- Living the Christian life – Lord Jesus, I realize that it is impossible for me to save myself, much less live the Christian life on my own strength. But with you, nothing is impossible. Lord Jesus, you have made salvation possible. And you alone can live the Christian life. Therefore, I trust you to live the Christian life through me. (Matt. 19:26)
- God is unshakeable – Dear God, all the human foundations are crumbling. There is nothing in this world upon which to depend completely. But you, the Almighty God, are unbreakable and unshakeable. Therefore, I will build my life upon you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being my firm foundation! (Ps. 11:3-4)
- Salvation through the cross – Oh Lord, I came into this world as a common, unclean sinner, but through Christ’s death on the cross, I have been cleansed of all unrighteousness. Now, upon receiving you, I am made a new creation in Christ. Thank you for renewing me so that I am no longer a sinner, but a saint. (Acts 10:15, 28)
- Grace for living – Dear Lord, when I received Jesus Christ as my Savior, I had no idea that I had been given grace for living. Therefore, I tried the best I could to live the Christian life, only to fail miserably. I now repent. Please cause me to rely upon your divine enabling by trusting you completely. (2 Cor. 6:1)
- Pray for changed lives – Abusers of alcohol and other substances have detrimental effects on their families. Pray for addicted husbands and fathers to seek God for his direction and healing. (Eph. 5:18)
- Pray for a clean heart – Men often mistakenly believer that they can view pornography and still honor their marriage bed. Pray that husbands will repent of this sin and honor God and the wives of their youth. (1 Cor. 6:18)
- Use edifying speech – “The words of the reckless pierce like swords” (Prov. 12:18). Pray for fathers to not speak harshly to their children but instead to use words of edification.
- Be a peacemaker – Arguments can lead to rash words and regretful decisions. Pray for fathers who are estranged from their kids to actively pursue humble reconciliation with them. (Luke 15:20)
- Bring your stress to Jesus – Job pressures and related conflicts often create anxiety in men that can affect their relationship with their families. Pray for husbands and fathers to model how to receive comfort from the Lord in times of stress. (Ps. 94:19)
- Walk with God – In Genesis 5, we read a simple but deeply spiritual statement about Enoch, the father of Methuselah: “Enoch walked with God” (Gen. 5:22). Pray that the same can be said about you when your life in this world someday ends.
- Seek God’s kingdom – As we wait eagerly for the day of God to come, we should strive to use the time to his glory – and for the salvation of other people. Pray that God will help you seek his kingdom first. (Matt. 6:33)
- Be mission-minded – Millions of people are living in spiritual darkness, without any opportunity to hear the gospel proclaimed. Entire people groups are still considered unreached. Pray for effectiveness for the organizations that aim to reach out to the ends of the world with the good news. (Matt. 28:18-20)
- Be available – Pray that God will use you as his messenger and that you will succeed in bringing the good news to your own family and other people in due time. (Isa. 52:7)
- Make room for Jesus – When Jesus Christ was born into this world as a human being, he was rejected by many people. But thank God that to all who believe in Jesus, he gives the right to become his children (John 1:12). Give thanks to God and praise his holy name.
- Let peace rule – True peace seems to be a missing element in the lives of many men. Pray that we as men will find our peace in our relationship with the Lord and to live it out in our family life. (Rom. 5:1)
- Keep your mind focused – Many distractions compete for the minds of men. Pray that men will learn the discipline of keeping their minds stayed upon God so as to have his perfect peace. (Isa. 26:3-4)
- Consider before you act – Contemplation is a lost art today but one that we can recover. Pray for men to recapture the spiritual discipline of Christian contemplation and thereby experience the abiding peace that accompanies it. (Phil. 4:6-8)
- Allow Jesus to rule – Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Pray that we as men will surrender our fleshly kingdoms to the Lord of peace, who wants to flood the land of our inner spirit with his peace. (Phil. 4:6-7)
- Cultivate holy habits – As men of God, we are called to be men of peace. Pray that we will cultivate the holy habit of seeking the Lord and being filled with the Spirit, who brings peace in and through us. (Gal. 5:22)
- Protect me from presumption – Father, you warn me against careless speech. So to be called by you to serve as a pastor, teacher, parent or disciple is a terrifying responsibility. I realize I will be judged not only according to my personal life but also according to what I teach others by word and example. (James 3:1-2)
- Guard my thoughts and speech – Since I am always teaching, even when I am not in a church building but in my own home or about the community, there should be no time during which I relax and let down my guard. (James 3:9-10)
- Guard me from slothfulness – In preparing our sermons and lesson plans, as well as during informal conversation, instill in me a heart of diligence and integrity. Also, help me implement these teachings in my own life before I stand as your representative, opening my integrity and your credibility to examination by others. (1 Cor. 9:27)
- Seek godly wisdom – Father, I would like to grow in godly wisdom and understanding that produce a good life and are demonstrated by deeds done in humility. (James 3:17-18)
- Reject worldly wisdom – Help me to discern and reject worldly wisdom that is driven by bitter envy and selfish ambition and that proves itself to be demonic. This produces a harvest of disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:14-16)
- Embrace discernment – Help me to discern and embrace godly wisdom that is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. This produces a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17-18)
- Don’t give up – If you live with stress, including high demands in the workplace and a struggle to make ends meet, don’t give up. Pray for the Lord to carry you through, and thank him for being with you. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).
- Trust the Lord – Because extremist groups and governments threaten world peace, fear and uncertainty has gripped our society. But as a child of God, you know who has the last word. Pray with confidence because the Lord cares for your needs. “Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Ps. 46:2).
- A secure shelter in trouble – Today 260 million Christians face persecution because of their faith, according to Open Doors. Please pray for the Lord to hide these believers in his presence and to grant them the experience of his unfailing love. “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells” (Ps. 46:4).
- God is faithful – Many times we can’t understand why God allows suffering and pain. Pray that you will not be impatient and sin through unbelief. Rather, trust the Lord, no matter what, and wait for him to reveal himself in his right timing. “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day” (Ps. 46:5).
- Our God rules – As men we are inclined to solve problems through our own initiative and strength. Even Christians are tempted to expect longstanding solutions to come by human effort alone. Pray for discernment, and know that God leads the destiny of the world. “Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts” (Ps. 46:6).
- Be still and know – Men, we live in a busy world. Endless tools of communication and many loud voices fight for our attention. Pray for wisdom to choose your priorities and to let the values of God’s kingdom guide you. Remember your responsibilities as a man, a husband, a father, a disciple of Jesus. Then, “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).
