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A Prayer about Jesus’ Tears

by | Dec 29, 2021 | Christmas, Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Jesus’ Tears

Generous Father,

Even though the day most people exchange gifts 

has come and gone,

 or maybe especially because that day 

has come and gone, it’s a good time 

to contemplate this baby in the manger. 

Many of us love the Christmas lullaby 

“Away in a Manger,” 

but I do think the authors got one thing wrong: 

“The little Lord Jesus, 

no crying he makes….” 

That can’t be right.

Babies cry. 

They express their need for food, 

clean diapers, 

and sleep 

by crying. 

Jesus was fully human, 

and he likely cried when he was a baby, 

especially if cows were mooing in his ear. 

Heavenly Father, may we never forget Jesus’ true humanity, 

but also may we believe in his deep sympathy, 

his passion for and with us. 

Not only did he cry as a baby, 

he wept as a man 

over his friend Lazarus’ death. 

He came to reverse the curse of sin 

by submitting to death on a cross. 

He sweated blood  

as he agonized in the garden 

over his impending death. 

Yes, Lord, Jesus wept. 

May we affirm the cries of the baby Jesus 

and may we trace the tears of our Savior. 

In his sacrificial name we pray. Amen. 

Read John 11:28-44; Luke 22:39-46.

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A Prayer about Feeling Lonely during the Holidays

by | Nov 23, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Feeling Lonely during the Holidays

Very-Near Lord,

There’s nothing like the holidays 

to make those who are grieving 

feel a little lonely and forsaken. 

People may be mingling in our home, 

and yet we feel more deserted 

than a mall on Christmas morning. 

Or, we may be truly alone,

 because we can’t summon the energy 

to make small talk at Friendsgiving. 

In such seasons, 

may we know your nearness and commitment 

to never leave us nor forsake us. 

May we remember that there was One 

who knew a loneliness even deeper than ours 

when he submitted to dying for our sins 

that we might be reunited with our Heavenly Father. 

In our season of feeling lonely and forsaken, 

may we lean hard into the covenantal kindness 

of the Son through your Spirit, 

our constant companion in grief and sorrow. 

In Jesus’ forsaken name. Amen.

Read Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 54. 

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!

A Prayer for When Someone Harms Us

by | Oct 26, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer for When Someone Harms Us

Father God,

It’s hard to know how to react when someone 

deliberately harms, betrays, or abuses us. 

Thank you for reminding us 

through the story of Joseph, 

whose story foreshadows 

the true story of our Savior,

that even brutal betrayal by loved ones 

can be redeemed for your good purposes. 

Help us to bring all of our tears and pain to you, 

because you care about them. 

Help us to trace your redemption 

through the harm we have suffered. 

And help us to pray for those who persecute us, 

that they might bow before you 

and know full and freeing forgiveness. 

In Jesus’ redeeming name. Amen.

Read Genesis 50:20; Psalm 109:21-31. 

A Prayer about Light in Dark Days

by | Oct 23, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Light in Dark Days

Son of Righteousness, 

In these dark and distressing days, 

many are feeling the  “gloom of anguish”—

grief over lost loved ones; 

sorrow over meanness and division, 

weariness over work frustrations…

In this stark dark season, 

we embrace the good news

 Isaiah gave people long long ago. 

Isaiah promised a brilliant light 

would shine into the darkness 

of the Israelites’ captivity.

We have seen this light, 

the “life that was the light of men” (John 1:4), 

You are the “light that darkness cannot overcome” (John 1:5). 

You make our burdens light 

by shouldering our sin 

and throwing off our oppressors (Isaiah 9:4). 

You instill peace in our hearts 

by burning the weapons of war 

and restoring order to chaos and confusion (Isaiah 9:5). 

You shine glory into the cosmos 

from your everlasting crown 

which rules over nations 

and draws multitudes to bow before you (Isaiah 9:3,7). 

Sun of Righteousness, 

draw our eyes to the horizon of hope, 

that we may see you rising 

with healing in your wings (Malachi 4:2). 

In your light and life-giving name. Amen. 

Read Isaiah 9:1-7; John 1:1-18. 

A Prayer for When We’re Overburdened

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer for When We’re Overburdened

God of All Comfort,

Thank you! 

