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A Prayer about Desiring a Better Country

by | Nov 6, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Desiring a Better Country

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Hebrews 11:13

Lord God, Architect and Builder of the City with Foundations,

Remind us today of what you have told us over and over: 

this world is not our home—yet. 

One day, our Savior, King Jesus, 

who submitted himself to estrangement 

for the sake of our sins, 

will return to this earth. 

In that day, he will bring with him 

“the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, 

coming down out of heaven from God, 

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). 

I admit, that’s such a mixed metaphor 

it’s hard to get my mind around, 

but this I know. 

In that day, we will, 

like Abraham and Sarah and Moses and Rahab 

and all the other saints mentioned in Hebrews 11, “

receive the things promised,” 

the things we “greet…from afar” (Hebrews 11:13). 

We will settle in the homeland 

we have always sought (Hebrews 11:14). 

We will no longer be “strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). 

Today and every day, Lord, 

keep our eyes fixed on the horizon, 

looking for that “better country” 

our hearts deeply desire, 

the heavenly one, 

for we know that you have prepared for us a city. 

Until that day comes, 

may we invite others to join us 

as strangers and exiles on this earth, 

as citizens of your heavenly kingdom. 

In Jesus’ anticipated name. Amen. 

Read Hebrews 11:8-16; Revelation 21:1-5. 



A Prayer about Praying for the Persecuted

by | Nov 5, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Prayer, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Praying for the Persecuted

Indeed, the hour will come when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.

John 16:2

Lord of Hosts,

Yesterday we prayed about enduring persecution. 

And yet, most of us praying these prayers cannot comprehend the type of persecution endured by many of your followers throughout the world. 

As our pastor pointed out, 

persecution is variable, 

and in many countries of the world, 

your followers are killed or imprisoned 

for being Christians. 

In some countries, those who are not killed 

are deported to labor camps 

as political criminals.** 

In many countries, 

churches are destroyed, 

and your followers experience 

severe discrimination and economic pressure. 

Lord, we ask your protection 

of these Christians 

who courageously live their faith 

in the face of severe persecution. 

Give them courage and endurance

as they cling to Christ their Savior 

for wisdom and hope. 

We pray that those trapped 

in state religions or false religions 

will see the light of Christ 

and respond to him as Lord and Savior.

We pray for children in oppressed countries, 

for their protection, 

that they might hear your Word 

and grow as your disciples.

We pray that we might be bold witnesses, 

faithful to pray 

and to share the hope 

you have given us through our Savior.

In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

For more information about the persecuted church worldwide, visit persecution.com and opendoors.org. 



A Prayer about Being Persecuted as a Christian

by | Nov 4, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth, Suffering

A Prayer about Being Persecuted as a Christian

‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…. John 15:20

Precious Jesus,

We admit, we really like to be liked. 

Reading that we will be hated and persecuted 

“because [we] are not of this world” 

unnerves us.* 

Strengthen us to bear persecution, 

for indeed, 

it will come to your followers.** 

Help us to remember that it is not personal, 

especially when family and friends 

mock or abandon us 

because we follow you. 

Help us to endure persecution 

through looking to you, 

the “author and perfecter of our faith,” 

“who for the joy set before him 

endured the cross, 

despising the shame, 

and is seated at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 12:2). 

And most of all, help us to remember 

that we are not alone 

as we face persecution, 

for we have the Helper, 

the Holy Spirit, 

whom you sent to us. 

The Spirit will give us the words 

and the courage we need; 

the Spirit will comfort us 

and bandage our wounds. 

Thank you for giving us all we need 

to endure 

until the day 

of no more mourning, 

no more pain, 

no more shame. 

Amen.

*Today is the international day of prayer for the persecuted church. We will pray about persecution today and tomorrow (and on an ongoing basis.)

**This prayer based on a sermon by our pastor, Joel Treick. You can listen here (Find October 23 sermon): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pinewoods-church/id1550803637.



A Prayer about Wisdom for Caregivers

by | Nov 3, 2023 | Caregiving, Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Wisdom for Caregivers

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6

Wise and Gracious Lord,

Thank you for the wisdom you give 

for all of life’s hard stories and tough decisions. 

Today we think of our caregiving friends, 

who face weighty decisions daily 

concerning their loved ones’ care. 

Which medicine to try, 

how to get their loved one to comply with doctor’s orders, 

whether to take the car keys or not, 

how long to continue trying new treatments….

the list goes on and on. 

We pray for them, 

that they would hear you answering their prayers, 

perhaps in the form of helpful and wise counselors 

who have been there before them 

or in the form of gentle and kind social workers 

who understand the situation. 

We pray that you would deploy us 

as answers to their prayers, 

simply by offering respite 

or picking up mail while they’re at the hospital, 

or performing a simple task 

like walking the dog or delivering a meal. 

We pray that you would show them 

your deep compassion and forgiveness, 

especially if they are feeling a sense of failing their loved ones. 

Lord, in their hard caregiving days, 

may they truly know the rest and kindness of Jesus, 

our constant and caring companion.

Amen.

Read Proverbs 2:6; Psalm 91:1, 16; Isaiah 25:6-8; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.



A Prayer about the God Who Guides Us

by | Nov 2, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the God Who Guides Us

For this is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Psalm 48:14

 

Our God, 

How great are you indeed! 

You were committed to dwelling with your people,

 and long ago, you chose to dwell 

in a man-made temple in a man-made city 

as the mighty King of your people (Psalm 48:1-3). 

Other kings caught one look at your might, 

panicked, and ran away (Psalm 48:5). 

Not only are you mighty, you are merciful. 

The people rejoice as they consider

your “steadfast love” and “righteousness” 

and wise “judgments” (Psalm 48:9-11) 

Long ago, your people told of your greatness 

to the next generation; 

today, we praise you, 

because you have deigned to make yourself 

our God, forever and ever. 

Not only are you our God, 

you are our guide, today and tomorrow, 

and to the end of our days. 

Even at the end of our days on this earth, 

in you, the end is only the beginning. 

One day, our great King Jesus will return, 

and we will dwell with you forever, 

secure and safe in the eternal joy 

of your everlasting kingdom. 

What reason for rejoicing! Amen.

Read Psalm 48.



A Prayer about Waiting for Recovery

by | Nov 1, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Waiting for Recovery

Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. Mark 9:24

Heavenly Father,

How this earthly father’s words resonate with us. 

He had likely lost all hope that his son, 

who was violently abused by an “unclean spirit,” 

would ever recover (Mark 9:17). 

And yet, he, like we, 

dared to hope that Jesus could help. 

He, like we, in our hopeless and discouragement, can only ask, 

“if you can do anything, 

have compassion on us and help us” (Mark 9:22). 

When Jesus responds, 

“Anything is possible if a person believes,” 

the father admits his ambivalence: 

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). 

Oh Lord, how we thank you 

that your healing work in our lives, 

whether healing of sin, 

healing of addiction, 

healing of illness, 

or healing of relationships, 

does not depend on our level of faith. 

Oh Lord, how we thank you 

that you are the faithful one 

who loves us deeply in our doubt. 

Oh Lord, how we thank you 

that we know the day of full and final healing 

is coming soon. 

In Jesus’ faithful name. Amen.  

Read Mark 9:14-29.