A Prayer about How God Fills Us with Hope

by | Jan 8, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about How God Fills Us with Hope

God of hope,

Thank you for the good news this verse offers:

You are the God of hope,

and you are the one who fills us with all joy and hope.

Though first days back at work or school after the holidays

may have filled us with dread or despair,

though lonely days of missing friends and family

may have filled us with grief and sorrow,

though frightening images of citizens attacking the nation’s capitol 

may have filled us with horror or disgust,

you are pouring joy and hope into our hearts as we believe,

as we trust in the good news

that Jesus Christ was born to redeem

all sin, sorrow and suffering.

We thank you that it’s not up to us

to fill ourselves with hope,

but by the immeasurable power and endless energy of the Holy Spirit,

you are continuously pouring your hope into our hearts.

Help us today to see and name all the reasons for our hope:

[Name some ways you see God of hope filling you with joy and hope in believing].

In Jesus’ hope-giving name. Amen.

Read Romans 15:8-13.

A Prayer for Those Who Fight Disease

by | Jan 7, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer for Those Who Fight Disease

Almighty God,

We lift up friends, family, and strangers, 

any who are fighting COVID, cancer, or other dread diseases.

Bring rest to their bodies as they fight off destructive invaders

that seek to do them harm,

bring clarity to their minds as they face

a dizzying array of medical procedures and medicinal protocols,

bring hope to their hearts

as they fend off the despair

that can envelop us when our bodies languish.

As our friends and family must suffer alone in hospital rooms

due to COVID,

bring the soothing of your Spirit

and the comfort of your faithful presence.

Draw our eyes to see Jesus, the best doctor,

ministering his merciful healing

to bodies, minds, hearts, and souls.

In his healing name. Amen.

Read Psalm 107:1-21.

A Prayer about Seeing the Light

by | Jan 6, 2021 | Christmas, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Seeing the Light

Glorious God,

Though the twelfth day of Christmas has come and gone,

the defrocked trees lie dried and withered by the curb,

may we see the glory of Christ-with-us,

the good news that our light has come,

today and every day of this year.

Peel the scales from our eyes,

that we may see the light that has overcome the thick darkness,

your grace, and your glory,

your mercy and your kindness to us in Christ.

Indeed, may all “nations come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:3).

Open our eyes to see the great ingathering of your people,

“the sons …come from afar…the daughters carried on the hip…” (Isaiah 60:4).

Radiate our hearts with this good news today and every day.

In Jesus’ glorious name. Amen.

Read Isaiah 60:1-5.

A Prayer of Hope for Broken and Betrayed Hearts

by | Jan 5, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer of Hope for Broken and Betrayed Hearts

Lord God, 

Who among us has not shed tears like David 

over the agonizing betrayal of a friend turned enemy? 

I lift up my friends to you who cry out in bewilderment:

“For it is not an enemy who taunts me—

then I could bear it; 

it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—

then I could hide from him. 

But it is you, a man[woman], my equal, my companion, my familiar friend” (Psalm 55:12-13).

In such heart-rending seasons, 

give us the rest of the One who became your enemy that you might befriend us—

our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Empower our hearts to forgive as he forgave, 

for you know we don’t have the strength. 

In Jesus’ comforting name.Amen. 

Read Psalm 55. 

A Prayer for a Manic Monday

by | Jan 4, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer for a Manic Monday

Father,

I woke up with my eye twitching, 

a sure sign that my nervous system is in overdrive 

as I think of all the things I need to get done on this Monday.

Set my mind on things above, 

on your sovereign and sure reign 

over every plan and purpose in this cosmos, 

of which you are the Creator. 

For anyone feeling manic, whether literally or metaphorically, 

fix our minds firmly on Christ, who is our life, 

and on the day we will “appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).

In Jesus’ calming name. Amen.

Read Colossians 3:1-4.

A Prayer about Becoming Children of God

by | Jan 3, 2021 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Becoming Children of God

Abba Father,

On this second Sunday after Christmas, 

may we not lose the wonder 

at what you have done in the incarnation, 

the sending of your Son as a human baby, 

fully divine, fully human.

According to Paul, you sent Jesus at just the right time, 

and because he was born of woman, born under the law, 

he was able to redeem us from our slavery to sin,

Our powerlessness to fulfill your holy law of love. 

We marvel at this truth: Jesus, your sinless Son, 

“became sin,” that we “might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

And because he did, all who believe in him

have become your children.

Thank you, Father.

In Jesus’ redeeming name. Amen. 

Read Galatians 4:1-7.