A Prayer about Things Made New

by | Oct 14, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Things Made New

King Jesus,

As we lift our prayers to you today—

prayers for loved ones to heal from illness, 

prayers for spouses or children or financial provision, 

prayers for the end of racism, poverty, and wars—

tune our ears to hear your answer to our prayers:

“Behold, I am making all things new.”

Lord Jesus, first, you tell us to look.

 Where should we look? We should look at you, seated on the throne of heaven, 

ruling over all things. 

We shouldn’t look at the news or Facebook or TikTok 

to find the redemption of all things, 

because for the most part, 

those sources are going to showcase

the brokenness of all things.  

Lord Jesus, second, you tell us you “are making” all things new. 

Even if we don’t remember our grammar very well, 

we can probably recognize the continuing nature of this verb. 

You have already begun making all things new 

when you died on the cross, 

and you are continuing to make all things new 

until the day you return. 

Lord Jesus, third, you tell us you are making “all things” new,

not just our neighbor’s new car or our friend’s new boyfriend. 

You are at work, even when we can’t see it, 

making our lives, our stories, our hearts new. 

You have already begun, 

and you will complete that work 

on the day we see you face to face (2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6). 

Lord Jesus, fourth, you tell us you are making “all things new,” not “all new things.” 

You are not going to simply wipe out all of the broken places in our lives; 

you are going to redeem them for our good and your glory (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). 

Lord, because you have already heard our cries 

and begun answering our prayers, 

may we live with great hope today, 

and may we love others by going into a broken world 

to join you in making all things new. 

In your restoring name. Amen.

Read Revelation 21:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:28.

A Prayer about God’s Purpose and Plan

by | Oct 11, 2021 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about God’s Purpose and Plan

Lord,

It’s so humbling as I make plans for the week 

to meditate on your eternal purpose and plan:

Many of us make plans throughout our lives; 

many of us live with purpose; 

but not only have you made a plan, 

you’ve already “realized” that plan 

in Christ Jesus. 

Your purpose was to reconcile fallen sinners 

with your holy self 

through the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Your plan now is 

to make known this good news 

to people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. 

Your plan is to create a new humanity, 

people who love and worship Christ the King 

so fully that we love and care for one another faultlessly. 

You have already realized this plan in Jesus, 

and one day, we will see its completion.

Thank you for this good news as we begin our week.

In Jesus’ name.

A Prayer about Praying Lament Back to God

by | Oct 8, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Praying Lament Back to God

Today, we are praying one of the lament Psalms back to God. Maybe you are hurting, or maybe you know someone who is. Sometimes when we’re hurting, we are afraid to be honest with God. The Psalms of lament can help us know what to say in such a time. 

How long, O Lord? (Psalm 13:1)

Lord, it feels like we’ve been waiting forever for …

[Name what you have been waiting for: e.g. my husband to get a new job, our son to return to the Lord, a viable pregnancy…]

Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)

I hate to admit it, 

but sometimes I wonder if you have forgotten me. 

Sometimes, even though the Bible says 

“You are with me,” 

it feels like you’re hiding your face from me.

[Name how you feel forgotten or as if God is absent.]

How long must I take counsel 

in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? (Psalm 13:2)

Father, it just feels like the tears will never dry, 

the days of wanting to stay in bed will never end, 

the heartache will never be less intense.

Will you ever return joy to my heart?

[Name your sorrow and pain.]

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Lord, I don’t understand why you’re allowing evil people to have so much goodness in their lives. Why don’t other people see the truth about the person who betrayed and abused me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; 

light up my eyes,

 lest I sleep the sleep of death, 

lest my enemy say, 

“I have prevailed over him,” 

lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 

Lord, please send me a word, a verse, a sign, a friend that reminds me 

you will redeem this broken story 

[Name the broken story…

e.g. that you will rescue me from a destructive relationship, 

that you will heal my disease, 

that you will defeat the obstacles in the way of a healthy pregnancy 

or that you will help me be at peace with not having my own biological children….]

I feel like I’m going to die from the pain.

Lord, rescue again, so the enemy cannot say, “I’ve beaten her. I’ve won,” 

because we know in Christ that you have won the victory. 

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; 

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 

Lord, I know you. I’ve seen you rescue in my life; 

I know that Jesus died on the cross because you loved us so. 

I know that your love will sustain me. 

And because of your love that changes everything, 

I can at least rejoice 

because I am saved from sin and death, 

and one day I will live with you forever. 

I will sing to the Lord, 

because he has dealt bountifully with me.”

