A Prayer about Not Laboring in Vain

by | Apr 12, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Easter

A Prayer about Not Laboring in Vain

Heavenly Father,

This Monday morning, 

draw our eyes from the task lists before us 

to gaze on your heavenly presence.

Help us to frame all of our earthly labor 

in the context of our Lord’s resurrection from the dead. 

The apostle Paul tells us,

Christ’s victory over sin and death changes everything, 

empowering us to “be steadfast, immovable, 

always abounding in the work of the Lord, 

knowing that in the Lord 

your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

May we indeed live and love in this hope today and every day. 

In Jesus’ victorious name. Amen. 

Read 1 Corinthians 15.

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A Prayer about Praising God

by | Apr 11, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Easter

A Prayer about Praising God

Mighty and Majestic God,

As we gather together today, whether near or far, 

May we join with voices through the generations making joyful noises, 

proclaiming,

“You are a great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3).

“The sea is yours because you made it” (Psalm 95:5).

“The Lord reigns! 

Yes, the world is established,

 it shall never be moved; 

you will judge the peoples with equity” (Psalm 96:10).

As we sing your praises, 

may every sorrow and distress 

fade before the brilliance of your glorious presence.

In Jesus’ praiseworthy name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 95-96.

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A Prayer about Giving Thanks to Our Only God

by | Mar 2, 2021 | 40-Day Prayer, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Giving Thanks to Our Only God

Lord,

May we address you as this psalmist does:

Firmly, emphatically, declaring:

“You are my God,” 

not my children, my work, my dating life, my sports, my home, 

or any other thing on this earth 

that we sometimes serve and worship.

And oh, how thankful we are, with the psalmist, 

that you are our God, 

because you have rescued us 

“out of [our] distress and set [us] free” (Psalm 118:5). 

[Name some of the distress he rescued you out of.]

Because you sent your Son to us, we “extol” you—

we praise you, 

we talk about how great you are and how much we love you.

[Name some things you love about God.]

And then, like the psalmist, 

we turn to others and invite them into our praise:

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good…” 

because we know your praise 

was always intended to be sung in a chorus, not as a solo.

In Jesus’ steadfast name. Amen.

Read Psalm 118: 1-29.

A Prayer about Freeing Our Hearts

by | Feb 26, 2021 | 40-Day Prayer, Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Freeing Our Hearts

Lord Jesus, 

May we stop our scrolling for one minute to consider your merciful mission: 

When a bully taunts our child; 

when our child turns his heart away from you,

Our hearts break.

When trusted allies become enemies, 

when we act like enemies toward trusted allies,

Our hearts break.

[Add your own sentence or two about what breaks your heart.]

God sent you to bind up our broken hearts. Thank you.

When work consumes us; 

when we consume substances to numb us;

Our hearts are bound.

When pursuit of people’s approval drains us; 

when we cling too tightly to people to give us security,

Our hearts are bound.

[Name some ways your heart can be bound.]

God sent you to “proclaim liberty to the captives,” 

to open the prison “to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). 

Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace. 

We are so glad you completed your mission.

Draw us to seek you with our whole hearts.

In your healing name. Amen. 

Read Isaiah 61:1-4.

A Prayer about God’s Healing Work

by | Feb 13, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about God’s Healing Work

Great Physician,

It’s been just under a year

since America felt the first effects of the global pandemic: 

lockdowns and quarantines, masking and hand washing. 

Over 2 million people have died throughout the world 

from the dread COVID-19 virus; 

many continue to experience longterm effects. 

How grateful we are for the scientists and medical personnel 

who worked round the clock to develop vaccines 

that will ward off this grave illness.

How grateful we are for the tens of thousands

 of health care workers administering vaccines 

in all areas of the world. 

How grateful we are for the wisdom and expertise 

you have given us in this world to enjoy good health, 

to care well for the temple you created our bodies to be.

In your healing name we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 30.

A Prayer about Longing for Love

by | Feb 12, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Valentine's Day

A Prayer about Longing for Love

Loving Father,

Why is it that Valentine’s Day, 

a day that is meant to celebrate love, 

can make many people feel deeply unloved and profoundly alone?

I remember Valentine’s Days in middle and high school, 

longing so desperately to have the “cupid” 

call my name to come forward and collect a wilted carnation. 

I imagine many others have their own past memories 

and present moments of longings for love unrequited. 

May those deep longings for love, 

whether for the love of a parent, the love of a friend, or the love of a spouse, 

be met with your tenderness and compassion. 

May we all recognize that you created us for relationship, 

and that our longings for love are good. 

Where we are lonely, draw us near to your heart, 

and declare your delight over us. 

Not only that, transform our minds 

so that we truly believe you love us, 

even if you haven’t given us the love on this earth 

that we so dearly crave. 

Hold us tightly in your steadfast love, 

reminding us that you will never leave us nor forsake us. 

In Jesus’ tender name. Amen.

Read Psalm 73:26; Psalm 136.