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A Prayer about Living in the Love of God

by | Feb 13, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about Living in the Love of God

Lover of our Soul,

This Sabbath day, as we celebrate your love 

for your Bride, the Church,

 and our love and gratitude for saving us, 

we pray for your healing and help 

that we may love one another well. 

In the past several years,

we’ve seen more disharmony in the church 

than at any time in recent history. 

Forgive us. Help us and heal us. 

Our hope lies in you, 

the God of “endurance and encouragement” (Romans 15:7).

By your Spirit, transform us 

so we may live as your Bride, the Church, 

in harmony with one another, 

glorifying you (Romans 15:7-8).

One day soon, our perfect Bridegroom will return, 

and we will all celebrate 

at the greatest wedding feast ever enjoyed (Revelation 19:7).

By your grace, may we live and love 

in eager anticipation of that day, starting today.

Read Romans 15:1-7; Revelation 19:7; Ephesians 5:25-27.

A Prayer about Moving from the Domain of Darkness

by | Feb 6, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Moving from the Domain of Darkness

Father, 

I confess, 

sometimes the darkness of this world 

seems all-encompassing. 

The depressing news, 

the bent toward meanness, 

the joy in judginess

…I see it everywhere—

in my own heart and in the hearts of others. 

What good news it is to remember then, 

that we who are in Christ

no longer live in the “domain of darkness.” 

You have transferred us and transformed us. 

Now we have a rich inheritance: 

“the inheritance of the saints in the light” (Colossians 1:12). 

Now we are freed from the tyrant Satan 

to serve you, our redeeming and forgiving King. 

Now our primary language is “thanksgiving” 

and our primary work is “endurance and patience and joy” (Colossians 1:11). 

Now we have been “strengthened with all power, 

according to his glorious might” (Colossians 1:11).

to live as citizens of the kingdom of the beloved Son.

So very gratefully we pray. Amen. 

Read Colossians 1:9-14.

A Prayer about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream

by | Jan 17, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream

Holy God,

I love this day, a day to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 

and his dream, 

yes, 

but also a day to name our longing 

for the day when that dream will finally come true.

As I re-read the powerful words 

Dr. King spoke at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, 

the gospel roots of his dream are unmistakeable. 

He said, 

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted (Yes), 

every hill and mountain shall be made low, 

the rough places will be made plain (Yes), 

and the crooked places will be made straight (Yes), 

and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed [cheering], 

and all flesh shall see it together. (Yes Lord)”.

As Dr. King dreamed of a day when the wrongs of slavery 

would be made right, 

when the ravages of racism 

would be healed, 

we still long for that day 

when your glory will be fully revealed (Isaiah 40:5).

In this past year, we have seen sin run rampant, 

and many are discouraged. 

Draw us to look to you, Lord, 

to see you working in your kingdom already come in Christ, 

to create a land in which there is the freedom 

for which Christ set every man and woman free (Galatians 5:1). 

Help us, even as we long for justice to roll down on this earth 

to know there is a day coming 

when justice for all people will be the reality 

for every person who trusts in Christ as their king. 

Even as we long for justice and lean toward that final day, 

empower us to love our neighbors by working toward that equality 

for every human being today.

In the name of the one who humbled himself 

that we might all call your kingdom our home.

Amen.

Read Isaiah 40:1-5.

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A Prayer about Understanding God’s Timing

by | Nov 8, 2021 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about Understanding God’s Timing

All-Wise God, 

This is probably the most famous passage in Ecclesiastes 

to readers and non-readers of the Bible.

Enlighten us with your insight 

about this passage and about your timing. 

The Teacher who wrote these words 

seems to be frustrated by your timing: 

“What do people really get for all their hard work? 

I have seen the burden God has placed on us all” (Ecclesiastes 3:9-10). 

He sees that “”All go to one place. 

All are from dust, and to dust all return” (Ecclesiastes 3:20). 

Indeed, if this is all there is to life, 

then how “utterly meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). 

Thankfully, because of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, 

we who trust in him are living already 

in the eternity you have placed in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

Thankfully, because of our resurrection hope, 

we know that you are working in all times of our life, 

and that one day “soon,” 

we will dwell with you forever 

in a life multiplied by the meaning 

you wrote into your creation. 

Help us today to see your timing in all things. 

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-22. 

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!

A Prayer about Diversity and Unity in the Kingdom

by | Oct 17, 2021 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about Diversity and Unity in the Kingdom

King Jesus,

How thirsty our imaginations are 

for the vision of our new beginning 

in your new heavens and new earth. 

As we imagine the diversity and unity 

of your heavenly kingdom, 

we pray even more fervently,

Come, Lord Jesus, 

and unify all of the people of your church, 

even today.

Just as one day all the kings and queens and princes and princesses 

will come marching into your heavenly kingdom 

with all of their brightly colored array 

and different colored skin tones, 

even today, join us together.

In anticipation of the day we will worship you 

as the King of Kings, 

send us into unfamiliar cultural territory now — 

whether that’s swaying along to praise songs 

or shouting “Amen” to pastor’s preaching 

or serving squid at our potluck suppers.  

In anticipation of the day we will worship you 

as the King of Kings, 

open wide the doors of our hearts 

to welcome people who might feel like outsiders, 

that they might feel as comfortable as old family friends. 

In your glorious name we ask. Amen.

Read Revelation 21:22-22:5.

A Prayer about God’s Purpose and Plan

by | Oct 11, 2021 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about God’s Purpose and Plan

Lord,

It’s so humbling as I make plans for the week 

to meditate on your eternal purpose and plan:

Many of us make plans throughout our lives; 

many of us live with purpose; 

but not only have you made a plan, 

you’ve already “realized” that plan 

in Christ Jesus. 

Your purpose was to reconcile fallen sinners 

with your holy self 

through the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Your plan now is 

to make known this good news 

to people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. 

Your plan is to create a new humanity, 

people who love and worship Christ the King 

so fully that we love and care for one another faultlessly. 

You have already realized this plan in Jesus, 

and one day, we will see its completion.

Thank you for this good news as we begin our week.

In Jesus’ name.