fbpx

A Prayer about Denying Self

by | Feb 23, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about Denying Self

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

Lord Jesus,

It’s not very popular in our selfie culture 

to deny ourselves. 

We’re pretty committed 

to self-fulfillment, 

self-esteem, 

and self-promotion. 

Only by your marvelous grace 

and mighty Spirit 

can we be transformed. 

We long to follow you 

as children play follow-the-leader, 

never losing sight of you, 

doing what you do

(even if we don’t understand why you do it), 

venturing into the unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

In this season of Lent, 

lead us to learn how to say no 

to all the things we think we need 

for life and happiness. 

In this season of Lent, 

remind us of the great good news of the gospel— 

“in Christ,” 

we are fully empowered 

to deny ourselves 

and to follow you 

in your mission of redeeming your people 

for the sake of God’s glory. 

What cause for rejoicing!

In your leading name. Amen.  

Read Mark 8:31-38.

A Prayer about Needing Salvation

by | Feb 22, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Easter, gratitude, Lent

A Prayer about Needing Salvation

Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Psalm 38:21-22. 

Steadfastly-loving Lord,

We come to you again today, 

as we did yesterday, 

with David, mourning our own sin, 

seeing its ravaging effects 

on our hearts, souls, bodies, and minds. 

We waited for you, O Lord, 

and you answered us 

by sending your Son, 

our Savior (Psalm 38:15). 

We would be desperate 

if we did not know the hope we have in Jesus. 

Because he was forsaken on the cross, 

we will never be forsaken in our sin. 

We cry out to you with profound hope 

for forgiveness 

because you have already 

made haste to help us 

in Christ. 

Send us out to live and love 

in this great hope today and every day.

In Jesus’ forsaken name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 38.

A Prayer about Help for Our Sin

by | Feb 21, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Easter, Lent

A Prayer about Help for Our Sin

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. Psalm 38:3

Mighty and Merciful God,

Today, many Christians began an intentional time 

of reflecting on our sins 

as we prepare to celebrate 

the outrageously good news 

that Christ died and rose for those sins.

How appropriate then to join David 

in his mourning and anguish over his sin, 

as he cries out, 

“For my iniquities have gone over my head; 

like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me” (Psalm 38:4).

Lord, help us to see that without Christ, 

we’d be sunk by our sin. 

Help us to smell 

the festering wounds of our own foolishness (Psalm 38:5). 

But most of all, help us to collapse 

completely on your grace, 

crying out to you as David did, 

“O Lord, all my longing is before you; 

my sighing is not hidden from you,” 

knowing that “it is you, O Lord my God, 

who will answer” (Psalm 38:9, 15). 

In Jesus suffering name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 38.

A Prayer about Never Being Rejected Again

by | Feb 13, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Marriage, Valentine's Day

A Prayer about Never Being Rejected Again

…you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you. Isaiah 43:3

Loving and Beloved Lord,

On the day set apart 

on the global calendar 

to celebrate human love, 

we recognize that it’s a hard day 

for many. 

Some endure the seemingly daily experience 

of rejection after a good date 

or ghosting after seeming connection over several dates. 

Others have been married for years 

but are lonely or bitter in that marriage,

sharing home but not heart. 

Oh Lord, how we thank you 

that your “steadfast love will not depart” from us (Isaiah 54:8-9); 

that because we are  your beloved children 

and your beloved bride, 

you will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). 

Not only that, 

but we are so precious to you 

that you sent your Son to redeem us, 

to bring us back to you (Isaiah 43:1-4). 

Oh, Lord, may we all share the love 

you have shown us 

with at least one lonely and lovelorn person today.

In Jesus’ faithful name. Amen.

Read Isaiah 54:10; Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 43:1-4. 

A Prayer about Why God Sent His Son

by | Jan 10, 2023 | Christmas, Christmas, Daily Prayer, gratitude

A Prayer about Why God Sent His Son

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17

Heavenly Father,

In these early days after Christmas, 

may we not immerse ourselves in the whirl of the world 

so fully that we lose our wonder 

at the profoundly good news of the incarnation: 

From the beginning, 

even when his fingers were tiny 

and his sounds were infant coos, 

Jesus was born for one purpose: 

that we, that the whole cosmos, might be “born again” (John 3:3). 

“How shall that be,” the Jewish leader, Nicodemus, 

asks? 

Jesus explains in some of the better known words of the Word: 

“For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in him 

should not perish 

but should have eternal life” (John 3:16). 

This is the true gift of Christmas, 

but it gets even better. 

For all who have suffered the voices of contempt and condemnation, 

who have hung their heads in shame, 

you give more hope, 

“For God did not send his Son 

into the world to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). 

Oh, gracious and merciful Father, 

what good news this is! 

May we live and love out of it today and every day.

In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Read John 3:1-21. 

A Prayer about Seeing the Light

by | Jan 5, 2023 | Christmas, Christmas, Daily Prayer, gratitude, Seasons & Holidays

A Prayer about Seeing the Light

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1

 

Glorious God,

Though the twelfth day of Christmas 

has come and gone, 

the defrocked trees lie 

dried and withered by the curb, 

may we see the glory of Christ-with-us, 

the good news that our light has come, 

today and every day of this year.

Peel the scales from our eyes, 

so we may see the light

that has overcome the thick darkness, 

your grace, and your glory, 

your mercy and your kindness to us 

in Christ. 

Indeed, may all “nations come to your light, 

and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:3). 

Open our eyes to see the great ingathering 

of your people, 

“the sons …come from afar…

the daughters carried on the hip…” (Isaiah 60:4). 

Radiate our hearts with this good news 

today and every day. 

In Jesus’ glorious name. Amen. 

Read Isaiah 60:1-5.