A Prayer about the Temptation to Doubt God’s Love

by | Feb 22, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about the Temptation to Doubt God’s Love

Lord Jesus,

Thank you for enduring temptation for us.

You had been led to the wilderness by the Spirit. 

This forty days of fasting was planned. 

But that didn’t mean it was easy. 

You had just heard the voice of your Father saying, 

“You are my beloved Son; 

with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). 

Now the evil one, the accuser, Satan, 

knowing you are starving, 

tries to make you doubt God’s love for you, 

for after all, if you’re really the Son of God, 

why would you be out in the wilderness starving? 

Then he tempts you to use your divine power

to turn stones into bread. 

You resisted. You remembered. 

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’ 

The rest of the quotation from Deuteronomy 8:3 says, 

“but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” 

Thank you, Lord, for persevering, 

for enduring temptation for us. 

Help us to remember your Word, your assurance: 

because we are united to you, 

we can also resist the devil, 

that he may flee from us (James 4:7).

Read Luke 4:1-4.

A Prayer about How God Works in Our Work

by | Feb 21, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Work

A Prayer about How God Works in Our Work

Glorious God,

As this week begins 

and our minds turn to our work, 

return our minds to your wondrous works. 

Show us how you are working in our work, 

our work of changing diapers or changing sheets, 

our work of building Legos or building homes, 

our work of ministering the gospel or administering medications.

Whatever we do today, 

may we “glory in [your] holy name” 

and may we rejoice as we seek you. (Psalm 105:3).

When we feel weak and incompetent, 

show us your strength 

and surround us with your calming presence.

When the task before us seems impossible, 

remind us that you are the miracle-working God (Psalm 105:5).

In Jesus’ strong name. Amen.

Read Psalm 105:1-6.

A Prayer about What Is Trustworthy and True

by | Feb 20, 2022 | Church, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about What Is Trustworthy and True

Lord Jesus,

We do need to “Write this down, 

for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5).

Sadly, many people who say they know you 

teach and preach words that are not trustworthy and true. 

They tell people to “name it and claim it,” 

and they will be healed. 

As we read your trustworthy and true words, though, 

we see you make no such promises 

for healing to happen in our time in our way. 

What you do promise is that the day is coming 

when “the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations,” (Revelation 22:2),

when all broken things will be restored (Revelation 21:5). 

That day will come when you return, 

and we can’t wait. 

In that day, there will be full and forever healing 

unlike anything we’ve ever imagined. 

Help us to look to that day even in the worst days of this life.

In your redeeming and restoring name we ask. Amen. 

Read Revelation 21:1-5, 22:1-5. 

A Prayer about the Surpassing Peace of God

by | Feb 19, 2022 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Surpassing Peace of God

Peace-bringing God,

We have all been there, 

whether in the waiting room 

praying for a good surgical outcome

or in a living room 

hearing of a teenager’s struggle with addiction

or in a conference room 

wondering if we’re about to get the axe…

in short, in a place that induces fear and anxiety.

In such places, we desperately need to know 

your peace, “the peace of God.” 

What is it like?

It is your peace. 

It belongs to you, and it characterizes you. 

Would the God who created the universe 

ever be found wringing his hands over what-if’s? 

We don’t think so. 

You are the all-knowing and all-powerful

Creator and Ruler of the universe.

It’s also a peace that surpasses all understanding. 

It is a puzzling peace, 

a seemingly impossible peace given the situation.

Finally, it is a peace that comes 

from being “in Christ Jesus.” 

It is the saving peace of knowing 

our foundation is sure and unshakeable. 

Oh, Father, wherever we are today, 

grant us your surpassing peace.

In Jesus’ peace-bringing name. Amen.

Read Philippians 4:4-9.

Friends, this prayer is an excerpt from my devotional From Recovery to Restoration: 60 Meditations for Finding Peace & Hope in Crisis. If you or someone you know is in crisis, be sure to check it out. 

A Prayer Thanking God for Unanswered Prayers

by | Feb 18, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Prayer

A Prayer Thanking God for Unanswered Prayers

Good Father, 

I’ve been thinking a lot about prayers I prayed 

that you didn’t answer the way I wanted 

or prayers that you answered 

with those two hard words, “not yet.” 

For many of those answers, 

I am now so grateful:

Thank you for not getting me back together 

with that mean high school boyfriend,

Thank you for not letting us

get that house I wanted in my friends’ neighborhood,

Thank you for not giving me that full scholarship to college 

that seemed like a dream come true 

(because I might never have transferred to the college where I met my husband)…

[Name some “prayers answered differently” that you are thankful for].

I confess, God, there are some prayers I’ve prayed 

that are still answered “not yet” 

and prayers for which I didn’t honestly love your answer: 

The prayer that angels would protect my mother 

when she was sick with Covid.

The prayer that our children would be healthy.

[Name some “answered differently” prayers you’re not so sure about].

And yet, I cannot, I do not, doubt your love for me. 

I cannot, I do not, doubt you want the best for me. 

I do believe that you are a good Father 

who is working your best plan 

not only for my good 

but for the good of your kingdom. 

And I’m grateful to be part of that kingdom plan. 

Thank you for hearing our prayers.

In Jesus’ faithful name. Amen.

Read Matthew 6:5-15.

A Prayer about Praying for the Kingdom to Come

by | Feb 17, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living, Prayer

A Prayer about Praying for the Kingdom to Come

Heavenly Father,

Forgive us for ever mumbling this prayer by rote, 

not really thinking about what we are asking for.

The fact is, this is a radical prayer. 

It is a prayer you invite us to pray daily. 

It is a prayer for when a marriage falls apart, 

for when a global pandemic destroys our business, 

for when a house is under water after a flood. 

When we pray this prayer, 

we remember whose kingdom we’re seeking—yours. 

You are a God characterized by “holy stubbornness,” 

a “refusal to accept ruin.”* 

You are the God who repaired broken creation 

by becoming man and dying on a cross. 

Your kingdom is characterized by shalom, 

universal flourishing, “heavenly wholeness.”*

Your kingdom is the kingdom 

that opposes the kingdom of darkness. 

To pray “your kingdom come” 

is to ask Jesus to defeat the destroyer’s efforts today. 

To pray “your kingdom come” 

is to repent of our tendencies 

to create small kingdoms by placing ourselves, 

our loved ones, our work, our homes, 

or any other thing we see as ours, 

on the throne of our lives. 

Indeed, Lord, your kingdom come.

In Jesus’ coming name. Amen.

Read Matthew 6:7-15.

*Quotes from Nathan Bierma’s great book, Bringing Heaven down to Earth