43:3

Loving and Beloved Lord,

On the day set apart 

on the global calendar 

to celebrate human love, 

we recognize that it’s a hard day 

for many. 

Some endure the seemingly daily experience 

of rejection after a good date 

or ghosting after seeming connection over several dates. 

Others have been married for years 

but are lonely or bitter in that marriage,

sharing home but not heart. 

Oh Lord, how we thank you 

that your “steadfast love will not depart” from us (Isaiah 54:8-9); 

that because we are  your beloved children 

and your beloved bride, 

you will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). 

Not only that, 

but we are so precious to you 

that you sent your Son to redeem us, 

to bring us back to you (Isaiah 43:1-4). 

Oh, Lord, may we all share the love 

you have shown us 

with at least one lonely and lovelorn person today.

In Jesus’ faithful name. Amen.

Read Isaiah 54:10; Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 43:1-4. 

A Prayer about God’s Covenant of Peace

by | Feb 12, 2023 | Daily Prayer, gratitude, Spiritual Growth, Theology, worship, gratitude

A Prayer about God’s Covenant of Peace

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you… Isaiah 54:8-9

Promise-keeping Father,

In this world so set on strife, 

what a profound promise this is:

Even where there is utter chaos on this earth, 

your steadfast love shall never leave us, 

your “covenant of peace shall not be removed” (Isaiah 54:10).

We don’t use the word covenant 

often in our everyday conversations, 

but we should use it more 

when we think about you. 

Your covenant is 

your 

unwavering, 

unbreakable, 

undivided, 

unimaginable, 

and undeserved 

commitment 

to love us and deliver us 

from our worst selves, 

to give us peace with you 

and peace with one another. 

Why would you make such a covenant with us? 

The Bible is clear—

it’s not because we were so numerous 

or powerful 

or special—

it’s because of 

your steadfast love 

and your compassion. 

We thank you 

for keeping your promises to us. 

May we joyfully serve you 

in gratitude for your grace.

In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Read Isaiah 54:8-10; Deuteronomy 7:6-11.

A Prayer about the Love that Binds Us Together

by | Feb 11, 2023 | Church, Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about the Love that Binds Us Together

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6

Lover of our Soul,

This Sabbath day, as we celebrate your love 

for your Bride, the Church,

and our love and gratitude for saving us, 

we pray for your healing and help 

that we may love one another well. 

In the past several years,

we’ve seen more disharmony in the church 

than at any time in recent history. 

Forgive us. Help us and heal us. 

Our hope lies in you, 

the God of “endurance and encouragement” (Romans 15:7).

By your Spirit, transform us 

so we may live as your Bride, the Church, 

in harmony with one another, 

glorifying you (Romans 15:7-8).

One day soon, our perfect Bridegroom will return, 

and we will all celebrate 

at the greatest wedding feast ever enjoyed (Revelation 19:7).

By your grace, may we live and love 

in eager anticipation of that day, starting today.

Read Romans 15:1-7; Revelation 19:7; Ephesians 5:25-27.

A Prayer about Dysfunctional Families

by | Feb 10, 2023 | Daily Prayer, legacy, Parenting

A Prayer about Dysfunctional Families

So now, come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal ate him. Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams! Genesis 37:19

Author God,

Thank you for your Word 

which gives us hope 

that you can redeem 

even the worst of our sins 

against our families. 

Time after time, 

you supply true stories 

of fallen people, 

people you transformed, 

people through whom 

you accomplished your purposes.

In Genesis 37 we see Jacob, 

one of the fathers of many nations, 

showing favoritism to his son Joseph,

giving him a coveted coat of “many colors”.

Joseph doesn’t help matters 

by sharing a dream with his brothers 

about how he will one day rule over them.

His brothers seethe with resentment, 

so much so that they decide to kill Joseph

and tell their father he was eaten by an animal. 

Oh, Lord, have mercy on us. 

Show us that but for your transforming grace 

in Jesus Christ, 

this would be our end. 

We are like Jacob and Joseph and the brothers,

and yet, you have bought us with Christ’s blood, 

rescued us from certain death 

by your mercy. 

Thank you, Lord, 

for your goodness and grace.

In Jesus’ redeeming name. Amen. 

Read Genesis 37.