- Eternal life – Jesus says: My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life… (John 10:27-28). Heavenly Father help me to follow Jesus wherever He leads me. Thank you for promising me eternal life together with Him.
- Unity – Christian unity makes it possible for non-believers to see glimpses of God and his limitless love for every human being (John 17,23). Pray for a strong unity among Christians and be ready to forgive and to love sacrificially.
- Carry each other’s burdens – In this way you will fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2). Lord, help me to be a blessing to my brothers and sisters in Christ by sharing the weight of their burdens, and by helping them to grow in knowledge and love for Jesus.
- More blessed to give – According to biblical author Luke, Jesus said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Father in Heaven, I pray that you will help me to understand and learn by heart that it’s more blessed to give than to receive.
- Generosity – God’s world is a different world. When people say, “claim your rights”, God says “give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38). Almighty God, I need your help in order to develop a Christlike character of generosity and concern for other people’s needs. Please hear my prayer.
- God’s servants – “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” (Romans 13:6) King of Kings, Lord of Lords, you overrule the hearts of our earthly rulers. May they govern wisely and well so that your Kingdom comes and your will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
- Pay up – “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13:7) Lord, change our hearts so that we honor and respect those you have raised up to lead us.
- Debt free living – “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8) Lord, teach us to be self-controlled and to live by your standard. Your desire for us is to be free from the bondage of debt.
- Jesus’ commandment – “The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Romans 13:9) Help us Jesus to love well.
- Lawful loving – “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10) Lord, our culture would have us believe that anger is the primary manly emotion. Yet, you call us to love, patience, and gentleness. Fill us with your Spirit so that we can be the men you called us to be.
- Awaken our hearts – “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11) Lord, as so many forces pull us in all kinds of direction, help us to place personal sanctification high on our priority list.
- Poor in spirit – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). The fall has disfigured God’s image in the human heart and stolen our birthright. Therefor allow for the Holy Spirit to convict you of guilt and sin. Pray humbly for Jesus to renew your heart. He wants for you to become a child and heir of God.
- Real comfort – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Mt 5:4). If you yearn for God’s pattern of love and justice, you will feel much pain over all the evil in our world. Be a man, who is sincerely sorry over his own faults, identify with those who suffer, and pray to be a beacon of hope and comfort to your family and friends.
- Counter-culture – “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5). It is most common that the strong, determined and able dominate, not the meek. But following Jesus is counter-culture. He invites us to learn from him. He is meek and humble. Pray for the Lord to live his life through you.
- Hunger for righteousness – “Blessed are those who thirst and hunger for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Mt 5:6). The sense for what is right and just has been given us by God. Pray to be a man, who stands for truth and righteousness and who’s character reflects the qualities of Jesus, our coming King.
- Merciful – “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Mt 5:7). Mercy is when you don’t charge the guilty as he deserves. Because God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ the unpayable debt of our sin, we should be motivated to easily forgive anybody who owes us. Pray to be merciful with those who are in your care.
- Pure in heart – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for the will see God” (Mt 5:8). Pure is something free of contamination. Only the blood of Jesus can purify us from all sin and grant us a pure heart. Be watchful and resist the onslaught of impure thoughts, words or deeds that rob you of your intimate fellowship with Christ and the vision of who God is.
- Peacemaker – “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9). Jesus is the prince of peace, and lives through the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer. Pray that you will be a peacemaker. Submit to the rule of Christ today, allow him to lead you in all you do. Others will be blessed if you live as a child of God.
- Be steadfast – “Blesses are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:10). Jesus said that the world hated him first and will also hate his disciples. Be prepared; you will be resisted and maligned if you stand up for truth. Pray for steadfastness; the Lord will reward your courage.
- Persecution – “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Mt 5:11) Hatred for Christians and the faith itself is on the rise globally. Pray for the persecuted church and be a joyful witness of the Gospel.
- Invisible forces – “David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand, extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown” (1 Ch 21:16). God can use plagues, as a means, to call his people back to him. Be ready to adore him.
- Honesty – “Instead speaking truth in love, we will in all things grow up…” (Eph 4:15). Face-saving cultures avoid confrontation of truth, rather gloss over differences out of fear. Pray to be a man who learns to communicate truth with respect and the love of Christ and build growing trust relationships.
- Bitterness – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with all form of malice” (Eph 4:31) Unsolved problems and brake-down in communication create barriers in family and society. As a Christian you must not be a prisoner of this kind of destructive behavior. Pray for the Spirit of God to rule in your life.
- Always – “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (Ps 34:1). It’s very common to hear a call to prayer when a crisis hit. God is a father who loves his children. Pray to be a man who determines, like King David, to trust God’s wise purposes always, even when it hurts.
- Difference – “Live such good lives among the pagans, that… they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1Pe 2:12). The most effective way to witness for Christ is to reflect his character through authentic living. Make a difference; pray that you be a man whose way of living will reflect your devotion to the Lord and your love to people.
- Impossible – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph 5:25). This looks like an impossible command. Man, be honest and willing to accept help. Submit the control of your life to the Lord and allow him to rule in your heart. Your wife and children will love it.
- Training – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, bring them up on the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). God wants fathers to be, as it were, dedicated coaches of their children. Pray for this skill and model to them what it means to be a man, who puts the Lord first, and who meditates and applies the Word in his own life.
- Suffering – “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1Pe 4:19). The natural reaction to injustice is retaliation. As Christians we are invited to a higher standard. Pray to keep your focus on God and honor him even in your suffering.
- Control you tongue – “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it well eat its fruit” (Prov 18:21). Lack of patience and stress easely lead to harsh words. Man, control your tongue! As a father and husband, you hold a position of great influence. Pray to speak words of affirmation and encouragement to your family.
- Men’s ministry – “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing” (1Ti 2:8). God wants for men to be God’s ministers in home and society. But nobody gives what he doesn’t have. Therefor allow for the Lord to rule your life and then be an intercessor for a world in need.
- Be a good listener – “He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame” (Prov 18:13). We live in a very confused and complex society. There are no easy answers. Make time to listen to the heart-cry of people. Pray for discernment and allow for the Lord to speak through you into people’s lives.
