1. Christmas is a time of gift-giving, but husbands and fathers often feel pressure to spend too much money on presents. Pray that these men will come to acknowledge and demonstrate the principle of storing up treasures in heaven. (Matt. 6:19-20)
2. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Pray that fathers will teach their children about the Savior, Jesus, as they celebrate this season of his birth. (Luke 2:11)
3. The Christmas season can be hectic and stressful. Pray that husbands and fathers will draw near to Christ and reflect his peace to their families, particularly during family gatherings. (Isa. 9:6)
4. Though a time of joy, the Christmas holiday can also be a time of grieving, disappointment and frustration for some. Anger and bitter words can result. Pray that fathers will place these emotions before God and not allow their anger to fester. (James 1:20)
5. After seeing Jesus, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.” Pray that fathers will model godly leadership for their children so they, too, can praise God for all they hear and see. (Luke 2:20)
6. Have mercy on us, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out our transgressions. Wash away all our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin. (Ps. 51:1-2)
7. For we know our transgressions, and our sin is always before us. Against you, you only, have we sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. (Ps. 51:3-4)
8. Create in us pure hearts, O God, and renew steadfast spirits within us. Do not cast us from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and grant us willing spirits, to sustain us. (Ps. 51:10-12)
9. Then we will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. (Ps. 51:13)
10. Open our lips, Lord, and our mouths will declare your praise. (Ps 51:15)
11. You do not delight in sacrifice, or we would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. Our sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart that you, God, will not despise. (Ps 51:16-17)
12. When a crisis occurs, don’t let it weaken your faith; rather, trust the Lord to strengthen your heart. “‘Now, therefore,’ says the Lord, ‘turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness’” (Joel 2:12-13).
13. When disappointments discourage us, prayer is an opportunity to refocus and remember how God has been faithful over the years. “And I said, ‘This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.’ I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old” (Ps. 77:10-11).
14. Spiritual champions should continue to mature in their faith yet learn from the meek sincerity of children. “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said … ‘[W]hoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” (Matt. 18:2-4). We pray to outgrow childish ways while maintaining a childlike openness to learn.
15. Even though we face opposition from the world, the flesh and the devil, we pray to appropriate the victory Christ has won for us. “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (2 Pet. 5:10).
16. We pray to be Christ-centered examples to our children and other young people who look up to us. “Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father” (Prov. 17:6).
17. Father God, when negative things happen, I become fearful. I now see that I experience fear when I trust my limited human resources. But now I trust you, the Almighty God, whose resources are limitless. My faith is no longer small but great because I am now trusting in my great and mighty God. Thank you, Lord, for granting me great faith! (Matt. 8:26)
18. Dear God, there are times when I feel so afraid. I see now that fear can be a good thing. Fear reminds me that my flesh is weak but that the Lord is the strength of my life. Therefore, when I am afraid, I will trust in the Lord. And as I trust in you, Lord, I will fear no evil! (Ps. 56:3-4)
19. Lord Jesus, sometimes when I don’t get what I think I need, or can’t understand something, I become anxious and frustrated. But you made it very clear to Martha that you are all we need! And I have you with me because you live within me. More importantly, you have me and will never let me go. Therefore, you will provide whatever I need. (Luke 10:41-42)
20. Oh Lord, so many things bother me, and then I become worried. But you have given me a viable alternative. You invite me to pray to you. Now I am no longer full of care, because I know that you will take care of everything. Your peace within me keeps my heart and mind from being troubled. (Phil. 4:6-7)
21. Evil forces are continually doing their utmost to deprive believers like you from having a close relationship with Jesus. As followers of Christ, we should therefore always encourage each other to stand firm in our faith. (1 Cor. 16:13)
22. The main reason many Christians fail, falling into various sinful habits, is that they don’t spend time with the Lord. Pray that God will let you grow in holiness by daily investing time into a personal and intimate fellowship with him. (1 Chron. 16:8-11)
23. As followers of Christ, we are fighting an ongoing spiritual battle within us. But thank God – by clinging to our Lord and Savior, we can win that battle. (Ps. 84:5)
24. A lot of people strive to find meaning in their lives. Some confess openly that they believe their lives have no purpose. Thank God that as a follower of Christ, you have good news for them. (Rev. 22:17)
25. Pray today for wisdom and strength to share the good news with somebody who is struggling to find answers to questions like these: Why am I here? What is the purpose of life and the challenges I face? (Mark 16:15)
26. Praise the Lord for the very positive response to the Every Man A Warrior Bible study that TWR promotes worldwide. God is equipping men as they walk with him and allow his Word to renew their minds and attitudes. Many wives praise God for husbands who have a new outlook on life and a firm commitment to lead their families the Lord’s way. (Titus 1:6-9)
27. Champions Arise (CA), TWR’s ministry to men via prayer and programming, has launched two new series, “Every Man a Pure Warrior” and “The Exchanged Life.” Pray for the process of translating and producing these programs in the 15 languages in which CA already ministers.
28. Social convulsions, natural disasters, godless ideologies, wars and rumors of war are characteristic of today’s world. In light of the end times, the Bible calls us to live holy and godly lives and to look forward to the day of God and to speed its coming (2 Pet. 3:11-12). Therefore, don’t get consumed with events we can’t change; rather, allow for the peace of God to control your heart and mind.
29. There is a male leadership crisis in the church. Pray that Christian men will not worry first about what to eat, what to drink or what to wear. Rather, may they trust their heavenly Father, who knows what they need, and follow the Lord’s admonition: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33).
30. As the year comes to a close, make time to remember the Lord’s leading and goodness through the last 12 months. Make a list of all that he did in you and in your family, and plan to celebrate God’s provision in a very pointed way. “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (Ps. 103:1).
31. “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun” (Ps. 37:4-6).
