1. A successful leader stays focused on the larger vision, not allowing himself to become too preoccupied with smaller details. Pray for Christian leaders today, that God will help them stay focused on Jesus and his calling to preach the gospel to the whole world (Luke 24:47).
2. The apostle Paul told the believers in Thessalonica that they would be “the crown in which he will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes” (1 Thess. 2:16). Are you, like Paul, a visionary missionary for Jesus? If not, ask him today to help you become one.
3. The apostle Paul said to the church in Galatia: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). Pray that Jesus will live his life in and through you. And remember that by spending time with him in prayer and Bible reading, you allow him to transform you from within (2 Cor. 3:18).
4. We all face various obstacles in our lives, and sometimes we can feel that evil forces totally overwhelm us. If you feel this way, remind yourself that Jesus Christ on Calvary defeated the evil forces – once and forever (Col. 2:15). Allow for the Lord to take control of all the areas in your life and live victoriously.
5. King David sinned against God by counting his soldiers instead of putting his trust solely in God (2 Sam. 24:2). Similarly, we might be tempted to put our trust in our own strength, our jobs, our bank accounts or various kinds of insurance. Whatever your circumstances, put your trust in the Lord. If you find it difficult to do so, ask him to help you (Zech. 4:6).
6. Holidays can create temptations to spend more money than is wise or available. Pray that men will model financial integrity to their wives and families during those seasons (Phil. 4:19).
7. Pray for men to accept their God-given responsibility to provide for their families. This might become for some an overwhelming challenge. If this is your case, don’t give up, but trust God to help you to provide for your family’s needs (1 Tim. 5:8).
8. Some men believe teaching children spiritual truth is the responsibility of wives or the Church. Pray that God will give all fathers a desire to teach their children God’s truth, both in word and deed (Prov. 1:8).
9. Many women bring woundedness from past hurts into their marriages. This can cause some to be contentious and difficult to love. Pray that men in this situation will seek God’s strength to love and cherish their wives (1 Cor. 13:7).
10. An angry husband can crush the spirit of his wife and children. Pray that these husbands will see their anger as sin and then repent and get help to overcome it. (Prov. 14:29).
11. Dear Lord, it is so easy to say that you are Lord. But there are times I realize I am not doing what you tell me, and that indicates I have not fully surrendered to your lordship over my life. Therefore, I submit myself to you. I acknowledge you as Lord over all my life (Luke 6:46).
12. Lord Jesus, when I look back over my life it is evident that some of my labor has been in vain. I want my life to count in all I say and do. Therefore, I give up all fleshly efforts to work for you. I trust you to work through me. Thank you, Lord, for enabling me so that my labors will not be in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).
13. Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me a new heart. Now that I have a heart aligned with you, I can love you with all of it. I want to do your will because I love you. My love for you compels me, by the power of your Spirit, to do whatever you say. I love you, Lord! (John 14:15, 23).
14. Oh Lord, now that you live in me, the love of God constrains me. Your commandments are no longer grievous. Your commandments are an expression of your will, and I delight to do your will. Therefore, keeping your commandments comes naturally for me in Christ (John 5:3).
15. World news often seems to reflect the end times that Jesus spoke about in Luke 21:25-26 – namely, a time of natural disasters, war and rumors of war. He warned his disciples not to be deceived by false prophets and to not to be troubled. Pray for a mind that is focused on the promises of God and a heart that is resting in the loving care of the Prince of Peace (Heb. 13:8).
16. When Jesus came to this world, he came as God’s light to those who dwelt in the land of shadow of death (Isa. 9:2). Christ is the light of the world, and he said, “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Be a follower of Jesus and pray that through your life, others will be led to experience his hope and life.
17. Doubting God’s order and making truth appear relative was already Satan’s scheme in the garden. The trend to abandon moral and absolute truth is rampant in Western societies. Those who stand up for biblical truth and absolutes are ostracized and called backward and bigots. Pray for wisdom and courage so that you can be light and salt in your environment (Matt. 5:10-12).
18. Christian customs have no transformational power in themselves. You must be born again to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). You must be in Christ, a new creation, to experience the new life in him (2 Cor. 5:17). If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, ask him now to come into your life. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
19. The best way to influence your government is by praying for those in authority. The battle for the hearts and the destinies of men is fought in the heavenly places. Be a prayer warrior. Seek God’s presence with rever-ence and intercede with faith in the name of Jesus for men and women who serve in public office (1 Tim. 2:1).
20. “The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin” (Prov. 10:8). Be willing to listen to God’s Word and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit. Even if others mock and ridicule you, trust the Lord to guide and direct your path. He will honor you (Isa. 66:2).
21. It has been said that “hurt people hurt people.” If you have anger issues, don’t simply excuse your behavior or blame others. Ask the Lord to reveal to you where the fear and frustration in your life stem from. Then forgive the people who hurt you in Jesus’ name and allow the Holy Spirit to control your emotions (Gal. 5:16-17).
22. Please pray for the TWR Men’s Ministry Initiative. The monthly Champions Arise prayer calendar, the programs over the internet and local radio stations, and the Every Man A Warrior discipleship course are a dynamic, three-prong approach that invites men to experience God intimately and to serve him wholeheartedly.
23. Be ready and apply God’s instruction to withstand the onslaught of evil. “Guard your heart. … Put away perversity from your mouth. … Let your eyes look straight ahead. … Make level paths for your feet. … Keep your foot from evil” (Prov. 4:23-27). Be prepared for battle, and dress up in the whole armor of faith (Eph. 6:10-18).
24. One of the hindrances to relationships and prayer is prejudice. Since God is impartial, however, “champions” should value everyone, regardless of ethnicity or nationality. “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1 Pet. 1:17).
25. As intercessors, we need to promote justice and truth. Although the world is filled with injustice, we are to be salt and light awaiting Christ’s victorious return. Revelation 15:3 prophesies this triumph: “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’”
26. Some men have been adopted, have a disappointing relationship with their earthly father or both. However, in Christ we have a new identity as sons of God and the security of praying to a God who welcomes us. “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:15-16).
27. In the difficulties of life, we can be encouraged by the enablement of the Holy Spirit. Christ gave this promise that has been fulfilled in believers: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26).
28. So many of our challenges seem insurmountable. That’s how the governor of Israel felt when he returned to a ruined Jerusalem. But the assurance that he was given is also a promise for us today: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts’” (Zech. 4:6).
29. “Are we living in the end times?” has been a question asked even by secular media in light of the natural catastrophes during the past couple of months. Pray to be prepared when Jesus returns! “There will be signs … and on the earth dismay … at the roaring of the sea and the waves. … Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:25-27).
30. With Lonnie Berger coming on board as the global director of TWR men’s ministry, there is an ongoing emphasis through Champions Arise and Every Man A Warrior to call Christian men back to their primary assignment as godly leaders in the family and society. Pray for Lonnie and his team during this time of transition (Ezek. 22:30).
