1. Provision – It is the Lord, who enables us to work diligently. Through our dedication there will be sustenance in our home. Pray to be a man who cares for his family and who prudently manages his possessions (Pr 21:5).
2. Accommodation – When Adam was tempted in the Garden of Eden, he was first passive and then he hid himself. Pray to be a man who assumes the proper posture as a spiritual leader in his family. The Bible challenges us not to accommodate ourselves to the world’s way of life (Ro 12:2).
3. A prudent son – We will never stop being ‘sons’, even in old age. Throughout life’s journey we will give evidence if we “heed the instruction of our father” (Pr 3:1.2). Faithfulness will bring “favor and good understanding before God and men” (v.4). – 0 Lord, give me perseverance to follow Your teachings.
4. The next generation – The book of Judges tells us that a generation failed to tell the next one about God and what they had experienced with him (Jdg 10:2). Share with your children and the next generation what God did in your life. It is our privilege, and duty.
5. Purity – Our God is holy and zealous about the purity and holiness of His children. One way to demonstrate this holiness is by maintaining a relationship of love and respect in our marriages. Pornography is destroying marriages and homes. Resist the temptation! Keep the marriage bed honored and pure (Heb 13:4).
6. Not WHAT but WHO you know – “Oh Lord, I thought I knew You. But now, I realize that much of my knowledge about you was purely intellectual. I certainly don’t know You as the Apostle Paul did. Cause me to experience Christ as my life in every area of my being. Thank You for allowing me to know You!” (2Ti 1:12)
7. Casting cares – “Dear Lord, I seem to have so many cares. There is always something that is bothering me. I am so glad that You care for me. Thank You for inviting me to cast my cares upon You. Therefore, I give You all the care and keeping of my life; everything I am and have I entrust to You.” (1 Pe 5:7)
8. The Good Shepherd – “Dear Lord, sometimes I feel like a dumb sheep, just wandering around trying to figure things out. Thank You for offering to be my Shepherd and to lead me in the right path. You, the good Shepherd, gave Your life for me, so I now give my life to You. I submit myself to Your care.” (Jn 10:11)
9. God’s protective presence – “Oh Lord, with all the problems in my life, I am so glad You are here for me. Lord Jesus, You came into my life, not just to be my helper but also to be my Lord, my life, and my all. You are now my refuge—my hiding place—because my life is hidden in Christ. Thank You, Lord!” (Ps 46:1)
10. Divine receptacles – “Oh Lord, I have been trying to meet my needs and solve my problems by force—using my human strength. That has not worked! I now understand that Your kingdom operates by grace through faith. I believe and therefore I receive. Thank You for allowing me to be a divine receptacle. (Mt 11:14)
11. No anxiety – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Php 4:6). When I give thanks, I trust God to take care of my need. That honors God and gives me inner rest.
12. Loving God – “Whoever has my commandments and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my father, and I too will love him and show myself to him” (Jn 14:21). Our daily life reveals if we love God and follow his Word. God is pleased when we do so and will fill us with profound joy.
13. Living forgiveness – “…as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12). When someone becomes guilty towards us, we can identify the evil and take it to the cross. There Jesus gave his life for every sin. This way He makes us free to forgive and even to love that person.
14. Increase the blessing – “I will bless those who bless you, … and all peoples on earth shall be blessed through you” (Gen 12:3). God’s promise to Abraham is still valid for His people. To receive and to pass his on his blessings enriches our lives. As a Christian you are a steward of the gift God entrusted you with.
15. Alternative – The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are being fed by the same Jordan river. The Sea of Galilee is full of life, while the Dead Sea is just dead. Receiving and passing on provides life. That is the lesson of Gen 12:3 and the reminder of the sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. With whom do you compare?
16. Delight and passion – “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 37:4). When I seek fulfillment in passion and sex, I am an idolater and end in frustration. But when the Lord is my delight, He can bless my marriage with sexual fulfillment.
17. Men of Peace – In these days of uncertainty, pray for men to lead their families in the way of peace. If we are to be men of peace, we must personally have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ro 5:1)
18. Men of the Word – Men of peace are men of the Word. Pray for men to be intentional about their daily time in the Word of God, where true peace is found. (Jn 14:27)
19. Men filled with Jesus – Jesus said: “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Pray for us men to be so full of Jesus that His peace will flow from us. (Jn 16:33)
20. Men of balance – Pray for men to be balanced in how much intake of the media comes into the mind as opposed to how much of the Bible we are feeding upon. Hope is not found in the world, but rather in the promises of God. (Ro 10:17)
21. Men of joy – The joy of the Lord is our strength. Even in troublesome times, our joy remains in the Lord, not in this fading world. Pray for men to find their joy and strength in God. (Ne 8:10)
22. Be on your guard – The prince of this world is the enemy of God and his children. The Bible alerts us to be on our guard (1Cor 16:13). Meditate on His word and pray for the renewal of your mind. Watch your motives and resist the urges of your natural inclinations. Be prepared to honor your Savior at any cost.
23. Standing up for truth – Jesus called the devil, the father of lies. No wonder, that our world rejects absolute truth and resists the message of the Bible. Truth is a person. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me” (Jn 14:6). Allow Jesus to live through your life.
24. You are vulnerable – “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (1Cor 10;12). All men are vulnerable to failure. But to the humble God gives grace. Therefore, be kind and understanding as you relate to your spouse and children and trust the Lord to keep you from falling.
25. Facing defeat – “For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity” (Prov 24:16). Even a person made righteous in Christ, remains vulnerable to the temptation of the world, the flesh and the devil. If you have fallen in sin, repent and accept God’s forgiveness. (1Jn 1:9)
26. Accepting limitations – “For my power is made perfect in weakness” (2Cor 12:9b). As man we are tempted to show off our biceps and strength. But the flesh is of no value before God. Only when we accept our weakness and limitations and become dependent on the Lord, can he transform us into useful servants.
27. Trusting in the dark – War, destruction, fear, sickness and death can make life very dark. But Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, trust Jesus! He will give you light, even in the dark.
28. Building the wall – “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall…” (Eze 22:30). A man is called to be the leader and protector of his family. Walls protect for the invasion of the enemy. Help your family members to have sound boundaries in their relationships and help them establish godly priorities.
29. Standing in the gap – “And stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land…” (Eze 22:30). God wants to hear from men who intercede for their family, church and nation. Moses was a faithful intercessor for the rebellious people of Israel. The Bible tells us to pray for those in authority over us. You can make the difference!
30. Praying with faith – “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (Jas 5:16b). God is able to hear the desperate cry of anyone. But the promise of God’s answer is to those who have been made righteous through faith in Jesus. Be a man who allows the Lord to rule every area of your life and pray with faith.
31. Be determined – “If your right eye causes you so sin, gouge it out…if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off… (Mt 5:27-30)! Jesus challenges men to go to the extreme in resisting sexual sin. Millions of websites are promoting immorality. Many Christian men are enslaved to pornography. Be determined to be free and resist.
