- Prayer – Right before Jesus went into the garden of Gethsemane, where he was betrayed by Judas, he prayed for his disciples and for all future believers (John 17:20). Lord, thank you that even today you are still our advocate before the Father (1 John 2:1). I pray that more people will find you as their Savior and Lord. Help me to be a good ambassador for the Kingdom.
- Conquer – You are always surrounded by invisible evil forces trying to prevent you from spending time with the Lord. Filled by the Holy Spirit, however, you can conquer even the strongest enemies – seen or unseen (Rom. 8:10-11). Lord, thank you that through your power in me, I can resist the evil forces and grow into a close relationship with you.
- Fellowship – Did you ever try to make a fire with only one piece of wood? It would certainly be difficult, if not impossible. You need multiple pieces to make a fire. Likewise, we need each other as followers of Christ (Acts 2:42). Thank you, Lord, for precious spiritual fellowship with fellow believers.
- Don’t go it alone – A wise man once said that you might succeed in traveling from Europe to the U.S. alone in a small boat; but it is much safer to travel with others onboard a huge ship. This anecdote is a parallel to the Christian life (1 Tim. 2:1-4). Heavenly Father, bless Christians all over the world with deep spiritual unity with other believers.
- A desire to see people saved – God has a strong desire to save all human beings (1 Tim. 2:4). Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you that you gave your Son to save the whole world. Help me in my efforts to bring more people into your presence.
- God working through you – Oh Lord, I realize that much of my labor has been in vain. It may have looked good, but it was not of God. I understand that only what is done by Christ will last. Therefore, I refuse to try to work for you anymore. Instead, I trust you to work through me so that my labor will no longer be in vain (1 Cor. 15:57-58)!
- Don’t grow weary – Lord Jesus, in these troubled times, I find myself becoming weary and faint. But now I understand. Your Word says my flesh will always become weary because of my limited strength and ability. But you never get weary. You alone can do all things well. Therefore, I trust you to do good through me, and then I will reap a fruitful harvest. (Gal. 6:9)
- God is good – Heavenly Father, so many people appear to have impure motives. As long as they get their way, they don’t care how many others get hurt. I am grateful that you are not like that. Your motives are always pure – pure love! Therefore, regardless of what happens to me, I know that you mean it for good. I give thanks that you are working all things together for my good! (Gen. 50:19-20)
- God’s grace is sufficient – Dear God, my abilities are so limited, but your grace is limitless. And you are able to make all grace abound toward me. The all-sufficient One abides in me through my union with Christ. Therefore, your life in me will enable me to abound in every good work. I thank you, Lord, for your all-sufficient grace! (2 Cor. 9:8)
- Peace and quiet – “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Lord, how our hearts long for peace and quiet. Remind us always to pray for other people, including those in authority who sometimes appear to be agents of evil and chaos.
- The king’s heart – “In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him” (Prov. 21:1). Father, you alone can change hearts, and hearts of stone become like streams of water in your hand. Thank you that you never lose control.
- Subject, obedient and ready to do good – “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good” (Titus 3:1). Father, it really stretches our faith to trust you to work things out when we are surrounded by so much chaos. Give me the grace to be a force for good.
- Peaceable, considerate and gentle – “[Remind the people] to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone” (Titus 3:2). With so much nastiness in our media these days, we are tempted to join in on one side or another. Thank you for enabling us to give a different response, one that displays your glory, not ours.
- The source of wisdom and power – “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his” (Dan. 2:20). Your wisdom and power, oh Lord, is far beyond what we can imagine. Please tune our hearts to hear and obey your leading.
- Change, depose and raise up – “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Dan. 2:21). Almighty God, our times are in your hands. Thank you for raising up leaders to accomplish your purposes in your perfect timing and for granting wisdom and discernment to those who seek your guidance.
- Revealer of secret things – “He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him” (Dan. 2:22). Father, reveal the deep and hidden things in my heart and grant me the courage to deal with them promptly and effectively.
- Wisdom, power and knowledge – “I thank and praise you, God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king” (Dan. 2:23). Father, as you granted Daniel wisdom, power and knowledge to serve his king, we ask the same for those who advise our leaders.
- Ruler of the nations – “For dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations” (Ps. 22:28). Holy God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, you rule the world in wisdom, righteousness, justice and love. We celebrate your great mercy and kindness that you extend not only to those who love you but also to those who live in rebellion against you.
- Seek the Lord first – In the midst of this COVID pandemic, many men feel the stress of financial worry. Matthew 6:33 is as good in crisis as it is in plenty. Pray that we will not lose heart but will continue to seek God and his righteousness first in all we do.
- Peace is a person – Isaiah 9:6 refers to Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Pray that men will not look to themselves to conjure up peace but that they will find it in the outflow of fellowship with the Prince of Peace.
- Be careful – The media has a way of pulling us into the vortex of hype. While we need to stay educated and informed, let’s be careful to meditate upon things that are lovely and of good report, making our requests known to God and having his peace wash over our minds. (Phil. 4:6-8)
- Come near to God – Many men are experiencing “stay-at-home” orders due to pandemic measures. Pray that men do not become idle and nonproductive but will use this time to draw closer to the Lord and go deeper in his Word and with family. (James 4:8)
- Hope for the future – Daily news is painting a rather grim picture of the future for Planet Earth: global warming, pollution, COVID-19. But praise God, Earth is not our final home (John 14:1-3). Father in heaven, thank you that you have prepared a special place for me in heaven.
- Divine power – “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power” (2 Cor. 10:3-4). Thank you, Lord, for allowing your Holy Spirit to dwell in every follower of Christ.
- Spiritual weapons – The weapons provided to us have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that set themselves up against the knowledge of God (2 Cor. 10:4-5). Lord, teach me how to fight with the right weapons whenever I face various kinds of opposition and hardship.
- Double-edged sword – The Word of God is living and active. It penetrates even to the point of dividing soul and spirit (Heb. 4:12). Heavenly Father, open my eyes for what really matters. Grant me the discipline and joy to spend time with you in prayer and study of your word. Teach me how to apply the Bible in my life according to your intentions.
- A blessed man – Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. Whatever he does prospers (Ps. 1:1-3). Lord, please help me to become such a man.
- Authentic Christianity – “Therefore each of us must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Eph. 4:25). Thank you, Lord, for the new life in Christ and the privilege to belong to the family of God. Help me and my brothers and sisters to humbly submit to your sovereignty and to treat others with authentic love and respect.
- Be ready to forgive – “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Eph. 4:26-27). Dear Lord, I pray for you to grant me a wise and humble attitude. Help me to recognize what is evil in your sight and needs to be resisted and what is the reaction of my pride and willfulness. Make me willing to seek peace and to forgive, even when I have been offended, and to honor you in all I do.
- Be a blessing – “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Eph. 4:28). Thank you, Lord, that by changing our hearts, you also created the conditions for us to have a brand-new lifestyle. Please, grant success to our work so that we can be a blessing to our world in need.