A Prayer about Our Hope in Heartache

by | Aug 17, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Our Hope in Heartache

Merciful Father,

Some days it feels like the news will break our hearts: 

the numbers of young Covid patients sick and dying, 

the tyrannical rule in Afghanistan and the torment inflicted, 

the ravaging of the beautiful land of Haiti. 

In the midst of such misery, 

we remember Isaiah’s promise to the rebellious Israelites, 

that a redeemer would come.

Through Isaiah, Jesus shared his mission: 

I have come…

“to bring good news to the poor…”

“to bind up the brokenhearted…”

“to proclaim liberty to the captives…” (Isaiah 61:1).

“to comfort all who mourn…”(Isaiah 61:2).

to “build up the ancient ruins,”

“to repair the ruined cities…” (Isaiah 61:4).

Everlasting King, your son has indeed come; 

he has indeed completed his mission 

to begin your kingdom here on this earth. 

He has left us as his ambassadors to bring new creation hope. 

Work in us today, 

whether through 

giving or going, 

praying or planning, 

to bring your surprising hope

into this broken but redeemed world. 

Until the day Jesus returns 

to complete your full and final restoration.

In Jesus’ redeeming name. Amen. 

Read Isaiah 61. 

Sign Up for the Organizing Your Life & Legacy Workshop

Create a legacy that will give you and your loved ones peace today and in the years to come.

Click Here

A Prayer Thanking the Lord for Lifting Us out of the Muck

by | Aug 14, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Scripture

A Prayer Thanking the Lord for Lifting Us out of the Muck

Redeeming Lord,

Help us, we pray, 

to wait patiently for you, 

to trust that you will again turn to us 

and hear our cry (Psalm 40:1).

We remember the days 

when our hearts 

were sunk and stuck

in the much

of our self-centeredness, 

self-righteousness, 

and self-servitude.

How grateful we are 

that you pulled us out 

of that miry darkness! 

In these hot days, 

as the mad blood is stirring (with a nod to Shakespeare), 

rescue us again! 

Set our feet 

upon the secure rock of your redemption. 

Set our hearts 

to singing new songs, 

songs of love and care for our neighbors, 

songs of service to our saving Lord. 

May we delight to do your will 

by sharing the “glad news of deliverance” 

not only with our lips but in our lives. 

In Jesus’ delivering name. Amen.

Read Psalm 40.

A Prayer about the Brevity and Eternity of Our Lives

by | Aug 13, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection

A Prayer about the Brevity and Eternity of Our Lives

Everlasting Father,

As we continue praying through this magnificent Psalm 

about your benefits, 

about how you work righteousness and justice in us, 

and about the eternal kingdom 

that has already begun for those in Christ, 

we thank you and praise you. 

First, thank you for this reminder about the length of our lives.

Sometimes, we confess, 

we get caught up in what we can see right before our eyes, 

we notice the supermarket mags pushing a superfood salad 

that prevents aging, 

we pay attention to pundits 

promising advancements in medicine 

that will extend our lives indefinitely. 

And while we are grateful for medical advancements

and discoveries about how to live a longer, healthy life, 

we also realize that the mortality rate is still 100 percent. 

Some of us are even more keenly aware 

of the fleeting nature of life 

as we’ve lost so many loved ones in the past year to Covid. 

And yet…David, the Psalmist, gives us hope:

“The steadfast love of the Lord 

is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him…” (Psalm 103:17);

“The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, 

and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).

Open our eyes, Lord, to see your everlasting kingdom, 

a kingdom of righteousness and justice and liberty and flourishing, 

a kingdom where no child ever dies of preventable disease, 

a kingdom where every person of every race, tribe, and nation 

will know honor and delight, 

a kingdom where all injustice will be eradicated 

and no mourning clothes will be needed. 

Today, and every day, Lord, 

may your kingdom come 

through your work in us. 

In Jesus ruling name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 103:15-22; Revelation 21:22-22:5.

A Prayer about Our Comfort in Grief

by | Aug 9, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection, Suffering

A Prayer about Our Comfort in Grief

[Hi friends, this prayer is based on Heidelberg Catechism Q. 1]

Dear Lord,

What a true comfort it is that in life and in death, 

in body and in soul, we belong to a faithful Savior, 

not just any savior, but a faithful One, 

who paid for our lives with his precious blood.

[Name your gratitude for how Jesus 

has rescued you from sin and slavery to the evil one].

Thank you for ruling over every detail of our lives, 

even the very hairs on our heads, 

and thank you for working all circumstances 

together for our salvation

[Name some circumstances you’ve seen him work together for salvation].

Thank you that your Spirit 

whispers firm assurances of eternal life 

and makes us “wholeheartedly willing and ready to live for you”.

[Name ways the Spirit has given you hope 

and empowered you to live for Christ].

In Jesus’ freeing name. Amen. 

Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Job 12:10; Acts 17:27-28.

A Prayer about the Church’s Great Calling

by | Aug 8, 2021 | Church, Daily Prayer, Learning Story

A Prayer about the Church’s Great Calling

Compassionate Lord,

I’ll never forget the scene in the waiting room 

before our son’s first brain surgery. 

Because he worked at a church leading worship, 

and because he had friends who were pastors elsewhere, 

he had four pastors visiting with him and praying with him 

before he went back for surgery. 

Another patient’s wife came over and asked 

if one of the pastors would pray for her husband. 

I’ve never forgotten the feeling of a church bearing our burdens 

when we we were “fainthearted” and “weak.”

Today, we pray for all of the lonely souls 

in waiting rooms and living rooms and locker rooms

who do not know the care of a loving church. 

We pray that we, the church, 

would seek out the weak and fainthearted 

and offer to bear their burdens. 

We pray that they would receive our invitation. 

Thank you for calling us to be 

your ambassadors of hope. 

We pray that we would fulfill this profound calling

in the power of the Holy Spirit 

and by the grace of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Amen.  

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22; Galatians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.

A Prayer about Trusting in God Alone

by | Aug 7, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Trusting in God Alone

Almighty and Merciful God,

Forgive us when we trust in “chariots”—

our own reputation or status, 

the number of followers or likes we have on social media, 

our position in the company or the church, 

the behavior of our kids, 

the kind of car we drive, 

or any other substitute we might trust in 

to gain security and significance. 

Unlike these idols, you answer us in the “day of trouble,” 

while the “chariots” we trust in

sit mute and frowning when we cry out. 

Thank you for the help you send from your sanctuary 

and the support from your holy kingdom.

Thank you for giving us our heart’s desire 

even when we don’t recognize it’s you. 

In the name of your saving Son, Jesus. Amen. 

Read Psalm 20.