A Prayer about the Fast God Chooses

by | Mar 2, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about the Fast God Chooses

Is this not the fast I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6

Holy Lord,

in this season before Easter, 

those who observe Lent may choose to fast. 

Whether we choose to fast or not, 

may we heed Isaiah’s call to true fasting. 

The Lord has no interest in showy fasting 

which has nothing to do with serving the Lord: 

“Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight 

and to hit with a wicked fist” (Isaiah 58:4). 

Instead, he calls us to true fasting, 

as Eugene Peterson puts it:

“This is the kind of fast day I’m after:

To break the chains of injustice,

Get rid of exploitation in the workplace,

Free the oppressed,

Cancel debts. 

What I’m interested in seeing you do is:

Sharing your food with the hungry,

Inviting the homeless poor into your homes,

Putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,

Being available to your own families” (Isaiah 58:6-7, The MSG).

Merciful God, in this season of global heartache,

redeem our fasting and redeem our non-fasting, 

May any sacrifice we make 

result in the light of Christ breaking forth 

in our lives in extending extraordinary love 

to our friends, neighbors, strangers, and enemies.

In Jesus’ transforming name. Amen.

A Prayer about God Doing Impossible Things

by | Mar 1, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about God Doing Impossible Things

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us… Ephesians 3:20

Almighty, Steadfastly Loving God,

How often we forget 

that we are praying to an all-mighty, all-loving God!

Because we are so weak in our faith and hope, 

Paul prays that we will have the strength 

to comprehend and contain 

“the breadth and length and height and depth” 

of the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:13).

You have already done 

“far more abundantly than we ask or think” 

by filling us with your fullness in the love of Christ. 

Now give us the power to imagine you 

working in the “impossibles” of our lives: 

impossible temptations, 

impossible relationships, 

impossible health struggles, 

impossible ceasefires. 

May we trust you 

with all of our impossibles

 and may you receive 

all of the glory in Christ 

for all of your goodness to us. 

In Jesus’ loving name we ask. Amen. 

Read Ephesians 3:14-21.

A Prayer about True Repentance

by | Feb 28, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about True Repentance

Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Matthew 3:2

Heavenly Father,

Sadly, some have stood on street corners 

screaming at us to repent, 

so much so that we cringe at the word. 

And yet, you call us to repent 

as a bright yellow road sign cautions, 

“Turn around. Danger ahead.” 

Repentance always begins with the good news: 

our Savior is coming; 

our Savior has come. 

It calls us to see the bad news—

we have all sinned and fall short of your glory (Romans 3:23). 

It generates deep grief, sorrow over the way 

we have overthrown you from the throne you should inhabit

and placed ourselves on the throne of our lives. 

Repentance bears fruit: 

“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, 

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22). 

And most importantly, the call to repent 

comes with the enabling power to repent—

the Holy Spirit works this change in us. 

In this season before Easter, 

make us intentional about receiving your invitation to repent. 

And may we see the lasting fruit in our lives.

In Jesus’ worthy name. Amen. 

Read Matthew 3:1-12.

A Prayer about the Good Shepherd

by | Feb 27, 2023 | Daily Prayer, gratitude, Lent

A Prayer about the Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

Good Shepherd,

We’re so glad that you know your sheep. 

You know everything about us—

you count every one 

of our wooly curls, 

you foresee every one 

of our mucky ruts, 

you right us every time 

we turn ourselves over. 

You have saved us from the thief 

who came to kill and steal and destroy (John 10:10). 

Without you, we were harassed and helpless, 

like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36),

 but you heard our bleating cries 

and came to save us. 

Thank you for attuning us 

to your firm but tender voice,

for teaching us to heed 

your gracious guidance. 

Most of all, thank you for becoming 

the sacrificial sheep for us, 

for laying down your life

that we might fully know you 

and fully know our Father. 

In your good shepherding name 

we pray. Amen.

Read John 10:1-18.

A Prayer about Receiving a Dire Diagnosis

by | Feb 26, 2023 | aging, dying, and death, body, Daily Prayer, Lent, Suffering

A Prayer about Receiving a Dire Diagnosis

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. Isaiah 41:10

Mighty and Merciful God,

We lift up those 

who have just received the bad news about their health 

or a loved one’s health.

It was cancer. 

There is no cure. 

We’re not sure what’s wrong.

We know the panic 

that comes in such a moment. 

Our palms sweat. 

Our hearts race. 

The room gets blurry. 

We have questions? 

Can I endure the pain? 

What will happen to my loved ones? 

What about work? 

Am I going to die?

Oh, gracious Father, 

thank you for so many beautiful words 

in your Word 

that address our fear. 

May all who have received a dire diagnosis 

hear them now:

“Don’t panic. 

I’m with you. 

There’s no need to fear 

for I’m your God. 

I’ll give you strength. 

I’ll help you. 

I’ll hold you steady, 

keep a firm grip on you” (Isaiah 41:10).

Oh, Father, thank you for these 

and all of the other words you have given us 

to comfort and calm our hearts. 

May we all know your nearness 

to the brokenhearted 

in this difficult season (Psalm 34:18).

In Jesus’ merciful name. Amen.

Read Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 43:1-2; Psalm 34.

A Prayer about Seeing the Light

by | Feb 25, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, kingdom living, Lent

A Prayer about Seeing the Light

And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:3

Glorious King,

As we revisit the story 

leading up to your death on a cross 

and your rising in glory, 

we’re still a long way away 

from your triumphal entry into Jerusalem. 

But the joy we know as Christians 

is that we’ve already heard the end of the story, 

and you win!  

In these gloomy, dark days of February, 

may we see your light burning 

through the thick darkness of our sin, 

the thick darkness of racial and political divides, 

the thick darkness of war and sickness and death. 

The day is coming, and it is coming soon, 

when we will arise and shine, 

when all nations and all kings 

will bow to the “brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:3). 

Until that day comes, 

may our hearts be warmed 

by the radiating glory 

of your brilliant love.

In your kingly name. Amen. 

Read Isaiah 60.