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A Prayer about the Laughter of Hope

by | Jun 22, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Joy, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Laughter of Hope

“God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me” (Genesis 21:6). 

Surprising Lord,

At some point, we’ve all felt the despair Sarah felt 

after years of waiting for the child you had promised, 

after any physiological hope for a baby was past, 

and if we’re honest, 

we’ve tried our own sinful fixes 

to get what we believe you want for us. 

And yet, Lord, you continue to pursue us. 

You come to Sarah (and us), 

you challenge her (and us): 

“Why did Sarah laugh and say, 

‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 

Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14). 

Like Sarah, we deny our denial of hope, 

but you are firm: 

“No, but you did laugh” (Genesis 18:15). 

Time goes by, 

and your seed of hope planted in us blooms 

into something beautiful, 

just as Sarah’s barren womb gave birth to Isaac. 

And we join Sarah in proclaiming, 

“God has made laughter for me; 

everyone who hears will laugh over me” (Genesis 21:6). 

Help us today to remember 

all of the times 

you have brought laughter out of our despair, 

and help us to hope again.

In Jesus’ surprising name. Amen. 

Read Genesis 16, 18, 21:1-7.



A Prayer about the Power of God’s Grace

by | Jun 18, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Power of God’s Grace

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Gracious Father,

Forgive me (us) for underestimating the power of your grace. 

Your grace is not a Southern woman with “nice manners.” 

Your grace is not a little token of appreciation. 

Your grace is not a souvenir from Switzerland.

Your grace is the powerful and profound gift 

of hauling a sinful people out of the suffocating mudpit 

of our own making. 

Your grace came at the high cost 

of the life of your perfectly righteous Son. 

Your grace not only paid the unpayable debt of our sin 

but also imparted to us the righteousness of your Son. 

Your grace is not a trickle little creek of grace 

but a glacier waterfall of grace

pouring over us and through us, 

carving the blunt edges off our rocky hearts 

until they soften into the shape 

of our loving Savior’s heart. 

Your grace will never run out 

and will finish its perfect work in us 

until the day our Savior returns.

Oh, Lord, may we never underestimate 

the profound power of your grace again. 

In Jesus’ grace-pouring name. Amen.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; John 1:16-17; Titus 2:11-14. 



A Prayer about Rejoicing in Suffering

by | Jun 16, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth, Suffering

A Prayer about Rejoicing in Suffering

Have you ever wondered how you can rejoice in suffering?

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…Romans 5:3-4.

Lord Jesus,

Yesterday we prayed about rejoicing 

“in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).

Today we need to face the fact that, 

for those who follow you, 

suffering is not only normal, 

but also a cause for rejoicing. 

That doesn’t really fit our American narrative, 

so help us by your Spirit to understand:

Suffering produces endurance: 

As we fix our eyes on you, 

the “founder and perfecter” of our faith 

who endured the cross for us (Hebrews 12:2), 

we are empowered by your Spirit to keep walking forward, 

one new mercy at a time.

Endurance produces character: 

Through suffering, you are making us “mature and complete” (James 1:4), 

people who are wise and compassionate, 

tender and strong comforters, 

people who don’t toss out spiritual Band-aids, 

people who listen carefully 

and give wise counsel at the right time.

Character produces hope: 

As you grow our endurance and character through suffering, 

we long even more for the future day 

when you will return and make all things new. 

This is the essence of hope, 

and it is a hope that will never disappoint (Romans 5:5).

In your suffering name. Amen.

Read Romans 5:1-5.



A Prayer about Becoming Trustworthy and True

by | Jun 4, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Becoming Trustworthy and True

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…Ephesians 4:15

Trustworthy and True Jesus,

Yesterday we prayed about 

your trustworthy, true nature.

Today, we ask that you would, 

by your Spirit, so unite us to yourself, 

that we become like you.

We want to be trustworthy and true people, 

dependable and honest. 

We want to be people who show up 

when we say we’ll be there. 

We want to be people 

who give advice 

infused with prayer and your wisdom. 

We want to be people who allow others

to rest and relax

because they feel safe and comfortable in our presence. 

In this world of uncertainty and unpredictability, 

make us carriers of your trustworthy and true nature. 

In your faithful name. Amen.

Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:1-32. 

A Prayer about Memorial Day

by | May 28, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Memorial Day

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. Ephesians 2:17

Almighty King,

Today in America we remember 

all who’ve served, fought, and died to bring peace to our country. 

Even as we honor these brave warriors, 

help us to remember 

the bravest and most sacrificial Warrior—

our true King Jesus.

He broke down the dividing wall of hostility 

that separated us from you 

and separated us from others (Ephesians 2:14-16). 

He won the war against sin in our hearts, 

freeing us to serve him, the Prince of Peace 

who died for us and defeated death once and for all (Revelation 1:18).

Help us to live as citizens of your kingdom, 

as bold and gentle warriors 

of your mercy, humility, love, and peace.

In Jesus’ peace-winning name. Amen. 

Read Ephesians 2:11-22.

A Prayer about the Helper We Need

by | May 27, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about the Helper We Need

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. John 14:16

Lord Jesus,

You gently but firmly assured your disciples 

that you would leave them a “Helper,” 

the Holy Spirit, 

when you left this earth. 

And yet, I confess,

I often forget or ignore the generous help of the Spirit. 

Among other things:

Your Holy Spirit offers the wisest counsel 

but never tries to fix us with trite advice (John 14:16).

Your Holy Spirit transforms our suffering 

for your glory and our good (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

Your Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers 

for the building and blessing of your church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

Your Holy Spirit prays for us, 

giving us the words to pray 

when our tongues are mute (Romans 8:26).

Open our eyes today, 

to see the Helper we have in the Spirit. 

Draw us to lean into this help, 

to know that we are never alone.

In your kind name. Amen. 

Read John 14:16, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Romans 8:26.