1. One is not enough – It is impossible to light the grill with just one piece of charcoal. You need several pieces that can burn together. This is a parallel to your life as a Christian. Thank God for fellowship with other believers that helps you to keep your faith burning. (Heb. 10:23,24)
2. Live the truth – As a follower of Christ you are a living and visible testimony to the world. Those living without Jesus in their hearts are “reading” you as an open book. Pray that your life will be a strong testimony of Christ’s love and compassion. “For you are God’s workmanship…” (Eph. 2:10)
3. Proclaim the truth – Pray that you will have courage to share your testimony whenever God gives you an opportunity and pray for wisdom to be a good ambassador for the Kingdom. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders…” (Col. 4:5)
4. You are a light – The world is increasingly hostile to the Gospel but remember that the light becomes more visible the darker it gets. Thank God that the light will always be stronger than even the deepest darkness. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness…” (John 8:12)
5. God’s motive –Heavenly Father, everyone seems intent on using me or abusing me. However, Your motive is clear: You love me and want the best for me. Therefore, I entrust my life to You. Cause me to see You in all things and trust You with all things so that I can experience Your goodness through all things. (Jer. 29:11)
6. Acceptance – Dear God, rejection can be really hard, especially when I feel like You have rejected me. But Eph. 1:6 makes it clear that once I accept Christ, I am brought into union with Christ. You accept me because of Christ. It is by grace that I am accepted, not by my works, but by the works of Christ who now indwells me.
7. Forgiveness – Dear God, I realize why I have had such a hard time forgiving others. I never truly received Your forgiveness so that You could enable me to forgive others. Your forgiveness is a gift because of the cross of Christ. I acknowledge my sins and receive Your forgiveness. Thank You that I am forgiven. (Eph. 1:7)
8. Inheritance – Oh Lord, You have provided a wonderful inheritance for me in Christ. My privilege is to place my trust in Christ. You, Lord, are my portion—my all in all. I have everything I need in You. Thank You, God, that because of my union with Christ, I have now obtained a glorious inheritance. (Eph. 1:11,12)
9. Assurance – Thank You, Lord, that my inheritance is not just a future promise, but a present reality. You gave me my inheritance up front by imparting Your life to me through the blessed Holy Spirit. The moment that I believed I was made one spirit with You. My inheritance will culminate with my eternal redemption! (Eph. 1:13,14)
10. Fearless – Dear God, the fear of man is huge. It seems someone is always out to get me. I feel like I must constantly be on guard. That is why I am so grateful that I have You and You have me. You are my shield and defender. Thank You for relieving me of my fears and granting me boldness to face anything! (Heb. 13:6)
11. Who are you? – Cultural Christianity, or the best intended imitation of the qualities of Christ, has no spiritual power in itself. Only the life of Christ in us will make the difference. The forces of darkness know the difference and mock any lack of authenticity. “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15)
12. What motivates you? – Friend, we all are responsible for our choices. Be diligent and selective in what you think and meditate about. Pornography has the majority of men in its grip. But you, resist evil and think about and do what honors God. “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov. 4:23).
13. Kingdom philosophy – “Jesus said: My kingdom is not from this world” (John 18:36). Christ didn’t promise an easy life on this earth. To the contrary, He promises eternal life to those who are willing to reject the offer for immediate gratification of the prince of this age. Pray to be Christ’s kingdom disciple and a true worshiper of God.
14. Committed or surrendered? – “But Peter declared, even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Matt. 26:35). Like Peter, many men are determined to give their best for Christ, but then fail Him miserably. Later, when Peter surrendered his self-sufficiency and was filled with the Holy Spirit, God used him mightily. Let’s learn from him.
15. Whom do you worship? – “They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men” (Matt. 15:9). Belief in a god who fits modern thinking is in vain. Prove your love for Christ by obeying His teaching. (John 14:23) Be a man who worships the God of Scripture. Don’t agree when sin is marketed as acceptable behavior.
16. Meekness is not weakness – “…and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:29). Nobody is more masculine, has more character, virtues and power than Jesus Christ. Pray to be a man who learns from Him the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
17. The eternal perspective – “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) The natural man has lost the eternal perspective. (1 Cor. 2:14) Pray for discernment and a perception for what is of permanent value. Surrender your will to God and allow Him to determine your investments.
18. Building character – As an athlete trains with diligence to win the prize, so a man of character will constantly submit to the discipline of making the right choices. “…who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Heb. 5:14). Pray to be such a man of valor who honors God and inspires his family and friends.
19. Role model – Prisons are filled with sons of absent fathers. Children need examples to follow. Pray to make the difference by becoming to your own children and to others a role model similar to what the Apostle Paul was. “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).
20. Who cries for you? – When Jehoram, king of Judah, a man who rebelled against God and caused great harm to his own people died, “he passed away to no one’s regret.” (2 Chron. 21:20) How sad! What is our legacy? What is the benefit or fruit of the labor of our life? Let’s pray for God’s mercy and love to bless others through our lives.
21. Work – The Lord gives us the blessing of work and the ability to produce. This way we can support our family, do what is good, and even share with others. (Eph. 4.28) Lord, thank You for enabling my hands and mind to work! Thank You for your provision! We intercede for those who need a job, please open the doors for them.
22. Remember – The Holy Spirit brings to our minds the Word and teaching of the Lord. (John 14:26) Many, who were once taught in the way of the Lord and have fallen away from Him, still have the Word engraved in their hearts. Holy Spirit, please make them remember your Word and renew their love for the Lord.
23. Influence – Jesus says that His followers are salt and light. They influence their environment with flavor and life. As Christian men we have the privilege of influencing those who live close to us. Pray that the way you live in your family and workplace will be a convincing testimony of God’s love and be an inspiration to others. (John 13:35)
24. Time to receive – “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:10,11). At Christmas God came into this world in Jesus Christ, as the redeemer of His creation. Celebrate Christ, the greatest of all gifts.
25. A right to be granted – “Yet to all who receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Not what we have, do or know will determine our eternity, but who we are. Make the best choice and accept your new identity by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
26. Worship – Psalm 24 invites us to worship in the temple of the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart. When we believe in the Lord Jesus, we are sanctified and cleansed from all sin by His grace. Then the Lord gives us the opportunity, as husbands and fathers, to make our home a place of worship and to lead our family into fellowship with His people in the church.
27. Love – Many parents are confused by the multiple theories and ideologies of how to raise children. Parental love for children includes instruction, correction, and discipline. Prov. 29:15 warns of the consequences when a child fails to be properly guided. Pray for parents to have the courage to follow biblical instruction.
28. Action – Pornography has invaded and harmed many marriages, including those of Christians. Eph. 6:13 tells us to put on the armor and fight. The Lord calls us to purity and holiness in our marriage relationships. Lord, make men be ready to fight for the love of their wife and refuse and resist the temptation of pornography.
29. Thoughts captive – “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:50). The pattern of this world is false propositions of the prince of this world. Allow for Christ to renew your mind (Rom. 12:2) and think, discern and argue with godly wisdom.
30. Think with promise – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8). And if you do this, dear brother, the “peace of God will be with you.”
31. Sing a new song – “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him” (Psa. 98:1). Christ paid on the cross the guilt of sin and overcame the powers of darkness and death. Men, be an anchor of hope for your family in 2023 and sing God’s praises.
