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A Prayer about Radical Transformation

by | Nov 24, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living, Prayer

A Prayer about Radical Transformation

But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Acts 8:3

Merciful God,

How good it is to read straight through the Bible 

because we return to radical redemption stories 

we might otherwise forget. 

This past week my reading took me back to this short paragraph 

about the persecution of the early church 

by a “Pharisee of Pharisees” 

who would soon become the apostle Paul, 

the man who wrote much of the New Testament. 

Show us through the true story of a man like Paul 

just how revolutionary the change in us, 

the change in others is, 

through the work of your Holy Spirit. 

A murderer becomes a missionary.

An addict becomes your adorer.

A grump becomes a gracious grandpa.

A sourpuss becomes a sweet servant.

Transforming Lord, 

give us a glimpse of what we might have become 

if we were not united with Christ 

so that we might have hope 

for those we might otherwise dismiss as hopeless. 

Show us the “Sauls” in our lives, 

that we may pray for them, 

that we may go to them, 

that they might have a life-changing encounter 

with Jesus. 

And while you’re at it, 

would you please give us a glimpse of the glory 

that awaits us 

when we see Jesus face to face 

and are truly made like him?

In Jesus’ transforming name. Amen.

Read Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:1-31.

 

A Prayer about the Savior Who Prays for Us

by | Oct 22, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Prayer

A Prayer about the Savior Who Prays for Us

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

Heavenly Father,

We admit, we don’t often think about what Christ is doing right now, 

seated on the throne next to you, 

interceding for us. 

We don’t use the word “intercession” very often, 

so we’re not fully sure what it means, 

but pastor Dane Ortlund helps us here, 

comparing it to when a parent intercedes on behalf of a child to a teacher*. 

But then we wonder, 

if Jesus has to intercede for us to you, 

does that mean you’re not fully satisfied 

with the atoning work of the cross? 

Again, Ortlund helps us here, 

reminding us that your “deepest delight 

is to say yes to the Son’s pleading on our behalf.”*

What good news it is 

to know that our Savior intercedes for us—

when we doubt that you love us 

because we keep repeating a sinful habit, 

we hear that Jesus “is able to save to the uttermost” — 

completely, fully, forever. 

When we’ve done it again,

Jesus is interceding for us, 

“[turning your] eyes to his own righteousness.”** 

When we forget to pray, 

Jesus is always, 

every moment, 

praying for us. 

May this incredibly good news 

send us to our knees in gratitude, in hope, in love.

In Jesus’ ever-praying name. Amen. 

 

This entire prayer was inspired and informed by Chapter 8 of Dane Ortlund’s book Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers.

*Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, 79.

**John Calvin, in Gentle and Lowly, 83.

 

A Prayer about When God Seems Silent

by | Oct 18, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Grief, Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about When God Seems Silent

To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, do not be deaf to me, For if you are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit. Psalm 28:1

Merciful God,

We beg you, do not be silent. 

Hear our prayers, 

and speak your gracious response. 

We confess, at times, 

we feel we have prayed and prayed and prayed, 

maybe about a loved one’s illness or our own, 

about the need for a job, 

or about the longing for a spouse or a child or a loved one’s salvation, 

and we think we’re listening, 

but we hear nothing. 

We urge you, 

“Hear the voice of our pleas for mercy, 

when we cry to you for help, 

when we lift our hands 

toward your most holy sanctuary” (Ps. 28:2). 

Lord, thank you for the thousands of words 

you’ve given us in your Word 

that answer us 

when we can’t hear the answer in our lives. 

Your Word gives voice to our lament. 

Your Word reminds us 

that you are always “the strength of your people…

the saving refuge of your anointed.” 

Because of your Word become flesh, 

our Savior Jesus, 

we have heard an answer to all of our prayers, 

“It is finished” (John 19:30). 

You have taken us for your own, 

and one day, we will be with you, 

and our desperate need for an answer 

will slip away in the sound of your welcoming voice.

In Jesus’ hope-giving name. Amen.

Read Psalm 28. 

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A Prayer about Being a New Parent

by | Oct 16, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Parenting, Prayer

A Prayer about Being a New Parent

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3

Gracious Father,

With one grandson born in February 

and two more grand babies on the way any day now, 

I’m frequently thinking about the early days of parenting.

Parenting new little ones or new big ones 

is such a whirlwind, 

and we lift these new parents up to you.

New parents are filled with awe at these creations, 

and they know that children are indeed a “reward,” 

a gift, a kindness, an undeserved blessing from you. 

New parents marvel that you would choose them 

to steward your gift of a precious child. 

And at the same time, 

new parents can be overwhelmed by the responsibility. 

Oh, Lord, have mercy on these new parents. 

Help them to remember the truth, 

“Unless the Lord builds the house, 

those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). 

Help them to know that they are never alone 

in this parenting process, 

that as surely as you gave them children, 

you will love them, nurture them, and teach them, 

as the good good Father that you are. 

Help these new parents to make it a habit 

to turn to you 

when they don’t know what to do, 

and show them the way by your Spirit. 

Help these new parents to seek you 

when they can’t figure out 

how to get their jobs done 

and be the parents they want to be. 

Help them to know 

that parenting is frequently about learning to be your child, 

to depend on you as we never have before. 

In the name of your Son, our Savior, we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 127. 

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A Prayer about Asking Wrongly

by | Oct 13, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living, Prayer, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Asking Wrongly

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:3

Generous Father,

As we continue to consider the difference 

between living out of the world’s wisdom 

or your wisdom, 

we see how the world’s wisdom 

hinders our prayers. 

If “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” 

drive us, then we quarrel and fight, 

we go to war with one another. 

We even murder, James says (James 4:2).

If we become murderous in our thoughts 

and demanding in our desires, 

we won’t even dare to approach you 

to ask about them. 

We know something is off. 

If we do ask from such a state, 

we probably won’t receive (James 4:3),

because why would you hand 

a murderous, power-hungry woman 

a sword to commit the crime? 

There is only one hope 

for our bitter jealousy and selfish ambition: 

“[You] give more grace. 

[You] oppose the proud, 

but give grace to the humble” (James 4:6). 

May we indeed in all of our prayer, 

submit ourselves to you, draw near to you, 

and resist the devil, that he may flee from us. 

As we humble ourselves before you, 

you do the most amazing thing—

you exalt us (James 4:7-10). 

Thank you for your incomprehensible grace, 

saving Lord. Amen.

Read James 4:1-10. 

A Prayer about Confessing Our Sins

by | Oct 3, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Prayer

A Prayer about Confessing Our Sins

Let your ear be attentive, and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night…confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Nehemiah 1:6

Great and Awesome God,

Again we come to you with the words of Nehemiah, 

who is teaching us to pray.

We, like Nehemiah, 

answer you with your assuring Word, 

reminding you of your covenant promises 

of steadfast love. 

Like Nehemiah, 

we need to confess our sins to you, 

our own sins and the sins of “the people,” 

which belong to us as the body of Christ.

Unlike Nehemiah, 

we who are covenant-breakers 

have even greater assurance 

of your forgiveness for our sins—

“how much more will the blood of Christ, 

who through the eternal Spirit 

offered himself without blemish to God, 

purify our conscience 

from dead works 

to serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14).

Because of our covenant-keeping Savior, 

we have the confidence 

to approach your throne of grace,

to find the mercy and grace we need (Hebrews 4:16). 

As we name your steadfast love 

and confess our sins, 

may our hope swell 

and our vision of redemption sharpen, 

sending us out to love 

all who are in “great trouble and shame.”

In Jesus’ atoning name. Amen.

Read Nehemiah 1:1-11.