1. A Norwegian priest often asks men preparing to marry: “What do you think you are going to tell your friends about your wife 15 years from now? Will you still talk nicely about her?” Let us pray that God will help us to always love our loved ones, continuously renewing the “first love” in our hearts (Ephesians 5:28)!
2. In his first letter, Peter says: “Keep a clear mind. Control yourselves” (1 Peter 4:7). We all need God’s help to succeed in this, and, praise the Lord, he is always there to help us whenever we turn to him.
3. “The Word of God is living and active. It is sharper than any sword that has two edges” (Hebrews 4:12). How sad it is that many Bibles are just collecting dust on various bookshelves. How about your Bible? Make time to read God’s Word and allow for the Lord to speak to your heart.
4. Ezra had committed himself to study and obey the law of the Lord (Ezra 7:10). As a result, the gracious hand of his God helped him. Pray that God will give us the same kind of love for his Word.
5. Titus reminds us in his letter: Do what is good. Set an example for them in everything. When you teach, be honest and serious (Titus 2:7). Let us pray today that God will grant us the ability to live our lives according to this standard.
6. Oh Lord, the struggles are hard and the pressures are great. The more I try to do good, the more I fail miserably. Lord, I recognize that my flesh (my human strength and abilities) does not have the capacity to produce “good.” I admit that I cannot live the Christian life. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18).
7. Dear Lord Jesus, I thought I was doing good, but now I realize that the source of all true goodness comes from you alone. I confess that any good I have accomplished is mere filthy rags. I trust you to do good through me as you live your life in me. “Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. … With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:17, 26).
8. Lord Jesus, I am grateful that you began your good work in me when I was born again of your Spirit. Thank you for making me one with Christ, who is the source of all goodness. I believe you live in me to perform your good works through me. Therefore, I now trust you to live your good and perfect life through me. “He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
9. Dear God, your grace is truly amazing! First, you gave Christ to me. And now that you indwell me, you empower me for living. You have given me both the desire and the ability to do what pleases you. Thank you for your good and perfect work in me! “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
10. My wonderful Lord, I recognize that everything originates with you and is sustained by you. You have made me and blessed me in Christ with abundant resources for living life. I ask you to work through me so that my life might glorify you. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).
11. Men need wisdom from God to lead their families well. Pray that men will seek the wisdom that comes from God’s Word, especially the book of Proverbs. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).
12. Christ has become wisdom for us. Pray that men will allow Christ to live his wisdom though them in the abiding life depicted in John 15. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
13. God promises wisdom to those who pray for it. Pray that men will learn to ask God for wisdom on a regular basis, in every situation. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
14. Knowledge is not wisdom. Knowledge can breed pride. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge made applicable in given situations. Pray for men to know the difference and live wisely. “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” (1 Corinthians 8:1b).
15. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. Pray for men to discard the wisdom of this world for the true wisdom that comes from the Lord. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).
16. On many occasions Jesus showed compassion for people. Many fathers, however, believe showing compassion makes them weak. Pray that men will use God’s example and have biblical compassion for their children. “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13).
17. When a father is angry, his discipline of the children can sometimes become abusive. Pray for men to deal with their anger and always discipline their children in a God-honoring way (Hebrews 12:7).
18. Peter wrote to husbands, “Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life” (1 Peter 3:7). Pray that men will appreciate, honor and love their wives as God intended.
19. The responsibilities of being a husband and father can be overwhelming. This can cause men to feel inadequate for the tasks. But James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:5). Pray that men will turn to God for the wisdom they need to be godly men in their homes.
20. Men face many temptations. When life gets difficult, one temptation is to give up on their wives and families. Pray that God will shield them from Satan’s attacks in this area, that he will encourage them and open their eyes to the safe escape he has provided for them from this temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
21. A father needs to know biblical truth so he can teach that truth to his children. Pray that God will equip fathers to help their children gain a strong understanding of the Bible (Proverbs 4:1).
22. Love rejoices with the truth. Pray that husbands will be truthful with their wives in how they are handling family money and other resources. Love ”does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:4-6).
23. Many men believe they can view pornography and still honor their wives, but God is a witness against them. Pray that God will bring these husbands to repentance over their sexual sin (Malachi 2:14).
24. When Jesus washed the apostles’ feet, they were shocked. However, Jesus was teaching that leaders should serve. Pray that husbands and fathers will heed Jesus’ lesson by serving humbly around the home. “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).
25. May the Lord grant you a glimpse of his wonderful face as you look up to Jesus.
Paul encourages us to rejoice always. This can be hard for men who are struggling to provide for their families. Pray that the Lord will lighten their burdens and produce a joy in their hearts that inspires their families (Philippians 4:4).
26. Religious fanatics consider Christians as “soft targets.” In fact, Jesus told his disciples that they are like sheep among wolves and that they would be hated for his name’s sake. At the same time, he warned them to be wise like serpents and innocent like doves. Pray for discernment in your relationships and “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
27. It is God who establishes authorities (Romans 13:1). Our responsibility is to pray for the government (1 Timothy 2:1.2). Make it a point to pray for the men and women in leadership in your country, state and town. “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing” (1 Timothy 2:8).
28. TWR’s men’s ministry is blessed with the coming of Lonnie Berger, founder and president of Every Man a Warrior, to sit on the board. Pray for Lonnie as he plans to join TWR in a few months. Pray also for him and Edmund Spieker as they prepare for meetings in Brazil in October to field-test the EMAW discipleship model with different churches and ministries (Ephesians 6:19).
29. When the rich ruler encountered Christ, he was unwilling to let go of his wealth and fame so that he could embrace the gospel (Mark 10:22). But because rich and famous C.T. Studd encountered Christ, his life was to achieve an eternal purpose. He became a missionary to China, India and Africa. His challenging words continue to be a powerful reminder to all of us: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last” (Mark 8:36).
30. Praise the Lord for the many men who listen to the programs of Champions Arise in nine languages. “My husband began to use it for the men in church. The group is listening to the program and then discusses the topic,” writes a pastor’s wife from eastern Ukraine. Pray that many men will tune in to championsarise.org and discover God’s way to lead their families and to live a life with purpose (2 Timothy 2:15).
