1. WARNING & SOLUTION – Oh Lord, there is so much false information and everyone has an opinion. But You, Lord Jesus, are the Truth. Your warning is clear: beware us of falsehood. Cause me to grow in the knowledge of You. Then, I will be able to remain steadfast in the truth. (2 Peter 3:17-18)
2. GROWING IN GRACE – Lord Jesus, I have tried so hard to facilitate my spiritual growth. But I see now that my fleshly efforts will never result in spiritual growth. Growth is the spontaneous outworking of life. Growth is accomplished when your grace does the work in me. I trust You with my spiritual growth. (Mt 6:27-30)
3. PROMISES – Dear God, too many people have made promises they have not kept. You are the only one who is faithful and true. You are the true promise keeper. All of the promises of God are in Christ. And Christ is in me as a new creation. Therefore, Lord, fulfill your promises through me to the glory of God. (2Co 1:19-20)
4. A TRUE BELIEVER – Dear Lord, I realize there is more to being a believer than just saying I believe in God. A true believer believes on the Lord Jesus Christ with his heart as well as his head. Once I truly believed with my heart, I also received Christ into my heart. Therefore, I rely upon Christ to live his life through me. (Jn 14:1)
5. WHAT’S YOUR PLEASURE? – Heavenly Father, I once was a pleasure seeker. Now I seek You and Your works in my life. You are what pleases me, and whatever You do gives me pleasure. As long as the source of my works originates with You, I am pleased. Oh Lord, You are great and greatly to be praised! (Ps 111:20
6. Good manners – When we consider each other higher than ourselves, as Scripture recommends, we will have no problem to treat each other with respect and dignity. Allow for Christ to control your actions and reactions. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov 15:1).
7. Go deeper – We have heart the ancient expression, “Know yourself”. Don’t let your impulses and emotions determine your actions. Pray to be a man approved by God and who digs deep to evaluate his real intensions. “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives” (Prov 16:2).
8. You are not alone – If you have given your life to Christ, you are never out there on your own. His loving care surrounds you. Learn to lean on him. Thank him for his watch care over you and open your heart to him in prayer. “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established” (Prov 16:3).
9. God is in control – There is never a reason to get desperate. You can trust that God is always in control. Therefore, pray with confidence and hope, even when you can’t understand why and how things happen. “The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil” (Prov 16:4).
10. Abomination – “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished” (Prov 16:5). The essence of sin is pride and independence from God. Therefore, watch your motives and pray that your words and action be acceptable to the Lord. He wants to reward you.
11. Peace with enemies – “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Prove 16:7). Be a man that pleases God and don’t worry about those who oppose you for wrong reason. The Lord, who cares for you, is also the one who will protect you.
12. Direction – Sometimes it’s only looking back, that we can recognize God’s ways. Because our vision is limited and our understanding impaired, pray consciously for God’s will to be done in your life, and follow his leading. “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Prov 16:9).
13. The right way – “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov 16:25). God has given us the freedom to make our choices. But left on our own, we aren’t able to recognize fully the implication of our action. Therefore, pray for the Lord to guide your heart. Lean not on your own understanding.
14. Violence – “A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good” (Prov 16:29). Violence generates more violence. Pray to be a peacemaker and resist the trend of our times to make justice with your own hands. Walk with the Prince of peace and resist the temptation to get even.
15. Company – A father’s friendships reveal much of his character to his children. Psalm 1 identifies as “Blessed is he who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, does not stop in the way of sinners, nor sit in the circle of scoffers”. (v1) Let us be careful and pray that our friendships will inspire our children to walk with the Lord!
16. Growing – More important than the time I have known the Lord, is my spiritual growth and his noticeable work in my life. This requires meditating and obeying his Word, and living in dependance on him. “So that everyone can see your progress” (I Tim. 4:15). – Lord, I ask for diligence and perseverance in my spiritual growth.
17. Walking – Isaac accompanied Abraham to worship God and offer a sacrifice. Questions, doubts, and unknowns were present. (Gen. 22) – Lord, help me on the journey of faith with my children, especially in those moments when the questions are incisive and I lack the answer. Thank you for manifesting yourself Lord!
18. Pleasant atmosphere – Family conversation can easily revolve around the lives of others, denigrating someone or another family’s image. A simple principle in Proverbs 26.20, helps us to change course! Lord, I ask you to help me to stop negative conversations! May our conversations be pleasant to you!
19. Difficult times – In Habakkuk 3: 17-19 the prophet defines his posture in times of crisis as he makes a statement full of faith and hope. “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation”! Pray for the Lord to strengthening your faith and that your attitude be an encouragement to your family in difficult times.
20. Dignity – “The work of the righteous leads to life, but the income of the wicked to sin.” (Prov. 10:16) Let us pray that Christian men will act correctly in their work. That they may be recognized for this reason. Pray that their families will be safe and know how to draw strength from God in challenging times.
21. Fellowship – Restrictions on Christian activities due to Covid 19 have isolated millions of people. Pray that Christians will be strengthened in their faith in the midst of the pandemic, and that, in spite of limited possibilities for physical gatherings reach out to others with hope (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
22. Good news – Appr. 2 billion people are born, live and die without ever having an opportunity to meet a Christian or to hear a presentation of the Gospel. Pray that more Christians will obey the great commission and that resources will be invested to reach these least unreached people groups with the Good News (Matt 9:37-38).
23. Declare his glory – There are an estimated 400 000 cross cultural missionaries in the world today. According to Joshua Project, only 3 percent of them, 12 000 missionaries, work among the 7 400 unreached people groups (UPG’s). Pray that God will send more missionaries to the UPG’s (1 Chron 16:24-25).
24. Take the opportunity – Today people from all over the world, also from countries closed for missionaries, have come to western countries at refugees or asylum seekers. Pray that God will give you the wisdom, courage and the genuine love to seize the opportunity and to be a witness to them (2 Tim 4:2).
25. A Godly life – A Godly life is a good life. Jesus even promised to give abundant life. Don’t be tempted to search for happiness elsewhere – you will ultimately find that you have been drinking from broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jer 2:13). Resist the lure of the immediate. Pray for him to fulfil the desires of your heart.
26. Masculinity – Due to negative role models, some men are confused about what “Biblical Masculinity” looks like. Let’s pray for men to be intentional about studying the life of Jesus and men like Enoch, Daniel, and others to see what a true man of God looks like in character, disciplines, and integrity. (1 Corinthians 16:13)
27. Mentoring – Godly mentoring is a huge need among men. Sharing time together for accountability and life-on-life mentoring helps men to develop in godliness and character. Let’s pray for men to seek out godly, healthy relationships with other men to mentor and be mentored. (2 Timothy 2:2)
28. Forgiveness – Forgiveness of past abuses by others is a real struggle for many men. The scars can run deep and the bitterness can spread like a cancer in the soul. Pray for men to find the grace to forgive those who, in the past, have inflicted and caused deep wounds to them. (Matthew 6:14)
29. Friendship – Godly men should be intentional about establishing friendships with other men for the purpose of mutual benefit. Pray for you to have the courage to reach out to other men and foster a deliberate mentoring relationship. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
30. Trust – Trust is a key component in any godly, mentoring relationship. Pray for men to find a “safe” and transparent environment and that mentors will keep the confidence of those they are mentoring. (TWR. Offers the excellent bible study Every Man a Warrior who trains men in becoming mentors.) (Proverbs 11:13)
