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A Prayer about Hope that Doesn’t Shame Us

by | Jun 18, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Hope that Doesn’t Shame Us

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

Father God,

What a kind promise:

Hope does not put us to shame…

Many of us have known the shame 

of hoping for things on this earth—

hoping that our parents would get back together, 

hoping that our wandering child would return to you, 

hoping that a disease would be cured,

hoping that we’d get that good job—

all good things to hope for, 

and yet we’ve felt shame about those hopes disappointed.

You dare us to hope again, 

promising that your love has been “poured into our hearts” (Romans 5:5).

Because of that love, even if our earthly hopes are disappointed, 

our hopes for the future are secure. 

One day, Jesus will return. 

One day, you will wipe away tears shed on this earth.

 One day, you welcome us warmly to your new heavens and new earth, 

where all hopes are fulfilled in your glorious kingdom. 

We can hardly wait for that day.

In Jesus’ hope-giving name we pray. Amen. 

Read Romans 5:5; Revelation 21:1-5. 



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Rejoicing in Suffering

by | Jun 17, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Grief, Suffering

A Prayer about Rejoicing in Suffering

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…Romans 5:3-4

Lord Jesus,

Yesterday we prayed about rejoicing 

“in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).

Today we need to face the fact that, 

for those who follow you, 

suffering is not only normal, 

but also a cause for rejoicing. 

That doesn’t really fit our American narrative, 

so help us by your Spirit to understand:

Suffering produces endurance: 

As we fix our eyes on you, 

the “founder and perfecter” of our faith 

who endured the cross for us (Hebrews 12:2), 

we are empowered by your Spirit to keep walking forward, 

one new mercy at a time.

Endurance produces character: 

Through suffering, you are making us “mature and complete” (James 1:4), 

people who are wise and compassionate, 

tender and strong comforters, 

people who don’t toss out spiritual Band-aids, 

people who listen carefully 

and give wise counsel at the right time.

Character produces hope: 

As you grow our endurance and character through suffering, 

we long even more for the future day 

when you will return and make all things new. 

This is the essence of hope, 

and it is a hope that will never disappoint (Romans 5:5).

In your suffering name. Amen.

Read Romans 5:1-5.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about the Grace in Which We Stand

by | Jun 16, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Grace in Which We Stand

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Lord Jesus Christ,

What peace and hope and joy we have 

when we trust in you for our salvation.

In you, we have “obtained access,” 

that is, gained entrance into secure relationship with God. 

It’s like the Queen of England has an open door policy 

inviting us into her state room. 

But it’s even better than that. 

Not only are we given an audience with the Queen, 

she welcomes us with delight, 

like familiar family she really loves. 

We don’t wobble in your grace 

as though we’re about to fall out of it; 

we stand in it. 

We are held secure in your grace, 

which will not let us go. 

We stand tall and strong like mighty oaks, 

Unmoved by difficult circumstances.

Not only that, in this grace we rejoice, even boast. 

We are so confident in your grace 

that we want to shout it out like thrilled fans at a football game. 

Our sure hope for today and for the coming years

is that the glory of God will be known throughout all the earth. 

Our joy comes in knowing 

that we get to play a bit part in the story of your glory. 

In your justifying name. Amen. 

Read Romans 4:13-5:2.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about the Perfect Father

by | Jun 15, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Perfect Father

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Good and Faithful Father,

On this day 

when some celebrate their earthly fathers 

while some grieve fathers who’ve left this earth 

and others long for the presence of a good father, 

we thank you that you are a better father even 

than this waiting father 

in the story of the lost sons (Luke 15:11-32).

You have run to us through your Son; 

you have embraced us by his death for our sins; 

you have robed us in Christ’s righteousness; 

you have kissed us and welcomed us home 

because of your extravagant grace.

On this Father’s Day on earth, 

let us remember that for those who belong to you, 

every day is Father’s Day, 

every day is a day to praise and thank you, 

our good and glorious Father. 

In your precious Son’s name. Amen.

Read Luke 15:11-32.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Spiritual Battles

by | Jun 14, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Spiritual Battles

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

Mighty God,

As I’ve been dealing with some technology tangles

that have me fussing and fuming, 

I’ve realized this could be spiritual attack. 

I pray for myself and for all my fellow prayer warriors 

who are facing a battle with the “cosmic powers” 

and the “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12).

Help us, Lord, 

to battle in your strength 

against these forces, 

because you have provided a full set of armor, 

and because we’re too weak and frail to fight it in our own strength.

Your belt of truth holds us secure; 

your breastplate of righteousness defends against false accusations; 

your gospel shoes give us the peace of your shalom; 

your shield of faith catches flaming lies; 

your helmet of salvation keeps us safe forevermore; 

your Spirit’s sword, your Holy Word, steadies us in true truth; 

and last but definitely not least, 

the prayers of the saints keep us upright. 

Lord, strengthen us 

that we may continue to share the good news 

of our only hope:

Jesus’ conquering name. Amen. 

Read Ephesians 6:10-20.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Not Trusting in Our Own Righteousness

by | Jun 13, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Not Trusting in Our Own Righteousness

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt   Luke 18:9

Merciful God,

Open our hearts and show us any ways 

we “trust in ourselves,” 

any ways we think we are “righteous”—

thoughts like, “I’m a pretty good person,” 

or “I went to church five times this month,” 

or “I gave a lot of money to that homeless ministry.” 

Open our hearts to show us 

any ways we “treat others with contempt” — 

things like, “I can’t believe she wore that to church,” 

or “What a criminal to cheat on his taxes!” 

or “I’m glad I never have committed any of the big sins like so-and-so.”

Lord, you have made it clear—

We must come to you with bottomless humility, 

a deep awareness that we can do nothing “good” without you.

Show us our sin, large and small, 

and send us to our knees, 

begging your forgiveness, 

grateful for your mercy. 

In your humble and exalted name. Amen. 

Read Luke 18:9-14.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker