A Prayer about Denying Self

by | Feb 19, 2026 | Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about Denying Self

How do you feel about self-denial?

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

Lord Jesus,

It’s not very popular in our selfie culture 

to deny ourselves. 

We’re pretty committed 

to self-fulfillment, 

self-esteem, 

and self-promotion. 

Only by your marvelous grace 

and mighty Spirit 

can we be transformed. 

We long to follow you 

as children play follow-the-leader, 

never losing sight of you, 

doing what you do

(even if we don’t understand why you do it), 

venturing into the unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

In this season of Lent, 

lead us to learn how to say no 

to all the things we think we need 

for life and happiness. 

In this season of Lent, 

remind us of the great good news of the gospel— 

“in Christ,” 

we are fully empowered 

to deny ourselves 

and to follow you 

in your mission of redeeming your people 

for the sake of God’s glory. 

What a cause for rejoicing!

In your leading name. Amen.  

Read Mark 8:31-38.

A Prayer about Needing Salvation

by | Feb 18, 2026 | Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about Needing Salvation

What is your hope for salvation?

Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! Psalm 38:21-22 

Steadfastly-loving Lord,

We come to you again today, 

as we did yesterday, 

with David, mourning our own sin, 

seeing its ravaging effects 

on our hearts, souls, bodies, and minds. 

We waited for you, O Lord, 

and you answered us 

by sending your Son, 

our Savior (Psalm 38:15). 

We would be desperate 

if we did not know the hope we have in Jesus. 

Because he was forsaken on the cross, 

we will never be forsaken in our sin. 

We cry out to you with profound hope 

for forgiveness 

because you have already 

made haste to help us 

in Christ. 

Send us out to live and love 

in this great hope today and every day.

In Jesus’ forsaken name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 38.

A Prayer about Help for Our Sin

by | Feb 17, 2026 | Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about Help for Our Sin

Do you know you need help for your sin?

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation;

There is no health in my bones because of my sin. Psalm 38:3

Mighty and Merciful God,

Today, as many Christians began an intentional time 

of reflecting on our sins,

we prepare to celebrate 

the outrageously good news 

that our loving and beloved Savior

died and rose for those sins.

How appropriate then to join David 

in his mourning and anguish over his sin, 

as he cries out, 

“For my iniquities have gone over my head; 

like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me” (Psalm 38:4).

Lord, help us to see that without your love, 

shown to us in your Son our Savior, 

our beloved Bridegroom, 

we’d be sunk by our sin. 

Help us to smell 

the festering wounds of our own foolishness (Psalm 38:5). 

Help us to truly mourn over our sin, 

over the ways we have done harm to you and others. 

We are indeed “feeble and crushed,” just as David was (Psalm 38:8). 

But most of all, help us to collapse 

completely on your grace, 

crying out to you as David did, 

“O Lord, all my longing is before you; 

my sighing is not hidden from you,” 

knowing that because of Jesus, 

you have heard our cries, 

and you have indeed answered them (Psalm 38:9, 15). 

In Jesus’ loving name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 38.

A Prayer about Anticipating the Joys of Heaven

by | Feb 16, 2026 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Anticipating the Joys of Heaven

Are you looking forward to heaven?

My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Philippians 1:23

Heavenly Father,

We confess, some of the descriptions of heaven 

have made us think it would be boring. 

People with wings and robes 

floating around on clouds playing harps? Really?

Thankfully, not really!

Lord, help us to regain an understanding 

of what the Bible tells us about heaven. 

Here are just a few things we know:

First, the moment we die, 

angels will carry us to be with you, 

the triune God (see Luke 16:22; 2 Cor. 5:8).

Second, while we will not have bodies 

when we go to the “temporary” heaven, 

the intermediate state, 

we do not become angels, 

because angels are spirits 

created by you to be completely different from humans (Heb. 1:14). 

Third, one day, when Christ returns to establish the new heavens and the new earth, 

we will receive resurrection bodies. 

The angels will never have bodies, 

but by your grace, one day, 

we will have fully restored and redeemed bodies (1 Cor. 15:35-49). 

Fourth, Jesus described even the intermediate state as “Paradise,” 

telling the converted thief on the cross, 

“Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 22:43). 

Since Paradise also referred to the Garden of Eden, 

where your holy presence lived, 

we know that heaven gleams with your glory 

and is far nicer than Hawaii.

Fifth, and last for today but not forever 

because there’s so much more to say 

about the joys of heaven: 

St. Peter is not standing at the pearly gates with a clipboard 

deciding who gets in and who stays out. 

All who trust in Christ for forgiveness of sins 

will go to heaven: 

“Jesus said to her, 

‘I am the resurrection and the life. 

Whoever believes in me, though he die, 

yet shall he live, 

and everyone who lives and believes in me 

shall never die. 

Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

Yes, Lord, we believe this. 

Thank you for the joys of heaven we anticipate by your grace and mercy.

Amen.

A Prayer about Why We Make a Joyful Noise

by | Feb 15, 2026 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Why We Make a Joyful Noise

Have you made a joyful noise lately?

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing! Psalm 100:1

Joy-Giving Lord,

You know that I’m not a very good singer, 

but I sure do like to “make a joyful noise,” 

and I pray that would be true 

for all who join me in praise of your goodness 

this morning.

We make a joyful noise, 

serve you with gladness, 

and come into your presence with singing 

because you are God, 

because you made us, 

because we belong to you, 

because we are your people, 

and because we are your sheep (Psalm 100:3). 

[Name specific ways any one of these things makes you joyful or thankful].

We enter your gates with thanksgiving, 

your courts with praise, 

we bless your name, 

because you are good, 

your day-by-day 

moment-by-moment 

love 

endures for-ever, 

your covenantal commitment to us 

lasts until Jesus returns (Psalm 100:5).

[Name some specific ways his steadfast love and faithfulness to you encourages you today.]

In Jesus’ joy-full name. Amen.

Read Psalm 100. 

A Prayer about Praying for Moms of Young Children

by | Feb 14, 2026 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Praying for Moms of Young Children

Do you pray for moms of littles?

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Precious Father,

Today we lift up all of those moms 

of newborns, infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. 

You know how very weary they are, Lord. 

We ask that you would help their children sleep 

so they might sleep, 

and we pray these mamas could let go of worry 

so they can sleep 

when their children do. 

We ask that you would give them physical strength 

for all of the literal heavy lifting 

of bodies and car seats and strollers and groceries. 

Protect the bodies of these moms from harm 

as they carry so many heavy loads. 

And we ask that you would give them wisdom 

for all of the decisions they must make all day long: 

what to do if their newborn won’t feed, 

how to get their toddler to eat healthy food, 

how to help their pre-schooler learn her letters. 

Oh Lord, you know they need your wisdom! 

Most of all, Lord, we ask 

that you would give them rest for their souls. 

Comfort them and encourage them 

that as they lift their small children to you, 

they can rest, 

trusting you to care for these littles

far better than they ever will. 

Finally, Lord, we pray 

that you would make us 

instruments of compassion and care 

in these weary moms’ lives.

In Jesus’ caring name we ask.

Amen. 

Read Galatians 6:9-10; Colossians 1:9-14.