Even though I hurt so badly right now, 

I know that you have blessed me abundantly in Christ, 

and in my life, giving me so many good things — 

[Name some of the good things…

e.g. friends who love me, a faithful husband, wise doctors and nurses, a supportive church…] 

Thank you for all of the ways 

you have provided for me in the midst of this terrible time. 

In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 13.

Holy Father,

How can we be your children and yet deploy our words as wicked weapons?

How unlike our holy Father who delights in his precious image-bearers.

We confess, 

when we are not rooted in your steadfast love, 

immersed in your Word, 

we can so quickly and rashly 

wield words that wound others. 

Help us to spend some time 

thinking through our words, 

asking, “Are my words full of deadly poison? 

If I type this comment, 

send this email, 

make this remark, 

will it hurt someone’s feelings?

If I share this rant, 

could someone feel guilty 

or ashamed 

or angry

or sad?” 

Change us, Lord, 

conforming us to the image of your Son,

because we know that our tongue tendencies 

are deeply rooted in sinful selves. 

Only through the love 

of your Son, 

only through the transforming power 

of the Holy Spirit, 

can we learn to speak words 

of wisdom, truth, and kindness. 

In Jesus’ kind name. Amen.

Read James 3:1-12.

A Prayer about Making a Joyful Noise

by | Oct 6, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Joy

A Prayer about Making a Joyful Noise

Hi Friends,

Today and tomorrow, we are going to pray through Psalm 100. Praying through Scripture is a great way to fuel our prayers with the Spirit’s words. It’s fairly simple: we begin with the Scripture and pray whatever comes to mind. I will give examples for each verse, but feel free to simply say your own.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth (Psalm 100:1)! 

Lord, you know I’m not very musical, but I sure can make a joyful noise. 

I imagine it might sound a bit noisy 

in the new heavens 

with all the saints and angels 

and gorillas and giraffes 

shouting their praise. 

Today we make joyful noises 

about all the good gifts you have given us: 

our salvation, our work, our children…

[Name some of the good gifts you are thankful for]

Serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2)!

Lord, you are our Redeemer and our Master; 

we delight to serve you— 

help us to remember that we are serving you today 

in driving carpool, 

in talking with co-workers about a project, 

in going to Bible study, 

in teaching children, 

in coming alongside a hurting friend…

[Name some ways you might be called to serve the Lord today 

and pray that you will serve him with gladness]

Come into his presence with singing! (Psalm 100:2)

Lord, we are amazed that you invite us into your holy and glorious presence.

Not only that, you have given us your presence through your Holy Spirit. 

Not only that, but you are rejoicing over us with singing!

How could we not come into your presence singing and making joyful noises!

[You could also sing a favorite hymn or praise song here.]

In Jesus’ joy-filling name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 100. 

A Prayer about Our To-Be, To-Do, and To-Don’t Lists

by | Oct 4, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Our To-Be, To-Do, and To-Don’t Lists

Lord Jesus,

As our week begins, some of us are thinking of all the things we need to get done. 

Help us to think instead of all the ways we need to be this week because we belong to you. 

Shape our to-do lists according to the things you did: 

giving up your rights as God, 

humbling yourself “in obedience to God,” 

dying a “criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8).

Help us to hear you calling us to be like you:

Be encouraging, be comforting, be in fellowship with the Spirit. 

Be tender; be compassionate (Philippians 2:1).

Help us do what you would have us do: 

“Agree wholeheartedly with one another; 

love one another; 

work together with one mind and purpose” (Philippians 2:2).

And by the power of your Spirit, help us cross off the things on your “to-don’t” list:

”Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others….

don’t look out only for your own interests….” (Philippians 2:3).

In your humble and highly honored name. Amen. 

Read Philippians 2:1-11.

A Prayer about Help for the Falling

by | Sep 25, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Help for the Falling

Our Strength and Our Song,

You have become our salvation. 

When we’ve been surrounded by enemies on every side—

financial stress, caregiving exhaustion, 

troubled teens, sickness and death, 

our own sinful choices,

buzzing around us like angry bees, 

we were “pushed hard,” 

and we were falling. 

We might have landed in the chasm of despair, 

but you helped us. 

Because you are our salvation,

“We shall not die but shall live, 

and recount the deeds of the Lord” (Psalm 118:17).

You have indeed opened the gates of righteousness to us, 

that we may “enter through them, 

and give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 118: 19).

Today, we stand in awe of you, 

marveling at your rescue, 

singing with the saints,

“This is the day that the Lord has made; 

let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). 

In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Read Psalm 118:1-29. 

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