A Prayer about Missing People and Places at the Holidays

by | Nov 21, 2022 | aging, dying, and death, Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection, Grief, legacy, Seasons & Holidays, Suffering, Thanksgiving

A Prayer about Missing People and Places at the Holidays

“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:2

Gracious and Hospitable Lord,

As Thanksgiving comes around, 

our family misses my mom and her home. 

For many years, we visited her there, 

but her home now belongs to another; 

her new home is in heaven with you.

I know many face a similar sorrow. 

It will be their first holiday without their loved one. 

In a season when we may feel exiled from familiar places, 

draw our hearts to your ever-present 

and always abundant hospitality. 

You make homes for sparrows and nests for swallows (Psalm 84:3),

and you have invited us to be your sons and daughters. 

Even as we limp through the Valley of Weeping,

You make it a place of springs (Psalm 84:6), 

refreshing our hearts with your gentleness and joy.

When we tend to believe the lie that we are bereft, 

remind us that you are our “sun and shield,” 

bestowing “favor and honor”, 

assuring us, “No good thing 

do I withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).  

In the name of your Son, 

who came to walk this earth with us 

that we might live in heaven with you. 

Amen.

Read Psalm 84.

 

A Prayer about Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

by | Nov 3, 2022 | gratitude, Seasons & Holidays, Thanksgiving

A Prayer about Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Gracious Lord,

For some of us, 

today’s circumstances may include

maple-smoked turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, 

Apple-crumb pie, and other rich and luscious fare. 

For others, it might look like a frozen turkey pot pie 

eaten in front of the TV. 

Whatever our circumstances 

on Thanksgiving Day in America, 

may we continue to rejoice and to pray, 

to give thanks, 

because it is your will for us in Christ Jesus. 

May we remember that the apostle Paul, 

who first penned these words, 

wasn’t sitting on silky sand 

drinking a Pina colada when he wrote them. 

He had suffered imprisonments, 

shipwreck, beatings, and betrayal, 

among other miseries. 

And yet, in such difficult circumstances, 

he discovered your kindness to him 

in the midst of suffering. 

He thanked you in the midst of grief 

because he saw you multiplying the good news 

in the hearts of many. 

Today, whatever food is on our table, 

whoever does or does not sit around it, 

may we see you multiplying beauty and hope 

and give you thanks 

for all of your gifts to us in Christ.

In the name of our Redeemer, Jesus. Amen.

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

 

A Prayer about Being a Saint

by | Oct 31, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, gratitude, Reformation Day, worship, gratitude

A Prayer about Being a Saint

Dear Friends,

This began as a personal prayer, but I invite you to insert your own gratitude for God making you a saint.

 

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you. Psalm 145:10

 

Author God,

You and I both know that in the world’s sense of the word, 

I am no saint. 

And yet, on this All Saints’ Day, 

as I celebrate 60 years of being in the world, 

I stand in awe of “your abundant goodness,” 

in choosing me to be one of your saints in Christ (Romans 1:7). 

Not only did you place me in a Christian school 

where I would hear the good news of the gospel and begin studying the Bible, 

[name some of the specific ways God has shown you the good news of the gospel]

but you surrounded me with “a great cloud of witnesses,” 

wonderful saints, ordinary people redeemed in Christ, 

who were living stories that led me to see my need and desire for a Savior. 

[Name some of the saints who have shown you redemption in Christ.]

Not only did you draw me to Christ, 

literally raise me from spiritual death, 

but you have continued to write your story of “steadfast love,” 

showing me day after day 

that your “mercy is over all that you have made” (Psalm 145:9). 

[Name some of the ways he has written his story of “steadfast love” and “mercy” into your life.]

How grateful I am/we are 

that you have called us to be your “saints in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:1). 

In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

Read Psalm 145. 

 

A Prayer about True Freedom

by | Jul 3, 2022 | 4th of July, Daily Prayer, Gospel Coaching

A Prayer about True Freedom

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Merciful Father,

When the apostle Paul told the Galatians

they had been set free for freedom,

he wasn’t talking politics;

he was talking about

the rich, generous, and gracious

freedom we have in Christ.

On this Independence Day in America,

some of us celebrate America’s freedom,

but even more,

we celebrate the freedom we have

as citizens of your kingdom.

We are…

Freed from sin and shame

to bear the fruit of sanctification

and to live eternal life as your servants,

starting now (Romans 6:22).

Freed to outdo one another in love,

with honor, not slander,

with hospitable hearts,

assuming the best of others, not the worst (Romans 12:9-10).

Freed to serve God and serve others,

not to use our “freedom as a cover-up for evil” (1 Peter 2:16).

Best of all, we are freed

to spend all of our time, money, and energy

giving glory to you,

ourmighty and majestic God (Revelation 1:5-6).

Thank you for these truths which set us truly free (John 8:32).

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Galatians 5:1-10; Romans 12:9-19; 1 Peter 2:16; Revelation 1:5-6; John 8:32.

A Prayer about How We Can Love God and Our Neighbors

by | Mar 31, 2022 | 40-Day Prayer, Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about How We Can Love God and Our Neighbors

Triune God,

In a day when hatred seems more common than love, 

when mocking seems more common than meekness, 

when taking offense seems more common than taking up our cross, 

we confess, the greatest commandment seems impossible. 

And yet, you have not only called us to love you 

with all of our beings, our hearts, our souls, our minds, our strength, 

you have empowered us through your Spirit to do so. 

You have not only called us to love you in this way, 

but you have called us to love our neighbors 

(including strangers and enemies) 

as much as we love ourselves (which we have to admit, is a lot!)

Thank you for Jesus, who loved us, 

Your enemies, 

so much that he died 

so that we might become your friends. 

May we live and love 

out of our gratitude 

for his sacrifice 

and out of the power 

of his resurrection. 

In Jesus’ loving name. Amen.

Read Mark 12:28-34. 

A Prayer about a King Riding a Donkey

by | Mar 30, 2022 | 40-Day Prayer, Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about a King Riding a Donkey

Everlasting King,

As we approach the anniversary of the day 

Jesus entered Jerusalem as a king riding on a donkey, 

give us eyes to see him and minds to comprehend this amazing vision.

The prophet Zechariah foretold this day, 

exhorting the people of Israel:

Rejoice greatly!

Shout aloud!

Why? Because their King of Hope 

was coming to make them prisoners of hope. 

The King of Hope came, 

not riding on a massive white horse 

befitting a king 

but on a young donkey, 

a humble ride for a humble ruler. 

And he has won our peace, 

our peace with God, 

and our peace with one another. 

This Easter, may we join in the chorus of rejoicing 

at our humble king, 

who would defeat death 

and make us forever his “prisoners of hope” (Zechariah 9:12). 

In Jesus’ humble name. Amen.

Read Zechariah 9:9-17