A Prayer about Denying Ourselves

by Elizabeth | Mar 4, 2022 | 40-Day Prayer, Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about Denying Ourselves

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.

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A Prayer about Never Being Rejected Again

by Elizabeth | Feb 14, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Valentine's Day

A Prayer about Never Being Rejected Again

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 through an online app

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.

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A Prayer about Becoming Wise

by Elizabeth | Jan 3, 2022 | Christmas, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Becoming Wise

Wise Lord,

As we enter this first week of the new year,

how desperately we need your wisdom.

We’ve seen the bumper stickers, and they nail it—

“Wise men still seek him.”

Lord, indeed, the first way of wisdom

is to seek Jesus.

For years I didn’t realize that the wise men weren’t Jewish—

they were astrologers,

interpreters of stars and signs and dreams,

likely from Babylon.

Maybe they had overheard some Israelites

who were exiled there

speaking of the “bright morning star”

and they recognized the sign when they saw it.

Lord, help us to recognize you,

and to seek you in a much clearer sign—your Word.

When the wise men saw the sign,

they traveled far, probably around nine hundred miles,

to find the “king of the Jews.”

Lord, make us willing travelers

who will enter the unfamiliar

in order to see you and to share you with others.

The wise men risked their lives in asking Herod,

the appointed king of the Jews,

where the real King of the Jews was.

Lord, make us bold and courageous

in telling the truth about our real King, Jesus.

The wise men “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy”

when they saw the star

and when they discovered the child Jesus,

they “fell down and worshiped.”

Lord, make us people who fall down and worship

when we see you,

and make us see you every single moment of every single day.

In the name of King Jesus we pray. Amen.

Read Matthew 2: 1-12.

(This prayer was inspired by a sermon from our pastor, Joel Treick — you can listen at Pinewoods Church, December 19, 2021.

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A Prayer about Suffering with the Savior

by Elizabeth | Dec 31, 2021 | Christmas, Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Suffering with the Savior

Comforting Father,

As this year draws to a close,

I know many who, like me,

look forward to a new year,

hoping that it will soften the harsh edges

of last year’s grief, looking forward to new joys.

May it be so.

And yet, as we consider the words of Simeon

to Mary and Joseph,

we see that the call of a Christian

is to know the abiding joy of our salvation

even as we suffer piercing swords in our souls.

Jesus was born to die.

We are called to be reborn to die—

to our consuming agendas,

to our self-salvation strategies,

to our demand for certainty and control.

Like Mary and Joseph,

we are always richly blessed

by our Savior.

Like Mary and Joseph,

we will at times endure piercing pain

as we follow our Savior.

May we embrace our calling

with hearts of hope,

knowing that our Savior

“endured the cross”

“for the joy set before him,”

the joy of making us your beloved children.

In the name of our Suffering Savior, Jesus,

we pray. Amen.

Read Luke 2:33-35.

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A Prayer about Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace

by Elizabeth | Dec 28, 2021 | Christmas, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace

Gracious Father,

In these days between Christmas and New Year’s,

some of us find ourselves in seasons of doubt.

Some feel regret over Christmas conflicts,

others feel remorse over sins habitually committed.

Wherever we find ourselves,

may we hear you calling us

to confidence:

Draw near to the throne of grace!

There you will find your sympathetic priest,

“who was tempted in every way and yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15)

He became the perfect sacrifice

and presented this sacrifice to me,

and now, united with him,

you are cleansed from your sins.

Come to me with confidence.

You will find mercy and grace

to help you in your time of need.”

Forgiving Father, of all the invitations

we may receive this holiday season,

none is so generous and comforting as this one.

Thank you!

May we receive and believe it.

In the name of our sympathetic priest, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Read Hebrews 4:14-16.

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A Prayer about “Happy Holidays”

by Elizabeth | Nov 30, 2021 | Advent, Christmas, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about “Happy Holidays”

Joyful Lord,

It’s already happening.

I feel my inner Grinch creeping,

ready to make a sneak attack

on the poor unsuspecting checkout folks

who cheerfully call out, “Happy Holidays”

after I’ve just bought Christmas ornaments.

Lord, I know they’ve been told what to say.

Lord, I know that Christmas

has become commercialized.

And yet, these stores will still play songs like,

“Joy to the World, the Lord is come,

let earth receive her King,”

and “Hark, the herald angels sing,

‘Glory to the newborn King.’”

So rather than getting all grinchy

when someone tells me, “Happy Holidays,”

help me to joyfully respond, “Thank you,”

or even, “Joy to the world!”

Help me to see that even the “secularization” of Christmas

offers prime opportunities

to share the true reason for our joy —

we have a great King,

and that King has come,

in the form of a baby human!

It’s game-changing news,

but many don’t know it.

May we seek this season

to share this news

in the best way we know how,

by living and loving

in the fullness of our Savior’s joy!

Amen.

Read Psalm 98; Luke 2:8-20.

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