A Prayer about the Beauty, Surprise, and Joy of Jesus

by | Feb 19, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Joy, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Beauty, Surprise, and Joy of Jesus

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. Isaiah 25:6

Miracle-working Jesus,

Two years ago, our pastor preached on your first miracle—

turning water into wine!

As he said, 

“Why, of all the signs you could have chosen, 

did you choose to make your first miracle this one?”* 

His answer, so eloquently put, 

is an invitation to adore and worship you: 

“the arc of the universe bends toward joy.” 

You came to bring “beauty, surprise, and joy.” 

Yes, you came to forgive sins through your death on the cross. 

And yes, we should fight against sin. 

But we should never never forget that you 

“drank the bitter wine 

so we could drink the better wine 

of everlasting life.” 

We should never forget that you 

“swallow(ed) up death forever” (Isaiah 25:8). 

We should never forget that one day “soon” 

we will join you as your perfected bride (Revelation 21:2), 

the bride you died for, 

feasting with you 

at the wedding supper of the lamb (Rev. 19:6-10).

In your surprising name we pray.

Amen.

Read John 2:1-11; Isaiah 25:6-8.

*Quotes and concepts in this prayer come from our wonderful Pastor Joel Treick, Pinewoods Church. If you’d like to hear the sermon, go here and search for episode from February 5, 2023.



A Prayer about Receiving a Dire Diagnosis

by | Feb 18, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

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 the Guidance We Need

by | Feb 17, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Guidance We Need

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5

All-Wise God,

You know that every morning 

I look at my weather app 

to help me plan for my day—

how to dress, 

where to work out, 

when to walk my dog. 

So many of us seek guidance for life 

in little metal and glass boxes—

scanning the news headlines, 

scrolling through social media, 

seeking peace for our worries 

and guidance for living. 

Help us, Lord! 

Draw us to the truth 

that teaches and leads us 

to your holiness, kindness, 

and grace. 

Your Word instructs sinners (Psalm 25:8); 

your Word shows us how to walk on your path, 

the path of “steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 25:10). 

Your Word teaches the humble your way (Psalm 25:9). 

Your Word shows us the way we should choose—

what to do about that problem at work, 

how to show our children love through discipline, 

who to ask about help with depression and anxiety…

Lord, you have already turned to us 

and been so very gracious to us 

through the Living Word, 

your Son, our Savior. 

May we find comfort in affliction 

and companionship in loneliness 

as we embrace your wonderful Word. 

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 25. 



A Prayer about Why We Make a Joyful Noise

by | Feb 15, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Joy, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Why We Make a Joyful Noise

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, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Parenting, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Praying for Moms of Young Children

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 give 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.



A Prayer about Never Being Rejected Again

by | Feb 13, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Never Being Rejected Again

…you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you. Isaiah 43:3

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 

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. 

Dear 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). 

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.