A Prayer about the Gift of Prayer

by | Jan 25, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Prayer

A Prayer about the Gift of Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for the gift of prayer:

Not only have you invited us to share our innermost thoughts with you—

the sins and sorrows we don’t want to share with anyone else, 

but you have also invited us to share our prayer needs 

with other praying believers. 

You designed the body of Christ 

to pray for all sorts of things: 

for church growth and unity, 

for families and marriages, 

for work and play, 

for health and healing, 

for equality and justice.

Not only that, but you gave us your Spirit, 

who groans for us when we cannot find words 

to pray for ourselves or others (Romans 8:26). 

Not only that, but you gave us your Son 

to intercede on our behalf, 

to come as our Advocate, 

pleading your mercy upon us (Romans 8:24; Hebrews 7:25).

Father, may we understand this command 

to “pray without ceasing” as the gift it is; 

may we enjoy your surpassing kindness 

in calling us to pray, 

the most important work we will do this week. 

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Romans 8:24-26; Hebrews 7:25.

A Prayer about Our Inescapable God

by | Jan 23, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Our Inescapable God

All-seeing, All-knowing God,

I admit, there have been times in my life, when it both frightened and irritated me that I could not escape from your presence. 

Thankfully, I know now that you pursue us in our sin, 

seek us out in our hiding, to draw us back to you. 

You love us and you have redeemed us through 

the life, death, and resurrection 

of your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Today, let us sing with gratitude these words:

“You have searched me and known me!” 

And “You hem me in, behind and before, 

and lay your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:1, 5).

Thank you for searching us in order to save us. 

Indeed, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for [us]” (Psalm 139:6).

In the name of Christ our Savior. Amen.

Read Psalm 139:1-12.

A Prayer about Giving Thanks When It’s Hard

by | Jan 22, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Giving Thanks When It’s Hard

Good Father,

We confess that sometimes this command seems impossible to obey.

How do we give thanks 

when we feel immersed in the fallenness of this broken world, 

in our own sin, 

in the harm caused by others’ sin, 

in the pain and suffering of racism, unemployment, betrayal, mental illness, sickness, death…?

It helps to remember that the apostle Paul, 

by whose hand you scrawled these words, 

knew suffering: 

imprisonments, shipwreck, beatings, betrayal, poverty, mockery, and other miseries (2 Corinthians 11:24-29).

And yet, he was able to write these words:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; 

perplexed, but not driven to despair; 

persecuted, but not forsaken; 

struck down, but not destroyed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8).

What did Paul see that we need to see? 

He saw that as he suffered, 

more people saw the grace of Jesus Christ and more people saw your dazzling glory:

“For it is all for your sake, 

so that as grace extends to more and more people 

it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15).

Whether we are in a season of joy or affliction, 

may we give thanks with Paul—

your grace and glory are growing, 

in our lives, and in the lives of others.

In Jesus’ gracious name. Amen. 

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

A Prayer for Inauguration Day

by | Jan 20, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A prayer for Inauguration Day:

Almighty and Everlasting King,

We humbly bow before you today,

honoring you as the one true king

of the only kingdom that has already begun

and will last eternally.

Until the day comes when we live with our king

in the new heavens and the new earth

you have set us here as citizens of different countries of this earth

and you have clearly directed us to pray for our human leaders and authorities.

Oh how we long to live in a country with harmony and kindness,

where tranquillity reigns in “all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2).

As we in America inaugurate a new president today,

may we obey your command and pray for this man,

President Joe Biden, whether we voted for him or for someone else,

or whether we didn’t vote at all.

And may we continue to pray for all of our human authorities,

even as we long for the day when Christ our King

will return and establish his peaceful reign on this earth

forever and ever.

In the name of our one true King. Amen.

Read 2 Timothy 2:1-2; Revelation 20:1-5; Psalm 45:6; Psalm 145:13

A Prayer about Our One True King

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Our One True King

Mighty God, King over all the Earth:

We “clap [our] hands,” we shout to [you] with cries of joy,” (Psalm 47:1),

joining in the chorus of every nation and all peoples that bow down to you, 

proclaiming you to be,

“Awesome, the great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:1-2).

Lift our eyes well above the happenings on this earth to see 

your kingdom come, your will being done. 

Make us a part of that kingdom coming, 

as we honor, worship and live out the mission of love you have given us. 

Help us to remember and act on the gospel truth:

“The kings of the earth belong to God; 

he is greatly exalted” (Psalm 47:9).

In the name of King Jesus we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 47

A Prayer about the Feast We Will Enjoy

by | Jan 17, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Feast We Will Enjoy

Lord God,

As we gather for worship today, 

whether together or apart, 

remind us that we feast in anticipation 

of the day of the greatest feast, 

when we will live forever in the New Jerusalem, 

in “an untroubled habitation, an immovable tent, 

whose stakes will never be plucked up” (Isaiah 33:20). 

Even as we feast on your body and your blood today,

Draw our eyes to see that day of restoration, 

when all bodies, souls, minds, and hearts 

will be fully healed and whole, cleansed of all sin, 

relieved of all sorrow. 

In Jesus’ restoring name. Amen. 

Read Isaiah 33:17-24.