You know we are plagued

by weakness and weariness.

You know our world demands

that we be strong, independent, 

powerful, competent. 

You know some Christians boast, 

“I can do all things through Christ 

who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13), 

but we feel inadequate. 

Thank you for Paul’s honesty about his weakness 

in the face of “deadly peril,” 

“a thorn in the flesh,” 

and countless other threats. 

Lord, for those of us who “despair of life itself,” 

may our weakness drive us straight into your strength. 

May our weakness teach us 

to “rely not on ourselves but the God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9). 

When we feel overburdened,

whether from a shipwreck of relationship,

the shadow of sickness

or the shouting accusation of failure,

may we remember 

that you have you have already delivered us 

from the “deadly peril” of sin and death, 

and that you will continue to deliver us,

until the day you return. 

In your trustworthy name. Amen.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.

A Prayer about Praying Lament Back to God

by | Oct 8, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Praying Lament Back to God

Today, we are praying one of the lament Psalms back to God. Maybe you are hurting, or maybe you know someone who is. Sometimes when we’re hurting, we are afraid to be honest with God. The Psalms of lament can help us know what to say in such a time. 

How long, O Lord? (Psalm 13:1)

Lord, it feels like we’ve been waiting forever for …

[Name what you have been waiting for: e.g. my husband to get a new job, our son to return to the Lord, a viable pregnancy…]

Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)

I hate to admit it, 

but sometimes I wonder if you have forgotten me. 

Sometimes, even though the Bible says 

“You are with me,” 

it feels like you’re hiding your face from me.

[Name how you feel forgotten or as if God is absent.]

How long must I take counsel 

in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? (Psalm 13:2)

Father, it just feels like the tears will never dry, 

the days of wanting to stay in bed will never end, 

the heartache will never be less intense.

Will you ever return joy to my heart?

[Name your sorrow and pain.]

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Lord, I don’t understand why you’re allowing evil people to have so much goodness in their lives. Why don’t other people see the truth about the person who betrayed and abused me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; 

light up my eyes,

 lest I sleep the sleep of death, 

lest my enemy say, 

“I have prevailed over him,” 

lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 

Lord, please send me a word, a verse, a sign, a friend that reminds me 

you will redeem this broken story 

[Name the broken story…

e.g. that you will rescue me from a destructive relationship, 

that you will heal my disease, 

that you will defeat the obstacles in the way of a healthy pregnancy 

or that you will help me be at peace with not having my own biological children….]

I feel like I’m going to die from the pain.

Lord, rescue again, so the enemy cannot say, “I’ve beaten her. I’ve won,” 

because we know in Christ that you have won the victory. 

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; 

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 

Lord, I know you. I’ve seen you rescue in my life; 

I know that Jesus died on the cross because you loved us so. 

I know that your love will sustain me. 

And because of your love that changes everything, 

I can at least rejoice 

because I am saved from sin and death, 

and one day I will live with you forever. 

I will sing to the Lord, 

because he has dealt bountifully with me.”

Even though I hurt so badly right now, 

I know that you have blessed me abundantly in Christ, 

and in my life, giving me so many good things — 

[Name some of the good things…

e.g. friends who love me, a faithful husband, wise doctors and nurses, a supportive church…] 

Thank you for all of the ways 

you have provided for me in the midst of this terrible time. 

In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 13.

Holy Father,

How can we be your children and yet deploy our words as wicked weapons?

How unlike our holy Father who delights in his precious image-bearers.

We confess, 

when we are not rooted in your steadfast love, 

immersed in your Word, 

we can so quickly and rashly 

wield words that wound others. 

Help us to spend some time 

thinking through our words, 

asking, “Are my words full of deadly poison? 

If I type this comment, 

send this email, 

make this remark, 

will it hurt someone’s feelings?

If I share this rant, 

could someone feel guilty 

or ashamed 

or angry

or sad?” 

Change us, Lord, 

conforming us to the image of your Son,

because we know that our tongue tendencies 

are deeply rooted in sinful selves. 

Only through the love 

of your Son, 

only through the transforming power 

of the Holy Spirit, 

can we learn to speak words 

of wisdom, truth, and kindness. 

In Jesus’ kind name. Amen.

Read James 3:1-12.