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A Prayer about the Grace in Which We Stand

A Prayer about the Grace in Which We Stand

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Lord Jesus Christ,

What peace and hope and joy we have 

when we trust in you for our salvation.

In you, we have “obtained access,” 

that is, gained entrance into secure relationship with God. 

It’s like the Queen of England has an open door policy 

inviting us into her state room. 

But it’s even better than that. 

Not only are we given an audience with the Queen, 

she welcomes us with delight, 

like familiar family she really loves. 

We don’t wobble in your grace 

as though we’re about to fall out of it; 

we stand in it. 

We are held secure in your grace, 

which will not let us go. 

We stand tall and strong like mighty oaks, 

Unmoved by difficult circumstances.

Not only that, in this grace we rejoice, even boast. 

We are so confident in your grace 

that we want to shout it out like thrilled fans at a football game. 

Our sure hope for today and for the coming years

is that the glory of God will be known throughout all the earth. 

Our joy comes in knowing 

that we get to play a bit part in the story of your glory. 

In your justifying name. Amen. 

Read Romans 4:13-5:2.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about the Perfect Father

A Prayer about the Perfect Father

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Good and Faithful Father,

On this day 

when some celebrate their earthly fathers 

while some grieve fathers who’ve left this earth 

and others long for the presence of a good father, 

we thank you that you are a better father even 

than this waiting father 

in the story of the lost sons (Luke 15:11-32).

You have run to us through your Son; 

you have embraced us by his death for our sins; 

you have robed us in Christ’s righteousness; 

you have kissed us and welcomed us home 

because of your extravagant grace.

On this Father’s Day on earth, 

let us remember that for those who belong to you, 

every day is Father’s Day, 

every day is a day to praise and thank you, 

our good and glorious Father. 

In your precious Son’s name. Amen.

Read Luke 15:11-32.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Spiritual Battles

A Prayer about Spiritual Battles

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

Mighty God,

As I’ve been dealing with some technology tangles

that have me fussing and fuming, 

I’ve realized this could be spiritual attack. 

I pray for myself and for all my fellow prayer warriors 

who are facing a battle with the “cosmic powers” 

and the “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12).

Help us, Lord, 

to battle in your strength 

against these forces, 

because you have provided a full set of armor, 

and because we’re too weak and frail to fight it in our own strength.

Your belt of truth holds us secure; 

your breastplate of righteousness defends against false accusations; 

your gospel shoes give us the peace of your shalom; 

your shield of faith catches flaming lies; 

your helmet of salvation keeps us safe forevermore; 

your Spirit’s sword, your Holy Word, steadies us in true truth; 

and last but definitely not least, 

the prayers of the saints keep us upright. 

Lord, strengthen us 

that we may continue to share the good news 

of our only hope:

Jesus’ conquering name. Amen. 

Read Ephesians 6:10-20.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Not Trusting in Our Own Righteousness

A Prayer about Not Trusting in Our Own Righteousness

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt   Luke 18:9

Merciful God,

Open our hearts and show us any ways 

we “trust in ourselves,” 

any ways we think we are “righteous”—

thoughts like, “I’m a pretty good person,” 

or “I went to church five times this month,” 

or “I gave a lot of money to that homeless ministry.” 

Open our hearts to show us 

any ways we “treat others with contempt” — 

things like, “I can’t believe she wore that to church,” 

or “What a criminal to cheat on his taxes!” 

or “I’m glad I never have committed any of the big sins like so-and-so.”

Lord, you have made it clear—

We must come to you with bottomless humility, 

a deep awareness that we can do nothing “good” without you.

Show us our sin, large and small, 

and send us to our knees, 

begging your forgiveness, 

grateful for your mercy. 

In your humble and exalted name. Amen. 

Read Luke 18:9-14.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Holy Touch

A Prayer about Holy Touch

Greet one another with a holy kiss. Romans 16:16

Loving Father,

After being asked for a hug 

by an elderly woman outside a senior center recently,

I am more aware than ever of the “famine of touch” 

many in our world experience. 

Those of us who are married or who have children 

may not give much thought 

to how single and elderly people 

may long for appropriate touch.

Pastor Sam Allberry tells us, 

“Churches should provide a remedy [to the famine of touch] 

by being a place where healthy and appropriate touch is encouraged.”** 

Lord, may we become specialists at “gospel touch,”

which Pastor Zack Eswine describes as 

“meant to resemble the touch normatively appropriate 

between family members….” 

Because many of us have been harmed by abusive touch, 

may we remember and guard against 

“abusive, neglectful, presumptuous, or sensual touch 

[which] has no place in the tender touch of gospel life and ministry.”*** 

Help us, Lord, to recover 

a view of the body 

and of holy touch 

that accords with your view.

In the name of Jesus who became flesh for us.

Amen. 

Read John 1:14; 2 John 12; Psalm 139:13-14. 

**To think more about how God made our bodies for touch, see Sam Allberry’s excellent book, What God Has to Say about Our Bodies.

***Quoted in Allberry, 192.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about the Occupied Throne

A Prayer about the Occupied Throne

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:13

Lord Our Heavenly King,

We confess, 

we’ve never seen a throne in real life, 

and sometimes it’s hard to understand 

what it means that you’re sitting 

on the throne of heaven, 

right this very minute. 

Show us, we pray, 

that we might see you as our glorious King 

even as we wait for the day 

we will gather before your throne in person.

Because you are on the throne, 

we can wait for that day confidently, 

knowing that the day of judgment is coming 

for evil rulers who seem to be winning over the world 

with their corrupt power. 

Because you are on the throne, 

we can wait peacefully, 

knowing that our King is seated on the throne, 

not pacing the floor wringing his hands in worry 

about the wretched state of the cosmos. 

Because you are on the throne, we can wait gratefully, 

seeing the King who suffered for us to make us his people. 

Because you are on the throne, we can wait worshipfully, 

bowing with all the saints of heaven 

before your occupied throne, 

singing the praise of our benevolent King.

In Jesus’ just and merciful name we pray. 

Amen.

Read Revelation 4-5.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker