A Prayer about Letting Go of Resentment

by | Jan 13, 2026 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Letting Go of Resentment

How do we let go of resentment?

Love…keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5

Gracious God,

This morning, a wise author* pointed out 

that we should read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

replacing the word love with God. 

Indeed, when I read “God keeps no record of wrongs,” 

your Spirit pricked my heart. 

Is it really true? 

Do you, who are patient and kind, 

perfectly loving, 

really not keep a record of our wrongs? 

Yes, according to Scripture, 

if we are in Christ, 

it is true! Romans 4 tells us, 

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, 

and whose sins are covered; 

blessed is the man 

against whom the Lord will not count his sin” (Romans 4:7-8). 

And in 2 Corinthians, 

“in Christ, 

God was reconciling the world to himself, 

not counting their trespasses against them…” (5:19). 

Oh gracious Father, 

show us anew how amazing your grace is, 

how wonderfully free we are in Christ. 

And by your grace, transform us. 

For who are we to keep a record of wrongs, 

to build up resentment, 

hard and crusty, 

if you, the Lord against whom we have sinned, 

do not do so because of the perfect sacrifice of your Son? 

Help us, Lord, we pray.

In Jesus’ transforming name. Amen.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Romans 4:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:19.

A Prayer about the Hope for Our Foolish Mouths

by | Jan 12, 2026 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Hope for Our Foolish Mouths

Have you ever spoken foolish words?

“A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.” Proverbs 18:6

Holy Father,

How kind, helpful, and hopeful are your rebukes. 

While I hope my praying friends have not been as foolish as I, 

the fact is that we are all at times guilty 

of taking “no pleasure in understanding” (Prov. 18:2). 

We confess, we love “expressing [our] opinions,” (Prov. 18:2) 

without pausing to hear and understand others’ thoughts and feelings. 

In Proverbs 18, your Spirit addresses this kind of folly, 

reminding us that “If one gives an answer before he (or she) hears, 

it is his (or her) folly and shame” (Prov. 18:13). 

Jesus, our Savior, 

we turn to you for deliverance 

from our sinful tongues, our foolish pride. 

You alone are the Wise Man, 

the Living Word who shapes our words 

so they become bubbling brooks of grace and mercy (See Prov. 18:4). 

As we follow you in the path of humility, 

we yield our right to be offended (See Prov. 18:19). 

And as we learn to listen before speaking, 

humble ourselves before expressing opinions, 

we become more like you—

people whose tongues bring life (See Prov. 18:21), 

people who are friends who stick closer 

than brothers and sisters. 

In Jesus’ saving name we pray. Amen.

Read Proverbs 18. 

A Prayer about the Lord Who Hears and Responds

by | Jan 11, 2026 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Lord Who Hears and Responds

Do you believe that God hears your prayers?

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7

Rescuing Lord, 

As we continue praying through Psalm 34, 

we see even more reasons to bless your name “at all times” 

as we prayed about yesterday: 

We were sprawled out on the sofa, 

choking on sobs 

of grief, of regret, 

of disappointment, 

of frustration, 

and you heard us. 

You heard us. 

And when you hear, you respond: 

you “saved [us] out of all of [our] troubles” (Psalm 34:6). 

Not some of our troubles. 

All of our troubles. 

You send your angel to “encamp” around us. 

We shouldn’t picture a chubby blond cherub 

or a pale-faced long-haired lady  

when we think angel. 

We should picture warrior of light, 

powerful, fearsome, 

mighty, messenger. 

And though Psalm 34 just mentions one angel, 

we should probably picture a whole army of angels 

setting up this camp around us 

to protect us, to deliver us. 

Yes, indeed, we do “taste and see that you are good!” 

And we do proclaim with David, 

“Blessed is the man [or woman] who takes refuge in you” (Psalm 34:8).

In Jesus’ delivering name we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 34:6-7; Matthew 28:2; Hebrews 13: 2; Daniel 10.

