A Prayer about the Possibility of Entering God’s Kingdom

by | Oct 14, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Possibility of Entering God’s Kingdom

Do you know how it’s possible to follow Christ? 

With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God. Mark 10:27

Christ our King,

In Mark 10:17-31, we read of a rich young man 

who truly seemed to want to know 

how to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17). 

He did seem a little proud of his moral accomplishments—

he told you he had kept all the commandments you named 

(not noticing you left out a few big ones!) (Mark 10:20). 

But there was one thing he couldn’t do. 

He couldn’t sell all his possessions and follow you. 

Jesus, help us to see you in this true story—

you “felt genuine love” for this man (Mark 10:21). 

You knew it is impossible 

but for the work of the Spirit 

for any of us to give up the things 

that we make gods 

instead of the One, true Living God. 

Whether it’s money or relationships 

or work or family or shopping

or food or drink, 

we tend to look to other things 

for security and significance. 

We were “dead in our trespasses,” (Ephesians 2:1), 

and if it weren’t for your death on the cross, 

none of us would be able to inherit eternal life. 

Thanks be to God for his rich mercy, 

for making “us alive together” with you (Ephesians 2:4-5). 

Because he did, it is possible to follow you. 

Because he did, it is possible for us to inherit eternal life.

In your saving name. Amen.

Read Mark 10:17-31. 

A Prayer about Where to Focus

by | Oct 13, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Where to Focus

Do you need help with focus?

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8

Lord Jesus,

Forgive us for wasting our time and our brain space 

with all sorts of 

“empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense” 

that fill the screens we gaze upon. 

We scroll and scroll, 

looking for the next new thing, 

some great idea, 

never realizing how many of the thoughts we consume 

come from “human thinking” 

or ”the spiritual powers of this world.” 

Draw our gaze instead to you, 

the One in whom God’s fullness dwells 

in a human body (Col. 1:19). 

As we look on you, 

may we see that if you dwell in us, 

if we call you Savior, 

we have been “buried with you in baptism,” 

and now we have been “raised with you 

through faith 

in the powerful working of God” (Col. 2:12). 

Because of this mind-boggling truth, 

we can walk freely, 

forgiven, 

in you, 

and we can live for you, 

loving you and loving others with all we do. 

That’s really the only reality 

we need to focus on today or any day. 

In your saving name. Amen. 

Read Colossians 2:1-23.

A Prayer about Being a Comfort to Ministry Leaders

by | Oct 12, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Being a Comfort to Ministry Leaders

Do we see our ministry leaders’ struggles?

Remember my chains. Colossians 3:18

Jesus, Great Shepherd of the Sheep,

As we read the apostle Paul’s closing instructions to the Colossians, 

we can’t miss his reminder, 

which he mentions twice, 

that he is in chains. 

He has told the Colossians 

the good news of the gospel: 

they have died with Christ, 

been raised with Christ, 

are rooted in Christ, 

and are hidden in Christ. 

Now they and we can live in peace, 

in tenderness, 

in mercy. 

Now he encourages them and us 

to pray. 

We must pray for all who are ministers of the gospel:

preachers, teachers, youth workers, 

children’s and women’s ministry directors. 

We pray that we would not in any way imprison them, 

that we would speak to them 

and about them 

as we are directed to speak to everyone—

wisely, graciously, kindly (Col. 4:5-6). 

May we be faithful brothers and sisters, 

people like Tychicus, Onesimus, and Aristarchus, 

comforting our ministry leaders 

in trying and bewildering times (Col. 4:7-11), 

working with our ministry leaders 

for the glory of the Kingdom of God (Col. 4:7-12). 

May we “pray earnestly” like Epaphras 

for the good of our church, 

asking God to help the whole church 

follow the will of God (Col. 4:12-13). 

And may we always remember their chains, 

remember that our ministry leaders 

suffer for the sake of the glory of God. 

In your shepherding name. Amen.

Read Colossians 4. 

A Prayer about Being United to Christ

by | Oct 11, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Being United to Christ

What does it mean to be united to Christ?

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Col. 3:3

Precious Jesus,

Please open the eyes of our hearts 

that we might understand all of the riches 

we have in our union with you, 

that we might live accordingly. 

Our old self has died, 

and with it, all of our slavery to sin—

we can be free of idolatry of every kind:

addiction to control or to crack, 

to work or to wasting time, 

to sexual immorality or to secret lusts.

We are raised with you, 

“holy and beloved” (3:1, 12), 

so we can put on compassion, 

letting others go first in a long line at the gas station, 

patiently waiting when our friend always runs fifteen minutes late, 

forgiving our co-worker for taking credit for our work, 

seeking to restore harmony with a roommate 

who never takes out the trash or does the dishes… (Col. 3:14).

Indeed, joined to you, 

we will “share in your sufferings” (Philippians 3:10), 

but because we are hidden in you, 

you will bear the brunt of those sufferings, 

as a pregnant mother does for the baby in her womb. 

Most wonderfully of all, 

because we are joined to you, 

we can never be separated from you. 

Gentle Jesus, may we indeed be thankful and peaceful. 

May we sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Col. 3:16-17)

 as we grasp this incredibly good news!

In your life-transforming name. Amen.

Read Colossians 3.

A Prayer about What to Pray For

by | Oct 10, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about What to Pray For

How do you know what to pray for?

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding… Colossians 1:9

 Heavenly Father,

Today we allow your Word to give voice to our prayers for particular people:

[Try inserting your name or a person’s name in this prayer]

We pray for [name], 

May they grow in spiritual wisdom, not wisdom of the world, 

so that they may be filled with the “knowledge of [your] will,” 

not merely knowledge about Calculus, or parenting, or the stock market.

With this knowledge and wisdom, 

may [name] “walk in a manner worthy of you,” 

always seeking to bring you glory and honor 

and to love others well. 

May [name] “bear fruit in every good work” 

even as they continue to know you more intimately 

and learn more about your goodness (Col. 1:10).

May [name] be strengthened with your power, 

not Powerade power or strong girl power, 

but the kind and humble power 

that comes from your glorious might.

May this glorious power strengthen [name] 

to endure suffering 

and to be patient in trials, 

that they may know the deep joy of your comfort. 

May [name] give you thanks all day every day 

for your forgiveness, 

for your redemption, 

and for calling them “saints in light,” 

In Christ’s delivering name. Amen.

Read Colossians 1:9-14.

A Prayer about the God Who Understands Mental Health

by | Oct 9, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the God Who Understands Mental Health

Do you believe that God cares about the health of your mind?

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Compassionate Father,

On this world mental health awareness day, 

we confess—

we don’t think about mental health the way you do.

Because you created us—

body, mind, and spirit, 

and because you know our inmost being, 

you understand mental affliction, 

and you care for those who suffer from it.

We confess, as Christians we have often believed 

that if we simply have enough faith, 

we will never struggle 

with anxiety, depression, 

PTSD, schizophrenia, 

dementia, or any other mental health disorder. 

Forgive us for making other Christians feel unworthy 

when they experience mental health struggles. 

Forgive us for judging other Christians 

who need medication to help them 

in their mental health struggles.

Help us, we pray, even when we don’t understand, 

to move close to the brokenhearted as Jesus did. 

Help us, we pray, to help our friends 

find the practical help they need 

in their affliction. 

Thank you for being our Great Physician 

who tends to our entire being. 

Thank you that you will one day heal all affliction 

and make us whole.

Amen. 

Read Psalm 34:17-18; Mark 5:1-20; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 9:36.

An excellent resource on this topic is by Dr. Matthew S. Stanford, Grace for the Afflicted.