- Healthy reminder – Oh Lord, my difficulties have been a source of irritation for me. But now I see that these human deficiencies are a healthy reminder about where the Source of my strength really is. By faith, I take pleasure in my problems and I glory in my infirmities. I now know that although I am weak in the flesh, I am strong in the Lord! (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
- Relying on God – Lord Jesus, I get so tired of falling down in my attempts to live life. What is wrong? Your Word says that a fall is preceded by an attitude of pride. I confess that I have been relying on my own human strength, natural talents and abilities to live my life. I confess this as pride. I reject all my fleshly dependencies. I now rely totally upon You to live through me. (Proverbs 16:18)
- Know-it-all – Heavenly Father, I have been acting like a know-it-all. I thought I knew so much and now I realize I know so little. My knowledge has only caused me to be puffed up with pride. I have been depending on what I know instead of Who I know. I cease looking to my human knowledge to make me great, and look to You—my great and mighty God. (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)
- Lordship – Dear God, You are the Master Designer and Creator of all things. That means I belong to You, because You made me. I have been acting like I was my own, but that’s not true. All I am and have belongs to You. As the rightful owner of my life, I give myself to You and acknowledge Your Lordship over my life. (Psalm 24:1)
- Trusting Submission – “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1) Father, you can use flawed humans to carry out your holy and perfect will. Yet, help us trust you as we submit to the authorities you have placed over us.
- Rebellious Attitudes – “Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:2) Lord, teach us how to stand up for truth, justice, and righteousness without having a rebellious attitude toward the leaders you placed over us.
- Do Right – “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.” (Romans 13:3) Even in the face of bribery, corruption, and injustice, help us to do what is right with a humble and contrite heart.
- Protecting Our Enemies – “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:4) Lord, you can raise up violent and ruthless nations in order to punish other violent and ruthless nations. Grant us to trust you even when we don’t understand you.
- Clear Conscious – “Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” (Romans 13:5) Father, help us value a clear conscience more highly than our personal agendas.
- Someone said – “Crisis doesn’t create character, it reveals it.” Pray that we as men will invest deliberate attention into allowing Christ to develop our character as we abide in Him, thus allowing His Life to flow forth in any crisis. (John 15, Rom. 5:3-5)
- Right priority – COVID has brought stress and fear into men’s lives as providers. Pray that men will activate the promise of Matthew 6:33 by truly seeking God’s ways first in everything.
- Transformed minds – The mind is where the battle begins. Whether fear, stress, lust, anger, resentment, etc — the mind is the first target of the enemy. Pray for men to practice Romans 12:1-2 and experience the fruit of a transformed mind.
- Enduring peace – The “peace of Christ” can rule our minds in any situation. Colossians 3:12-15 lays out the virtues that accompany the peace of Christ. Pray for men to pursue these virtues as fruit of the abiding Life in Christ. It’s HIS peace, not ours.
- Decisive choices – Romans 13:14 instructs us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”, and having done this we will not make provision for the desire of the flesh. Pray for men to know what it means to abide in this truth on a daily basis and live in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- God hears – “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). Man, you know that: “Life is not a piece of cake.” Don’t try to manage alone, rather make the Lord first in your life. Pray to him, tell him about all your struggles. He will surprise you with his solutions.
- God is close – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Man, you are never alone. When you are most hurt, helpless and fearful, the Lord is right there to offer his comfort and love. He understands your pain and wants to heal and restore you.
- The righteous have troubles – “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all (Psalm 34:19). We live in a fallen world, but know that the day of redemption is near. Therefor let’s face troubles and opposition with hope and trust in our God, who is mighty to save.
- Perspective – When Christ is our Lord and Savior, we have a new identity and are children of God. We are called to live with a long-term perspective and fix our attention on the eternal. Pray for the Lord to strengthen your faith, and help you to trust and believe his perfect will. Many times he uses difficult circumstances as a way to mature us in our faith. (Romans 8:28.29)
- Show kindness – Because of the global pandemic millions have lost their job. Many who were poor before, are now becoming miserable. Be sensitive to those in need around you. “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done” (Proverbs 19:17).
- Live the supernatural – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Faith is God’s gift to the believer. It is certainty of what we do not see. Trust in the Lord even in the “humanly impossible” and allow him to surprise you with his power and supernatural grace.
- God promises success – “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything that is written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8) Too many voices and emergencies try to distract us from what really matters. Be like Joshua, keep your focus on the Lord. Fight his battles, and finish well.
- Invest right – “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40). Don’t be fooled. Nothing you can buy with your money or effort is permanent. Only what is done for God will last. Therefor invest right. Pray for a sensitive heart and open eyes. Recognize the people in your neighborhood that God wants you to minister to.
- More than understanding – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request before God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6.7). Lord, thank you for teaching me to pray in trust. Please grant me peace and understanding to do your will.
- Overwhelmed – “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:1.2). War, death, sickness, financial collapse and unfulfilled expectations so easily overwhelm us. Don’t allow for fear to paralyze you, rather take refuge in the Lord; he is the unmovable Rock of ages.
- A resting place – During lockdown and social distancing, transform your fears, anxiety and stress in heartfelt prayer. “My soul finds rest in god alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1.2).
- Who is in charge? The pandemic has given governments added responsibility and oversight. Unfortunately, there are authorities who are seizing the opportunity to consolidate power and to restrict personal freedoms. Let’s never forget who really is in charge and pray for the authorities to be God fearing and just. “…and the government will be on his shoulders” (Isaiah 9:6).
- Creativity – While many churches are closed, and social gatherings are limited, because of COVID-19; be thoughtful and creative. Find new ways to fellowship with other believers. Give more time to prayer. Use the social media to express Christ’s love and support to family and friends. “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
- Family time – Sufficient sleep, healthy home cooked food, time to work out, home care and family time, are among the positive impacts of the lockdown. Man, make the most out of this time. Be available, encourage your family, honor your wife, listen to your children and share your genuine love with them. “Love is patient, love is kind…it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
- The only Name – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be save” (Acts 4:12). The world waits for a vaccine to overcome the latest physical pandemic. But God already offers in Jesus Christ the immediate and permanent cure from sin, the greatest pandemic of all times. Therefor pray and support earnestly missions at home and abroad.
- Real freedom – “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31.32). God gave men the freedom to choose and to enjoy him forever. The desire for freedom is God given. Be a disciple of Jesus, make time to study Scripture and allow its truth to set you free.
- God’s will – “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11) Through the growing fear and insecurity of our days, millions are seeking answers in God’s word. Pray for the effectiveness of the Gospel as TWR reaches 80% of the world’s population in over 230 languages with multiple media resources.
