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A Prayer about Memorial Day

by | May 28, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

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 the Helper We Need

by | May 27, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about the Helper We Need

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. John 14:16

Lord Jesus,

You gently but firmly assured your disciples 

that you would leave them a “Helper,” 

the Holy Spirit, 

when you left this earth. 

And yet, I confess,

I often forget or ignore the generous help of the Spirit. 

Among other things:

Your Holy Spirit offers the wisest counsel 

but never tries to fix us with trite advice (John 14:16).

Your Holy Spirit transforms our suffering 

for your glory and our good (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

Your Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers 

for the building and blessing of your church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

Your Holy Spirit prays for us, 

giving us the words to pray 

when our tongues are mute (Romans 8:26).

Open our eyes today, 

to see the Helper we have in the Spirit. 

Draw us to lean into this help, 

to know that we are never alone.

In your kind name. Amen. 

Read John 14:16, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Romans 8:26.

A Prayer about Focusing on the One Necessary Thing

by | May 26, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

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 Ending Well

by | May 25, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Ending Well

When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them all and prayed. 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. Then they brought him to the ship. Acts 20:36-38

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 Being the Bride

by | May 24, 2023 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about Being the Bride

“Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” Revelation 21:9

Oh Heavenly Bridegroom,

In this season of so many weddings, 

may we never forget 

that we belong to you as your bride.

It is hard to believe that you would choose us, 

and we feel our unworthiness, 

and we wouldn’t dare to hope 

that you would actually take us as your bride, 

except that Scripture tells us 

you gave yourself up for us, 

in order to sanctify us, 

and that one day you will present us to yourself 

in splendor, 

“without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, 

that she might be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27). 

Lord, may we look toward that day 

with eager and fervent longing. 

May we imagine the day you will lift our veil 

and we will see you face to face. 

What a beautiful wedding day that will be!

In your perfectly loving name. Amen.

Read Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-9; Revelation 21:2. 

A Prayer about Confessing Our Sins

by | May 23, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Confessing Our Sins

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Forgiving Father,

I recently read Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s exhortation 

to confess our sins to a brother or sister in Christ.* 

While we don’t want to make the mistake 

of thinking that we must confess our sins to another person 

in order to be forgiven, 

and while we don’t believe that any human 

has the authority of Christ to forgive us our sins, 

we do need to recognize that confession of our sins, 

sometimes to another human being, 

is crucial to living in the “freedom for which Christ set us free” (Gal. 5:1).

Show us, Father, if we are lying to ourselves 

when we only confess sins privately to you; 

show us if we need to take a sin out of the darkness 

into the light of gracious fellowship, 

a few close friends, 

or a trusted ministry leader, 

who can remind us of the hope your Word offers

about sin, temptation, and forgiveness. 

Help us not to “conceal our transgressions” 

but to “confess” them and “forsake them” (Proverbs 28:13). 

As we confess our sins, 

may we remember and believe 

that you are “faithful and just to forgive our sins 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

In Jesus’ forgiving name. Amen. 

This prayer inspired by Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, Life Together.