A Prayer about Blessing the Lord at All Times

by | Jan 10, 2026 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Blessing the Lord at All Times

Will you join me in blessing the Lord?

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

Gracious Lord,

We join David today in proclaiming your goodness:

May we bless you at all times—

times when we’ve acted supremely foolish, 

times when we are crushed in spirit, 

times when we are lost and afraid, 

not just times when you’ve blessed us 

with a new car 

or a new boyfriend 

or a new job. 

In all times, 

may we share our uncontainable awe 

at your greatness.

For indeed, with David we can affirm, 

We sought you, and you answered us,

And delivered us from all our fears—

fears of being rejected by our friends or family, 

fears of illness and death, 

fears of being unimportant or irrelevant (Psalm 34:4).

As we take in your glory, 

something amazing happens—

our faces begin to radiate with your dazzling light, 

and where we would have previously hidden in shame, 

We now turn that fiery light outward, 

and shame shrivels and withers away. 

Oh, Lord, indeed, we bless your name. 

You have saved us from all our fear and shame.

In Jesus’ praiseworthy name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 34:1-5. 

A Prayer about the Lord’s Guidance

by | Jan 9, 2026 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Lord’s Guidance

Where do you look for guidance?

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Psalm 73:24

Faithful Lord,

As we read Asaph’s words, 

we relate. 

He begins Psalm 73 confessing his envy of the wicked, 

who seem to prosper, 

their bodies “fat and sleek,” 

with no “trouble” as he and others face. 

And yet, as he confesses his envy and resentment, 

he remembers the riches he has in you: 

“You hold [our] right hand” (Ps. 73:23).

“You guide [us] with your counsel” (Ps. 73:24). 

We pause to consider what this means: 

You, 

the all-knowing, 

all-wise, 

all-powerful 

Creator of the Cosmos, 

guide us, steer us, shepherd us, 

with your counsel, wisdom, knowledge, power, and love.

“And afterward you will receive [us] to glory” (Ps. 73:24). 

Not, you “might” receive us to glory if we are good enough, 

but you “will” receive us, 

welcome us, embrace us, 

to glory: 

the state of beauty, perfect peace, 

rest, wholeness and flourishing—shalom. 

Oh Lord, what hope we have in your counsel. 

Keep our eyes firmly fixed on you 

and on our hope in heaven and on earth 

as we plan for the new year. 

Turn our eyes away from others 

whom we might envy 

that we might see how near 

you have come to us in Christ, 

that we might “tell of all your works” (Ps. 73:28). 

Amen. 

Read Psalm 73.

A Prayer about Needing to Lie Down

by | Jan 8, 2026 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Needing to Lie Down

Will you lie down and rest?

I will make you lie down in safety. Hosea 2:18

Protecting Father,

We confess, we resist lying down; we resist rest.

We’d rather, to change Spurgeon’s words around a little, 

sit up and worry than lie down in peace.

You know this about us, 

and that is why you “make us 

lie down in safety.” 

We are truly stubborn sheep, 

who you so kindly tend. 

You “make us lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2). 

We believe; help our unbelief.

Help us to trust 

that you will one day 

abolish the bow and the sword (Hosea 2:18).

Help us to know that we need not fear 

“sudden terror or the ruin of the wicked” (Prov. 3:25), 

so that we may lie down and not be afraid (Proverbs 3:24-25). 

Help us to believe that we are always safe “in Christ,” 

our true haven and home, 

where nothing can separate us from your love.

Help us to remember 

that while we are subject to 

“tribulation, distress, 

persecution, famine, 

nakedness, danger,  and sword” (Romans 8:35)

in this world, 

the day is soon coming 

when we will be safe in the walls of the holy city, 

where no danger or threat can enter.

In Jesus’ protecting name. Amen. 

Read Hosea 2:18; Psalm 23:1-2; Proverbs 3:24-25; Romans 8:31-38.

*This prayer inspired by Charles Spurgeon, Promises of God, January 4. ​