A Prayer about Our Heavenly Potter

by | Nov 21, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Our Heavenly Potter

Heavenly Potter, 

Let us not miss the beauty and truth 

of the vivid image you gave Jeremiah. 

You showed him your mercy and kindness 

and determination 

to continue to shape your people 

into lovely and purposeful 

instruments of your peace and grace. 

Not only did you form us in the womb 

with beauty and usefulness 

to display your glory (Jeremiah 1:5), 

as we are misshapen by sin, 

you work in us by the power of the Spirit 

to continue to conform us to the image of your Son, 

our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Sometimes it takes being smushed up 

and thrown back on that potter’s wheel again, 

and that doesn’t usually feel good. 

But we can know that in all things, 

you are at work, 

graciously, lovingly, 

tenderly, and firmly 

refashioning our hearts (Romans 8:28). 

And we can look forward to the day 

that we will be like your Son, 

reflecting his radiance 

to you and to the broken world, 

as you created and designed us to do.

In Jesus’ shaping name. Amen. 

Read Jeremiah 18:1-12. 

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A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Helpers

by | Nov 19, 2021 | Caregiving, Daily Prayer

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Helpers

Lord Jesus,

Thank you for all of the helpers 

you give us in this life:

For friends who listen carefully 

but don’t rush to quick fixes or easy answers 

when we are struggling,

For medical personnel who have trained for years 

to heal all sorts of illness and injury,

For pastors and ministry leaders who often suffer attack 

even as they labor to bring gospel hope to the hurting, 

And most of all, we thank you for giving us 

the Helper who is always with us, 

our Counselor and Comforter, 

our Prayer Warrior and Defense Lawyer, 

our Transformer, 

the Holy Spirit.

May we walk in the Spirit’s assurance and hope 

today and every day.

Amen.

Read John 14:15-30.

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A Prayer about Calming and Quieting Our Souls

by | Nov 18, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Calming and Quieting Our Souls

Trustworthy Father,

How we all need 

the calm and quiet 

David speaks of. 

May our hearts not be “lifted up”—

that is, may we not be proud know-it-alls, 

May we not “occupy ourselves with things 

too great and marvelous”—

that is, may we not spend our energy 

trying to figure out things 

you haven’t chosen to reveal to us (Psalm 131:1). 

Instead, may our souls be quiet and calm, 

just like a baby full up on mother’s milk, 

just like a baby nestled in her mother’s arms. 

As we rest in you like a weaned child, 

we will discover what it truly means 

to “hope in the Lord 

from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 131: 3).

In Jesus’ peace-giving name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 131.

A Prayer about the Best Builder

by | Nov 17, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Best Builder

Faithful Architect,

Ground us in this reality 

like bricks in a cement foundation. 

So often, we invest time and money and energy 

into building our dreams, 

whether work or families or relationships, 

placing the blocks one on top of the other. 

Nothing wrong with working hard and dreaming big, 

but when we forget that you are 

the architect, contractor, builder, and interior designer, 

we might as well be one-year-olds 

fumbling around 

with our twelve-year-old sister’s skyscraper Lego set. 

Thank you for not only building your house in us 

on the firm foundation of Jesus our Savior and Lord, 

but for watching over it and protecting it. 

We praise you and thank you 

as the great architect and builder of our lives. 

In Jesus’ grounding name we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 127. 

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A Prayer about Getting Dressed for the Week

by | Nov 15, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Theology

A Prayer about Getting Dressed for the Week

Righteous Lord,

Every day we should consider 

how we dress for action, but as we start the week,

it’s especially helpful to remember our calling 

as Christ our King’s ambassadors, 

as ministers of reconciliation, 

and dress accordingly (2 Corinthians 5:19-20).

Keeping in mind that we are already 

clothed in Christ’s righteousness, 

may we discard any vestiges 

of “bitterness, rage, anger, 

harsh words, slander, and evil behavior” (Ephesians 4:31).

Instead, may we “be kind to each other, 

tender hearted, forgiving one another, 

just as God through Christ” forgave us (Ephesians 4:32).

As we make your appeal, may we make you appealing 

to all those who do not know your mercy and grace. 

By your Spirit, remind us moment by moment 

of our glorious calling and clothing in Christ.

In his transforming name. Amen. 

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. 

A Prayer about the Joyous Noise of Worship

by | Nov 14, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Joyous Noise of Worship

Lord God,

All over the cosmos this morning, 

not only people but your very creation 

will be making joyful noises, singing your praise:

According to Psalm 98, 

it might be appropriate to begin our worship services 

with a grand parade—

a loud marching band with trumpets and kazoos and clashing cymbals 

whipping up joyful noises before our King, the Lord (Psalm 98:6). 

The sea would chime in with its roaring; 

the rivers would clap their hands; 

the hills would sing for joy together, 

to celebrate the good news that you are the King of the cosmos, 

that you are judging the world with righteousness, 

and that you have made known your salvation (Psalm 98:7-9; Psalm 98:2).

Even people like me who can’t carry a tune in a bucket 

get to join in with our noisy joy! 

Thank you for this joyous worship, 

and that we get to be a part of it 

because of Christ our risen Lord!

Amen

Read Psalm 98.

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!