A Prayer about the One True King

by | Sep 18, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Theology

A Prayer about the One True King

King Jesus,

We admit, we in the Western world don’t understand much 

about kings and rulers and, really, your kind of politics.

After all, you are the King 

who created all things (can any other king in history say that?!), 

You created all things——

in heaven and on earth, 

visible and invisible, 

thrones and dominions 

and rulers and authorities 

(pause us to imagine the thrones you created 

and the dominions you granted, 

both those we have seen visibly in history 

and those that are not visible to us and are yet very real).

As we imagine other thrones and dominions and rulers and authorities, 

we may think of evil rulers 

like Nero or Hitler 

or Satan and his minions, “the prince of the power of the air.” 

Remind us that while you created them, 

you did not create them to be evil—

they chose commitment to self-rule 

over submission to your rule. 

And yet, though you created all things,

you chose submission to your Father’s rule 

over self-rule (Philippians 2:5).

Each and every day, we have a choice—

to serve you or to serve our own little fiefdoms.

By your grace, draw us to serve you as your ambassadors, 

because it is only in you 

that all things (everything that matters) hold together (Colossians 1:17). 

In your majestic name. Amen.

Read Colossians 1:15-23.

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A Prayer about Being Drawn to Jesus

by | Sep 16, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Being Drawn to Jesus

Father God,

As we confess the truth about the “unknown gods”

 we often worship (see yesterday’s prayer), 

turn our faces to see Jesus, 

to see you in Jesus. 

Unlike most human beings 

who are only made in your image, 

our Lord is the “exact imprint of your nature,” 

the one who radiates your glory 

and “upholds the universe 

by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3). 

Having died to purify us 

from our worship of unknown gods, 

he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, 

where he continues 

to reveal your beauty 

and grace and holiness to us (Hebrews 1:4). 

Draw us to our ascended Jesus 

as a moth to a flame, 

as a bee to a sunflower, 

that we may reflect your light 

and share your goodness 

with all who do not know you. 

In Jesus’ glorious name. Amen.

Read Hebrews 1:1-14.

A Prayer about Praying and Personalizing Scripture

by | Sep 14, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Prayer

A Prayer about Praying and Personalizing Scripture

Hi Friends,

Today we will pray part of Psalm 139, personalizing it as we do. I hope you try this—it can really remind us of how God is speaking to us and how we are speaking to God through Scripture and prayer. Wherever it says [name], just pray your name or the name of the person you are praying for. (If you want to change the pronouns, you can do that too!)

O Lord, 

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of [name’s] body

and knit [name] together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making [name] so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

You watched [name] as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

You saw [name] before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out

before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about [name], O God.

They cannot be numbered!

I can’t even count them;

they outnumber the grains of sand!

And when I wake up,

you are still with [name]!” (Psalm 139:13-18).

In Jesus’ creative name we pray. Amen.

If you like this exercise, try doing it with the entire Psalm 139. 

A Prayer about Banishing Cynicism

by | Sep 13, 2021 | Daily Prayer, gratitude

A Prayer about Banishing Cynicism

Creator King,

We confess, the cynicism of our age, 

“the negativity that only sees 

the worst of intentions 

behind the apparent good motives of others” (Frank Bruni), 

easily creeps into our hearts.

Under the influence of such cynicism, 

we join in the cries of the skeptics, 

we wear the scorn of the jaded. 

We think we know everything, 

and we brashly tap out our foolish thoughts.  

Banish such cynicism from our hearts and minds.

Sharpen our vision to see your handwriting in the universe—

your glory lovingly etched 

into a baby’s nose or a butterfly’s wings, 

your grace generously displayed 

in a dancer’s pirouette or a doodle’s welcome. 

Rekindle our wonder 

that you made us and loved us and saved us. 

In Jesus’ marvelous name. Amen. 

Read Romans 1:18-32.

A Prayer about Seeing God in Creation

by | Sep 12, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Seeing God in Creation

Majestic Creator,

In these sweet days of September, 

open our eyes and ears 

to hear your eloquent creation 

calling out to us.

Though marred by the fall 

and groaning for your return, 

the heavens still declare your glory, 

the skies always proclaim your handiwork (Psalm 19:1). 

The birds of the air and the lilies of the field 

have a message for us from you—

“I created you, and I will take care of you (Matthew 6:26-31). 

I laid the foundations of the earth, 

and I laid the foundations of faith in our hearts. 

I created the morning stars that sang together, 

and I formed the voices of the children of God 

that shout for joy” (Job 38:4-7). 

Oh,Creator God, we could go on and on, 

and I pray that we do, 

that we get outdoors today 

and take a good look at your creation. 

As we do, how can we keep from praising you 

for your majesty and mercy, 

your creativity and care?

In the name of creation’s Redeemer we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 19:1; Job 38; Matthew 6:26-31. 

A Prayer about Praying for the Church

by | Sep 10, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Learning Story, Prayer

A Prayer about Praying for the Church

Precious Lord,

We continue praying Ephesians 1:15-23 for our friends and for our churches.

We pray that every single saint (person set-apart in Christ) 

will “understand the incredible greatness 

of your power for us who believe in you” (Ephesians 1:19).

[Name ways you see or need to see God’s power to the church in these days].

Mighty God, you 

“raised Christ from the dead and seated him 

in the place of honor at your right hand” (Ephesians 1:20).

May we bow down to King Jesus 

far more than we bow down to our personal agendas.

May we remember and live in the reality 

that the church is Christ’s body—

“it is made full and complete by Christ, 

who fills all things everywhere with himself” (Ephesians 1:23),

and may we worship joyfully 

in anticipation of the day 

when there will be no more division in the church ever again. 

In Jesus’ reigning name. Amen. 

Read Ephesians 1:15-23.