A Prayer for the Kind of Strength We Need

by | Jun 11, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Prayer

A Prayer for the Kind of Strength We Need

Father God, 

Thank you for this comprehensive prayer 

Paul prayed for his friends the Ephesians. 

Today, we pray it for our loved ones and for ourselves:

Out of your glorious riches — 

your riches aren’t earned, 

nor are they corrupt, 

nor are they self-serving — 

they are glorious and generous and plentiful 

to provide all of our needs…

May you strengthen [insert name of loved one or your name] 

with your power — 

your power, which is perfectly wielded 

for the weak and needy (that’s us and others) 

to make us strong — 

not Ford tough or Chevy strong— 

but strong in our “inner being,” 

strong in your Spirit’s power, 

not our own. 

As you strengthen us 

by your Spirit, 

may [name of loved one’s] heart 

come to rest 

in the life-changing reality 

that Christ, our King and Savior, dwells in our hearts. 

In the name of our heart-dwelling Savior, Jesus, we pray.

Amen. 

Read Ephesians 3:14-21. 

A Prayer about Trustworthy Promises

by | Jun 10, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection

A Prayer about Trustworthy Promises

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 Being the Baby Bird

by | Jun 5, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Being the Baby Bird

Creator of All Good Things,

Thank you for giving me a close-up view of a cardinal couple 

building a nest, incubating the eggs, 

and hatching two little baby birds over the past few weeks.

One day I snuck a picture of the baby birds, 

mouths wide open, 

cheeping away as they awaited their morning feast of juicy insects.

Lord, remind us of how much we are like baby birds, 

utterly dependent on you for our nourishment of grace. 

You are the God who dropped manna from the sky 

to feed your people in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4). 

You are the Jesus who broke the bread 

and shared it with his disciples, saying, 

“Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). 

You are the Spirit who grows us 

through the Word and prayer. 

One day the baby birds will grow stronger, 

take wing, and fly. 

We too will grow stronger, 

but unlike the birds, 

we will never outgrow 

our complete dependence on you 

and our need for the nourishment of your grace. 

Gratefully we pray,

In Jesus’ life-giving name. Amen.

Read Matthew 26:26-29; Deuteronomy 8:1-10; Hebrews 4:12.

A Prayer about Praying Boldly

by | Jun 3, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Prayer

A Prayer about Praying Boldly

Holy Spirit,

As you did with the early disciples 

when they were faced with persecution:

Fill us with your power 

and shake us out of our safe, status quo prayers. 

Sharpen the focus of our prayers—

that we might share the good news: 

Jesus has come to save his people!

far and wide, moment by moment. 

Embolden our prayers—

that you, the Holy God would do 

“signs and wonders” 

in the “name of his holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:30).

Strengthen us through our prayers—

that we might become bolder and wiser 

in the way we speak your Word. 

In the holy name of Jesus we ask. Amen. 

Read Acts 4:23-31. 

A Prayer about Our Rescue in Distress

by | Jun 2, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Our Rescue in Distress

Lord of Angel Armies,

When we are hard-pressed on every side (2 Cor. 4:8-12), 

may we cry out to you.

With you on our side, 

whom shall we fear (Psalm 118:6)?

With you as our helper, 

what can man do to us (Psalm 118:6-7)?

With you as our refuge, 

what human would we trust in (Psalm 118:8)?

When we feel utterly defeated by human foes, 

may we remember that the evil one, 

who hates us fiercely, 

has already succumbed to defeat 

by Christ our Savior. (Psalm 118:7). 

In the name of our friend Jesus we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 118:1-29.

A Prayer about Being Humbled by the Word

by | May 30, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Being Humbled by the Word

Merciful and Loving Jesus,

Thank you for your Word, 

a sword that stabs straight through 

our shields of blindness, 

exposing our sin. 

Thank you for the times our daily reading takes us, 

as it did me, 

to a story of the wedding guests who chose the seat of honor 

the day after we’ve chosen the place of honor for ourselves 

or we’ve put our agenda before others, 

or we’ve failed to consider others better than ourselves.

 [If you can think of a recent time when you put yourself first, confess that to the Lord.]

Thank you for your Word 

that not only exposes our sin 

but also invites us to humbly receive your forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

Thank you for your Word 

that transforms us so that 

we will begin to more naturally choose the lower place. 

We are humbled by your humility, 

grateful for your grace. 

In your forgiving name. Amen. 

Read Luke 14:7-11; Philippians 2:1-11.