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A Prayer about Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

by | Nov 27, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth, Thanksgiving

A Prayer about Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Gracious Lord,

For some of us, 

today’s circumstances may include

maple-smoked turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, 

apple-crumb pie, and other rich and luscious fare. 

For others, it might look like a frozen turkey pot pie 

eaten in front of the TV. 

Whatever our circumstances 

on Thanksgiving Day in America, 

may we continue to rejoice and to pray, 

to give thanks, 

because it is your will for us in Christ Jesus. 

May we remember that the apostle Paul, 

who first penned these words, 

wasn’t sitting on silky sand 

drinking a Pina colada when he wrote them. 

He had suffered imprisonments, 

shipwreck, beatings, and betrayal, 

among other miseries. 

And yet, in such difficult circumstances, 

he discovered your kindness to him 

in the midst of suffering. 

He thanked you in the midst of grief 

because he saw you multiplying the good news 

in the hearts of many. 

Today, whatever food is on our table, 

whoever does or does not sit around it, 

may we see you multiplying beauty and hope 

and give you thanks 

for all of your gifts to us in Christ.

In the name of our Redeemer, Jesus. Amen.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. 



A Prayer about Walking in God’s Way

by | Nov 26, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Walking in God’s Way

Thus says the Lord: stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Jeremiah 6:16

Merciful Lord,

What a frightening passage. 

These are your very own people 

who are refusing to walk in the way 

you have shown them, 

the way that will bring rest for their souls. 

These words, “everyone is greedy for unjust gain…

everyone deals falsely” 

describe your chosen people (Jeremiah 6:13). 

They were “not at all ashamed” 

when they followed other pagan gods; 

“they did not know how to blush” (Jeremiah 6:14-15). 

When you called to them, 

‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’, 

they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’ (Jeremiah 6:17). 

Gracious Lord, as we, your redeemed people 

read these words describing your people long ago, 

may we examine our own hearts, 

searching for rebellious spirits, 

deaf ears, 

greedy hearts, 

deceptive minds. 

As we see our own sin, 

may we boldly approach your throne of grace, 

where you have promised 

we will receive mercy and help 

in our time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16). 

In the name of Jesus Christ, our advocate, 

we pray. Amen.

Read Jeremiah 6:13-17.



A Prayer about Thanking God for Special People

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth, Thanksgiving

A Prayer about Thanking God for Special People

On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. Acts 28:15

Author God,

Since today is my husband’s birthday, 

and since people in Scripture 

often thank you for people you’ve blessed them with,

it seems fitting now 

to thank you for the people 

you have written into our stories:

Thank you for writing [my friend, my encourager, my supporter, my child, my boss…] 

into my story.

Thank you for the ways they have supported me…

[Name the ways this person has supported you].

Thank you for the ways they have helped me grow…

[Name the ways they helped you grow]

Thank you for the ways they have given me courage to do hard things…

[Name the ways they have given you courage…]

Thank you for the way they have comforted me when I was sad…

[Name the ways they have comforted you…]

Thank you for the ways they have cheered me on in exciting times…

[Name ways they have cheered you on…]

Thank you for —

[Name anything else you can think of.]

In the name of our most faithful friend, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Read Acts 28:15; Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:9; Ephesians 1:16

Suggestion: Consider telling the person or people you prayed for what you prayed. It will encourage their hearts to know how God has worked in your life through theirs.



A Prayer about Radical Transformation

by | Nov 24, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Radical Transformation

But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Acts 8:3

Merciful God,

How good it is to read straight through the Bible 

because we return to radical redemption stories 

we might otherwise forget. 

This past week my reading took me back to this short paragraph 

about the persecution of the early church 

by a “Pharisee of Pharisees” 

who would soon become the apostle Paul, 

the man who wrote much of the New Testament. 

Show us through the true story of a man like Paul 

just how revolutionary the change in us, 

the change in others is, 

through the work of your Holy Spirit. 

A murderer becomes a missionary.

An addict becomes your adorer.

A grump becomes a gracious grandpa.

A sourpuss becomes a sweet servant.

Transforming Lord, 

give us a glimpse of what we might have become 

if we were not united with Christ 

so that we might have hope 

for those we might otherwise dismiss as hopeless. 

Show us the “Sauls” in our lives, 

that we may pray for them, 

that we may go to them, 

that they might have a life-changing encounter 

with Jesus. 

And while you’re at it, 

would you please give us a glimpse of the glory 

that awaits us 

when we see Jesus face to face 

and are truly made like him?

In Jesus’ transforming name. Amen.

Read Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:1-31. 



A Prayer about Seeking Shalom in Places of Exile

by | Nov 23, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Seeking Shalom in Places of Exile

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7

Redeeming God,

What a seemingly strange command. 

Your rebellious people 

have been exiled to Babylon, 

a pagan nation, 

and yet you instructed them 

to seek the welfare of the city, 

its shalom, its universal flourishing and wholeness.

In the same way, 

whether we live in a city or country 

we would never have chosen 

or an apartment with roommates we wished lived elsewhere 

or a neighborhood that has no people like us, 

you call us to seek the welfare 

of the places you have placed us. 

You work through us 

to bless every people 

with your peace and hope 

and beauty and truth, 

and one day your Holy City will move to us, 

and you will dwell with us, 

and we will know the future and the hope 

you have planned for us. 

Because of this truth, 

may we live and love today and every day

for the sake of our neighbors’ welfare.

In Jesus’ restoring name. Amen.

Read Jeremiah 29:4-14. 



A Prayer about Talking about Death and Dying

by | Nov 22, 2024 | aging, dying, and death, Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Talking about Death and Dying

The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26

Gracious Father,

You know how deathly afraid we are of death. 

We ask for your grace and mercy 

to help us talk about death and dying, 

well before we have any inkling that we might die. 

We ask you to give us the words 

to talk about death and dying 

with friends and family members 

who are facing a terminal diagnosis. 

Help us to talk about things 

like advance directives, 

which help us to choose 

which aggressive medical measures 

we wish doctors to use 

when our bodies are shutting down 

and the hope for a cure is long past. 

Help us to educate ourselves 

on these medical measures like CPR 

which looks nothing in reality 

like it does on TV, 

or ventilators, 

which can prevent a dying person 

from uttering her last words to her loved ones. 

Help younger family members to not be frightened

when their parents want to discuss their wishes; 

help elder family members 

be willing to share their wishes 

with younger ones. 

Because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ died 

and was raised from the dead 

that we might have forgiveness of sins 

and join him in eternal glory, 

give us the courage 

to prepare for glory 

by facing our mortality. 

In Jesus’ courageous name. Amen.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:26-28; Hebrews 2:8.

For help in having these conversations, check out my book, Preparing for Glory: Biblical Answers to 40 Questions about Living and Dying in Hope of Heaven. 

To listen to hospice worker and palliative care worker, Kelly Markham, LCSW, discuss these things, go here.