A Prayer about Jesus’ Mission

by | Mar 10, 2022 | 40-Day Prayer, Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about Jesus’ Mission

Lord Jesus,

Dazzle us again with this strange but good news:

You weren’t just a man who decided to go about preaching. 

You were “anointed,” set apart for a special mission, 

designated to be a different kind of king. 

You weren’t anointed 

by the board of your church or by a seminary. 

You were set apart for this mission 

by the other two members of the Holy Trinity: 

the Holy Spirit and the Holy God. 

Together, in trinitarian agreement, 

since the foundation of the world, 

you all planned this special mission:

You would come, as the only God-in-flesh, 

not to the rich and the rulers, 

but to the poor, the afflicted, and the broken-hearted. 

And you would bring “good news.” 

We are grateful for your mission 

and grateful to be the people for whom you came.

In your anointed name. Amen. 

Dear friends, stay tuned. Tomorrow, we’ll pray more about Isaiah 61 and that good news. Reminder: Be sure to sign up to receive your 40 days of Easter prep Scripture cards. They go along with the daily prayers I’m writing. You can print them as a poster or on business card paper and have individual cards. 

A Prayer about an Upside-Down Kingdom

by | Mar 9, 2022 | 40-Day Prayer, Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about an Upside-Down Kingdom

Almighty King, 

We live in the Age of Exaltation, especially self-exaltation.

We need inversion therapy—

we need our ways of thinking and acting 

to be turned upside-down 

by the extraordinary news of the gospel. 

You say, 

“everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, 

but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

You sent your Son, the King of the Cosmos, 

to this “humus,” this earth, as a humble servant

to save us from our self-exaltation.

He “did not count equality with God 

a thing to be grasped but made himself nothing, 

taking the form of a servant. 

And being found in human form, 

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, 

even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8).

By your grace, through Christ’s death and resurrection, 

raise us up to live in the humility of our now-exalted King.

In Jesus’ humble name. Amen.

Read Luke 18:9-17; Philippians 2:1-11. 

A Prayer about True Repentance

by | Mar 7, 2022 | 40-Day Prayer, Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about True Repentance

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 Denying Ourselves

by | Mar 4, 2022 | 40-Day Prayer, Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about Denying Ourselves

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 cause for rejoicing!

In your leading name. Amen.  

Read Mark 8:31-38.

A Prayer about Never Being Rejected Again

by | Feb 14, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Valentine's Day

A Prayer about Never Being Rejected Again

Loving and Beloved Lord,

On the day set apart 

on the global calendar 

to celebrate human love, 

we recognize that it’s a hard day 

for many. 

Some endure the seemingly daily experience 

of rejection after a good date through an online app 

or ghosting after seeming connection over several dates. 

Others have been married for years 

but are lonely or bitter in that marriage,

sharing home but not heart. 

Oh Lord, how we thank you 

that your “steadfast love will not depart” from us (Isaiah 54:8-9); 

that because we are  your beloved children 

and your beloved bride, 

you will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). 

Not only that, 

but we are so precious to you 

that you sent your Son to redeem us, 

to bring us back to you (Isaiah 43:1-4). 

Oh, Lord, may we all share the love 

you have shown us 

with at least one lonely and lovelorn person today.

In Jesus’ faithful name. Amen.

Read Isaiah 54:10; Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 43:1-4. 

A Prayer about Becoming Wise

by | Jan 3, 2022 | Christmas, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Becoming Wise

Wise Lord,

As we enter this first week of the new year, 

how desperately we need your wisdom. 

We’ve seen the bumper stickers, and they nail it—

“Wise men still seek him.” 

Lord, indeed, the first way of wisdom 

is to seek Jesus. 

For years I didn’t realize that the wise men weren’t Jewish—

they were astrologers, 

interpreters of stars and signs and dreams, 

likely from Babylon. 

Maybe they had overheard some Israelites 

who were exiled there 

speaking of the “bright morning star” 

and they recognized the sign when they saw it. 

Lord, help us to recognize you, 

and to seek you in a much clearer sign—your Word. 

When the wise men saw the sign, 

they traveled far, probably around nine hundred miles, 

to find the “king of the Jews.” 

Lord, make us willing travelers 

who will enter the unfamiliar 

in order to see you and to share you with others. 

The wise men risked their lives in asking Herod, 

the appointed king of the Jews, 

where the real King of the Jews was. 

Lord, make us bold and courageous 

in telling the truth about our real King, Jesus. 

The wise men “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” 

when they saw the star 

and when they discovered the child Jesus,

they “fell down and worshiped.” 

Lord, make us people who fall down and worship 

when we see you, 

and make us see you every single moment of every single day.

In the name of King Jesus we pray. Amen. 

Read Matthew 2: 1-12.

(This prayer was inspired by a sermon from our pastor, Joel Treick — you can listen at Pinewoods Church, December 19, 2021. 

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