- Character – God is more concerned about our character than our comfort. Pray for men to allow God to forge their character no matter the circumstances. We are being conformed to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:26-29)
- Self-life – God deliberately attacks the self-life in us. Where there is self, there is the pain of ego and pride. Pray for men to surrender to the nails God uses to crucify self-life so that we can be more Christ-like. (Galatians 5:24)
- Trichotomy – Man is a triune being, created in the image of God Genesis 1:27). We are spirit, soul, body (1 Timothy 5:23). Pray for men to be intentional about cultivating balance and health on all three levels: spiritual depth, emotional health, physical exercise.
- Temptation- Instead of worrying about temptations that lie ahead, pray for men to be faithful to God in this moment, in the present, now. If we are loyal to God in the here and now, it doesn’t feel so overwhelming. Let us honor God in this, and then in this, and then in this, as Enoch walked with God, as Jesus exemplified. (Genesis 5:24)
- Reputation – My character is who I am, my reputation is who others say I| am. D.L. Moody said if we take care of our character, our reputation will take care of itself. Pray that men will be godly in private as well as public. God said to Abraham, “Walk before Me and be thou perfect (mature, complete). (Genesis 17:1)
- Who are we? – Not what we have, nor what we do or know, but who we are is what matters most. Therefore: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be a man of courage; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13,14). Pray for the character of Christ to be reflected through your behaviour and relationships.
- Giving thanks – “He who sacrifices thanks offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God” (Psalms 50:23). Thanksgiving, despite my concerns and difficulties, is the expression of my trust towards God. He rewards us if we honor Him this way.
- Do you truly love me? – “Do you truly love me” (John 21:15-17). The resurrected Christ asked Simon Peter three times this question, after he had failed him miserably. It is exactly this same question the Lord will ask us when we have failed him. He wants to use again if we are ready to answer like Peter.
- Mercy – “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). Our love for God reveals itself in the way we deal with our neighbor. Let’s test ourselves and see if we practice love, mercy and faithfulness in our relationships.
- Sharing – “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28). Not greed, but generosity should determine our life. Am I ready to ask the question “Who owns my money?”
- Erotism -“Let him kiss me with the kisses auf his mouth – for your love is more delightful than wine” (Song of Solomon 1:2). The beauty of erotism is God’s gift for the relationship between husband and wife. We live in a fallen, world. But through the grace of God even our most intimate relationship can be healed.
- Personality – The most important decision for a Christian is the surrender of his will to God. The Holy Spirit wants to change and purify the different characteristics of our behavior, or personality. Therefore: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. (Romans 12:2)
- Temperaments – Independent of the kind of fundamental personality type you assume for yourself, if choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic our melancholic, what matters is that you allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in you: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. (Galatians 5:22.23)
- New Identity – “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Amazing!! Praise the Lord! It is through humble faith, by accepting the gift of salvation through the atoning death of Christ on the cross, that we receive the new identity as Children of God.
- Weakness becomes power – “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on, me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our weaknesses are God’s opportunities to show His power! Praise Him therefore no matter what!
- Crumbling Foundations – “Dear God, all of the human foundations are crumbling. There is nothing in this world upon which to depend. What hope is there for me? I know that You are the Almighty God-unbreakable and unshakeable. Therefore, I will build my life upon You. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being my firm foundation!” (Psalms 11:3.4)
- The secret for living – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life that I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). The secret to live the Christian life is to allow Christ to live in and through us. Listen to His Word and seek Him in prayer.
- Performance – “Dear God, my performance problems have continued even though I have been saved. I thought I had to do good. I understand that You are the Source of all goodness. Now I realize that You live in me to perform Your good works through me. Thank You for solving my performance problem!” (Philippians 1:6)
- God keeps his promise – “Dear Lord, You are the Almighty God so nothing is too hard for you. You took care of Abraham, just as You promised. You have also promised to take care of me, although this is sometimes hard for me to believe that You will. Strengthen my faith to believe You despite the obstacles.” (Romans 4:21)
- God is faithful – “Heavenly Father, Your track record of faithfulness is impeccable. You always keep your word. You do what you say. But sometimes ! falter and fail. But, even when I am unfaithful, you remain faithful. Truly, I can trust you with my life. Cause me to trust you regardless of my human senses.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
- God’s love-“Father God, thank you for loving me so much. Your Word tells me how You sent Jesus Christ to die for me in order that You might give Yourself to me, so that You could live Your life through me. Cause me to realize, believe and receive Your unconditional love. Then I will be able to live and love through You!” (1 John 4:8.9)
- Cowards, faithless, … – The prince of this world is the adversary of God’s truth. Jesus called him a lier from the beginning. It’s so much easier to avoid confrontation when God’s truth and his lies clash. But the Bible warns us. We must take a position. “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, ..their place will be in the fiery lake.”
- Lack of knowledge – “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priest…” (Hosea 4:6). As Israel in the past, so today each Christian is called to be God’s representative to a world in need. Be a man of prayer, study Scripture and live and share God’s truth.
- Shepherdse – “Woe to the shepherds who take care only of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?” (Ezekiel 34:2) Shepherds are leaders who have the oversight of the flock. As husband and father, we have been given the responsibility to care for our wife and children. Be a man who meets God’s approval.
- Godly men – “Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men” (Psalms 12:1). Recently a dear, godly friend passed away and I was reminded of this word from David about 1000 years BC. There are so few who are men of integrity and who live their faith, whatever the cost. Pray to be a godly man!
- Guidance – To instruct “a child in the way he should go” requires perseverance and patience (Proverbs 22.6). As parents we need grace and wisdom to bring up our children in the fear of the Lord, so that even when they get older, they won’t stray from the path. – Thank you, Lord, that we can count on your help.
- Sustenance – “For you shall eat of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and all shall be well with you” (Psalms 128:2). Let’s pray for men who are unemployed. We intercede today that doors may open for them with decent work. So that they will be able to provide adequate sustenance for the family.
- Wife – Faithfulness, purity and dignity seem to be words in disuse. But for the Christian husband, the biblical teaching applies: “Rejoice in the wife you have had from youth”. (Proverbs 5.18). Lord, thank you for your Spirit who warns us and helps us to overcome temptations and honor our wives.
- Children -“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and fathers are the pride of their children”. (Proverbs 17.6) Healthy coexistence between generations in the same family is the fruit of a relationship that is cultivated over the years. Heavenly Father, teach us as fathers to be wise and this point of balance in our families.
- Worship -“I rejoiced when they said to me, let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psalms 122.1) King David rejoiced when he was invited to worship the Lord with the rest of God’s children. Churches need men who go and invite their families to worship the Lord together. Lord, may I inspire others to celebrate the Lord with me
