- God is in control – No matter what happens in your life, remember that God is in control. There has never been panic in heaven, and there never will be. Thank him for his love and concern. (Ps. 71:6)
- Be discerning – According to the Bible, the evil one himself will often appear in disguise (2 Cor. 11:14), and he is never more dangerous than when he appears masquerading as an angel of light. Pray that our Lord, by his Holy Spirit, will equip more believers with the ability to distinguish between the spirits. (1 John 4:1)
- Stay focused – Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:38). Give thanks today that the Lord keeps this promise by giving the Holy Spirit to all his followers.
- Be realistic – If you think that you deserve to be saved, while others don’t, you should think twice. According to God’s Word, we are all sinners. Thank God that he in his mercy has saved sinners like you and me. (Rom. 3:22-24)
- Passion for souls – The greatest privilege you can have as a follower of Christ is to bring other people into his presence. Pray today that you will be given the privilege of leading other sinners to Christ. (James 5:20)
- Trust God – Job security is rarely guaranteed these days. Pray that fathers will model for their children faithful dependence on God for all family needs. (Matt. 6:34)
- Honor the Lord – Pray for husbands and fathers to do their best in the workplace and at home, as a testimony to their wives and children of their commitment to God. (Eph. 6:5-6)
- Be kind – Spouses can offend each other with words or actions. Pray that husbands will forgive their wives and not hold grudges or bitterness against them for any offenses. (Mark 11:25)
- Exercise self-control – Divorce can create an environment of anger and derogatory language. Pray that men will not use ugly words about the mothers of their children. (Eph. 4:29)
- Count your blessings – Pray that God will fill the hearts of husbands with praise and thanksgiving for the families that God has blessed them with. (Ps. 106:1)
- Remain calm – “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong“ (Ps 37:1). Let us resist the temptation to be envious of the success achieved by people who do evil.
- Don’t run – “Trust the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture”
(Ps. 37:3). Let us be unflustered and do here and now the good already prepared by God for us. - Life fulfilled – “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4). Only in an intimate relationship with God do we find what soothes our souls, making us able to enjoy the blessings the Lord has prepared for us.
- God makes all well – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act”
(Ps. 37:5). Trust that the Lord will take care of you even when circumstances are against you. - Be thankful – “Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked” (Ps. 37:16). True gratitude and humbleness enrich our lives.
- God is just – In a world filled with social injustice, we intercede to God, the all-knowing, righteous judge. In the age to come, he will dry every tear and make all wrongs right. Remain confident in the Lord. “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it” (Ps. 52:8-9).
- Fear God – The prophet Isaiah’s ministry was launched by a vision of God’s glory: “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. … [The angels cried out] ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!’” (Isa. 6:1, 3). In reverence for the Lord, let us also do our part to represent him in our generation.
- Jesus is able – Jesus fed a crowd of over 5,000 with a boy’s lunch. “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ‘There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?’” (John 6:8-9). He miraculously fed them all abundantly. Likewise, we can put our small resources in the Lord’s hands and trust him to use them in wonderful ways.
- Live by grace – We can live successfully as men of God by opening our hearts to live by grace: “For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Gal. 5:5-6). Prayer is a vital aspect of this grace-based relationship with our Father in heaven.
- Jesus our mediator – Our prayers are spiritual sacrifices offered through our ascended Savior. “[In the new covenant] there arises [in Jesus Christ] a priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. … Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:16, 25).
- No fear – O Lord, you are our light and our salvation – whom shall we fear? You, Lord, are the stronghold of our lives – of whom shall we be afraid? (Ps. 27:1)
- Be confident – When the wicked advance against us to devour us, it is our enemies and our foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege us, our hearts will not fear; though war break out against us, even then we will be confident. (Ps. 27:2-3)
- In his care – One thing we ask from you, Lord, this only do we seek: that we may dwell in your house, Lord, all the days of our lives, to gaze on your beauty and to seek you in your temple. (Ps. 27:4)
- Sure safety – For in the day of trouble you will keep us safe in your dwelling; you will hide us in the shelter of your sacred tent and set us high upon a rock. Then our heads will be exalted above the enemies who surround us; at your sacred tent we will sacrifice with shouts of joy; we will sing and make music to you, Lord. (Ps. 27:5-6)
- Seeking God – Hear our voices when we call, Lord; be merciful and answer us. Our hearts say of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, we will seek. Do not hide your face from us; do not turn your servant away in anger. You have been our helper. Do not reject us or forsake us, God our Savior. (Ps. 27:7-9)
- Accepted – Even if our fathers and mothers forsake us, you, Lord, will receive us.
Teach us your way, Lord; lead us in a straight path because of our oppressors. (Ps. 27:10-11) - God holds the future – Do not turn us over to the desire of our foes, for false witnesses rise up against us, spouting malicious accusations. We remain confident of this: We will see your goodness, Lord, in the land of the living. We wait for you, Lord; we are strong and take heart and wait for you. (Ps. 27:12-14)
- Persecution – Never take religious freedom for granted. Open Doors states that in Asia alone, 11 Christians are killed every day for their faith. Pray for God’s love to motivate you to witness for Christ; and pray for the persecuted Church. (Matt. 5:10-12)
- Boldness – To live by biblical standards is countercultural. Be authentic in the way you practice your Christian faith at home and in public. Be prepared to answer anyone who asks for the reason of your faith. Be salt and light in your world today. (1 Pet. 3:15)
- Passion for souls – God wants all men to be saved. This is why Jesus Christ gave his perfect life on the cross as an atonement for sin. If you are a disciple of Christ, pray for passion for souls and for God to show you how you can reach others with the transforming news of the gospel. (Matt. 28:18-20)
- Stand up for Jesus – Don’t be swept away by men’s philosophies, religions, ideologies and politics; rather, seek truth in God’s Word, the Bible. Surrender your will to the Lord, and allow him to live his life in you and through you. (Gal. 2:20)
