A Prayer about Ending Well

by | May 26, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Ending Well

There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again. Acts 20:36-37

Sending God,

It is the season of endings. 

Students are graduating 

from high schools, colleges, and grad schools; 

couples are getting married and altering the relationships 

they’ve had with their families. 

The truth is, most of us don’t like to say good-bye. 

We enjoy familiarity, and new things sometimes frighten us. 

Shape us by the good news of your sending gospel. 

Show us through Paul and the Ephesian elders 

how to end well.

Paul was honest with his beloved friends, 

“And so this is good-bye. 

You’re not going to see me again, 

nor I you, you whom I’ve gone among for so long 

proclaiming the good news of God’s inaugurated kingdom” (Acts 20:25-27, MSG). 

Paul can leave well because he knows 

he has done what God called him to do in Ephesus: 

“I’ve done my best for you, given you my all, 

held back nothing of God’s will for you” (Acts 20:27).

Even as he leaves, he charges them 

to live in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. 

And then, in this tender scene on the beach, 

they say good-bye. 

They don’t pretend that they’re not going to miss each other—

they grieve. 

They weep. 

They hug and they kiss (Acts 20:36-38). 

And then the elders send Paul off.

Lord, you’ve shown us the way to do endings well. 

Give us the grace to do so in these coming days.

In Jesus’ tender name. Amen. 

Read Acts 20:17-38.



A Prayer about Memorial Day

by | May 25, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Memorial Day

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Ephesians 2:17

Almighty King,

Today in America we remember 

all who’ve served, fought, and died 

to bring peace to our country. 

Even as we honor these brave warriors, 

help us to remember 

the bravest and most sacrificial Warrior—

our true King Jesus.

He broke down the dividing wall of hostility 

that separated us from you 

and separated us from others (Ephesians 2:14-16). 

He won the war against sin in our hearts, 

freeing us to serve him, the Prince of Peace 

who died for us and defeated death once and for all (Revelation 1:18).

Help us to live as citizens of your kingdom, 

as bold and gentle warriors 

of your mercy, humility, love, and peace.

In Jesus’ peace-winning name. Amen. 

Read Ephesians 2:11-22.



A Prayer about Focusing on the One Necessary Thing

by | May 24, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Focusing on the One Necessary Thing

But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’

Luke 10:41-42

Lord Jesus,

You are the “one thing that is necessary.” 

You are the “good portion.” 

You rule the cosmos. 

You control all of the things 

we want to control 

but can’t. 

We confess, 

we’re not always comfortable sitting at your feet, 

listening to your truth and grace. 

We are “distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40). 

Why do we busy about? 

Is it because we want to earn others’ approval? 

To earn your approval? 

Is it because we were raised to work hard? 

Is it because we’re addicted to distractions? 

Lord, turn our heads toward you—

“the one thing that is necessary.” 

Help us to choose the good portion—

to hear your teaching, 

to gaze on your beauty. 

And as we choose you 

over all the “many things,” 

may we find the rest you have promised 

to all who are weary and heavy-laden.

In your rest-giving name. Amen.

Read Luke 10:38-42. 



A Prayer about Submitting to the Lord’s Plan for Our Lives

by | May 23, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Submitting to the Lord’s Plan for Our Lives

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

All-Wise Lord,

Forgive us for thinking so highly of our own thoughts and plans.

We live in a culture that tells us to make a plan and work the plan, 

and success will follow. 

How we need to trust in your plan, 

even when it does not fit with our plan. 

You tell us to come to you for life and peace, 

to turn from the temptation to earn our way 

into your good graces. 

Indeed, there is no earning in your kingdom: 

“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, 

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2).

Because of your abundant mercy, 

we turn from the temptation to trust our own plans…

for relationships,

spouses,

children (young or grown), 

work and retirement, 

finances, 

health, 

living situation, etc. 

Because of your eternal wisdom, 

we seek you and call upon you, 

believing that your way are higher than our ways, 

and your thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). 

Because you are the Lord and giver of life, 

we turn to your living Word 

to discover the hopeful plans 

you have made for us, 

fighting our unbelief 

to hope that this word will be true for us, 

our loved ones, our church, and your kingdom:

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace…” (Isaiah 55:12).

In the name of your Word incarnate, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Read Isaiah 55. 



A Prayer about Resting from Self-Reliance

by | May 22, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Resting from Self-Reliance

Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9

Resurrecting and Rest-giving God,

Forgive us for our stubborn self-reliance, 

our refusal to rest, 

our restless commitment 

to hurry and busyness.

Thank you for sending suffering 

that stops us in our tracks. 

Give us the eyes to see 

like the blind man given sight, 

your beloved apostle Paul, 

that when we experience affliction, 

when we feel “utterly burdened beyond our strength,” 

and “despair of life itself” (2 Cor. 1: 8), 

you are inviting us to the rest and reliance we need, 

the only rest that will truly satisfy, 

rest in your suffering Son, Jesus. 

Slow us down in our sorrow 

that we may feel 

your strength, 

your sturdiness, 

your steadfast love. 

Help us not to rush 

to comfort others in their affliction (2 Cor. 1:3-7), 

even though that labor will one day be a byproduct 

of our suffering. 

Help us to simply stop, 

to shed the tears you wait to count, 

to throw ourselves completely 

on the rest you give. 

For indeed, 

you are the God who raises the dead, 

and you give us the hope 

that “will deliver us again” (2 Cor. 1:10). 

In the name of our Savior who suffered 

that we might be comforted. Amen.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-11.



A Prayer about Seeing the Glory of Jesus

by | May 21, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Seeing the Glory of Jesus

And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Matthew 17:2

Glorious Jesus,

How we long to see your glory, 

to really see it, 

the way Peter, James, and John saw it 

in the transfiguration. 

You took them to a high mountain, 

and as you were praying, 

you began shining like the sun, 

your face lit up in fierce, overpowering light, 

your clothes whiter 

than newly bleached sheets. 

Even though we have not yet physically seen you 

in your glory, 

help us to engage our imaginations 

so that we see what Peter, James, and John saw. 

Dazzling in your glory, 

you spoke with Moses and Elijah, 

two men who had caught glimpses of God’s glory. 

God’s glory-cloud descended on this whole bunch 

gathered on the mountain, 

and the voice of your Father spoke, 

“This is my beloved Son, 

with whom I am well pleased. 

Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). 

The disciples sank to the ground, 

terrified by it all. 

But you, the fiery yet gentle Jesus, 

touched them, 

telling them, 

“Rise, and have no fear” (Matthew 17:7). 

Lord, may we see your glory 

even in this very story. 

And may we imagine your glory 

shining today into every crack and crevice of sin, 

every rupture and ravage of evil, 

healing and cleansing 

and bringing hope to hurting hearts. 

In your beautiful name. Amen. 

Read Matthew 17:1-13.