A Prayer about the Fast God Chooses

by | Mar 10, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

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 58:6-7

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 True Repentance

by | Mar 9, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

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 | Mar 8, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

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 Seeing the Light

by | Mar 7, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

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 March, 

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. 



A Prayer about Denying Self

by | Mar 6, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Denying Self

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

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.