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A Prayer about Getting in the Back of the Line

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

A Prayer about Getting in the Back of the Line

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 18:14

Most High God,

We confess, 

our sin puffs us up with pride. 

We are too often like the Pharisee in this story, 

beating our chests, 

telling you how great we are, 

and pointing out other people’s little splinters 

while we have a big fat log sticking out of our eyes (See Matt. 7:3-5). 

We, like the disciples, 

want to be “greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:1),

and we poorly understand the route to such a reward.

For indeed, it is the tax collectors who bow low, 

knowing their sin,

begging your mercy, 

who are made right with you, 

who will be exalted in your kingdom.

Lord, have mercy on us. 

Help us to see our sin clearly 

and to confess it fully. 

Help us to be willing to “get in the back of the line,”* 

where we will find Jesus as our line companion. 

Help us to become like little children, 

so very needy for your strength. 

Help us to welcome little children, 

for to them belongs the kingdom of God.

In Jesus’ forgiving name we ask. 

Amen.  

Read Matthew 18:1-5; Luke 18:9-15; Matthew 7:3-5.

*This concept comes from a talk given by Pastor Joe Novenson to older adults. You can read a draft of his talk here.



A Prayer about Not Being Forsaken

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

A Prayer about Not Being Forsaken

He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8

Faithful Father,

In times that we feel forsaken, 

whether because of betrayal or abandonment or loss, 

may we remember, 

“It is the Lord who goes before [us],” 

and you will never leave us or forsake us. 

You are a God who made a covenant, 

a promise of love to your people

that you alone upheld. 

Even after Adam and Eve disobeyed you in the garden, 

you promised to send your Son to destroy Satan (Gen. 3:15). 

You promised Abraham to make him a great nation (Gen. 12:2), 

and you continued to love your people, the Israelites, 

even though they continued to rebel against you: 

“For the mountains may depart, 

and the hills may be removed, 

but my steadfast love will not depart from you” (Isaiah 54:10). 

In your most stunning proof of your commitment 

to bring your people back to you, 

you allowed your Son to be forsaken on the cross, 

to die for our sins, 

that we might become your children. 

Because you will never leave nor forsake 

your children in Christ, 

when we feel lonely 

or exiled 

or forgotten, 

we need not “fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). 

In Jesus’ faith-full name we pray. Amen.

Read Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 54. 



A Prayer about Why the Gospel Is Such Good News

by | Nov 13, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel Coaching, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Why the Gospel Is Such Good News

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1

Good Father,

Our world seems to be drawn to bad news, 

so much so that we can even watch it 24 hours a day 

on TV, on our phones, on our tablets.

And yet, our souls truly long for good news, 

and your gospel is precisely that. 

The word gospel literally translates as “good news.” 

This good news is “of Jesus Christ,” 

meaning it belongs to Jesus the Messiah, 

the King of your kingdom. 

This good news is also about Jesus Christ. 

It is true that it is [almost] unbelievably good news, 

for the story goes that you sent your Son, 

a divine King,

into the world as a human baby 

born from a virgin’s womb. 

But not only that, you sent your Son, 

your sinless Son, 

who perfectly satisfied you, 

as the Savior for your sinful people, 

who could never satisfy you. 

Good Father, help us to grasp this truth—

we could never earn your love. 

We could never pay the debt of our sin. 

Nothing we have done in our lives 

makes us good enough to be forgiven. 

And in that is the amazingly good news: 

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, 

so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). 

Father, how we thank you for your goodness to us in Christ. 

May we live in gratitude for this good news, 

and may we share it with everyone we meet.

In Jesus’ good name. Amen.

Read Mark 1:1-11. 



A Prayer about Freedom from Contempt

by | Nov 12, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Freedom from Contempt

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Psalm 123:3

Merciful and Loving Lord,

Many of us have suffered 

from daily doses of contempt, 

deployed by the evil one through “arrogant attackers” (Psalm 123:4). 

Contempt spreads like a cancer 

within our bodies and souls, 

wreaking havoc on our hearts, 

deceiving our brains.

Contempt shouts at us, 

telling us we’re not 

strong enough, 

smart enough, 

thin enough, 

good enough. 

Contempt makes fun of us 

for crying out to you for mercy. 

And yet, we do, for where else could we go? 

You alone have seen our worst, 

judged it for what it is—

destructive sin and rebellion, 

and sent your Son to die for it, 

that we might be freed from it. 

You, the One Judge 

who has the right to condemn us, 

sent your Son to pay our debt,

that you might call us your beloved children. 

Because of your mercy and grace, 

may we never join with voices of contempt, 

and may we bring the good news about you

to others 

through love, patience, kindness, and gentleness. 

In Jesus’ freeing name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 123. 



A Prayer about the Joy Growing in Our Hearts

by | Nov 11, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Joy Growing in Our Hearts

Light is sown for the righteous,

And joy for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11

Glorious God,

We confess, 

sometimes the evil in our world 

and the darkness in our own hearts 

obscures your righteousness and glory. 

Psalm 97 reorients the eyes of our hearts

to see how magnificent you are, 

and as we see your kingly power 

and eternal beauty, 

we rejoice: 

“The Lord reigns; 

let the earth rejoice; 

let the many coastlands be glad!” (Ps. 97:1). 

May we never doubt for a moment 

that you will defeat all evil 

on this earth 

in your good time: 

“Fire goes before him 

and burns his adversaries all around” (Ps. 97:3). 

Indeed, as we see “The mountains [melting] like wax” 

before you, mighty Lord, 

we “hear and [are] glad.” 

We rejoice! 

Not only are you “[preserving] the lives of your saints; 

[delivering] us from the hand of the wicked,” (Ps. 97:10), 

you are sowing light in our hearts. 

Today and every day, 

may we see the seeds of light 

growing in our hearts, 

and may we know that out of those seeds, 

you will harvest bright blooms of joy and gladness. 

Indeed, as your children made righteous in Christ, 

may we “give thanks to [your] holy name!” (Ps. 97:12).

In Jesus’ joy-full name. Amen.

Read Psalm 97.



A Prayer for Veterans and Current Military Personnel

by | Nov 10, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer for Veterans and Current Military Personnel

May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! Psalm 29:11

Almighty God,

Even as we celebrate and pray

for our veterans today in America, 

we praise you for being the Commander-in-Chief 

of Peace and Love. 

We thank you for those 

who have laid down their lives 

to bring peace, freedom, and protection to our country.

We thank you for their many sacrifices—

leaving families and friends, 

suffering loneliness and injury on our behalf.

We lift up families of veterans and current military personnel—

may they find good community, supportive churches, 

and rest in your protection when their loved ones are serving.

And we pray for all who have been injured in the line of duty, 

whether physically or mentally. 

We ask especially for healing of those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder—

bring restoration and hope to their lives and their families’ hearts. 

Most of all, we pray that our veterans and current military personnel 

would find their hope and healing in the Prince of Peace—Jesus.

In his mighty name we pray. Amen. 

Read Psalm 29.