1. The kingdom – John the Baptist preached a simple message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt 3:1). Later, Jesus preached the same message. Now the baton is in your hands. Pray that our Father in heaven will use you as an ambassador for his kingdom – to his glory and for salvation of many people.
2. Good acts – Jesus wants you to do acts of righteousness with the right motivation – not to be seen by other people but for God’s glory to be revealed through your life (Matt. 6:1). Lord, help me to live my life in a way that pleases you and glorifies your holy name. Shine your light through me, O Lord, and lead me in your righteousness.
3. A good tree – Jesus reminds us that every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit (Matt. 7:17). Are you a good tree? Or a bad one? If you know in your heart that the latter is true about you, pray today that God will transform you before it is too late.
4. Make a difference – Does your life make a difference for other people? When was the last time you encouraged a fellow believer or shared your faith with a nonbeliever? We should all, from time to time, evaluate our lives to see if they make a difference. Don’t just live for yourself. “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Ps. 139:23-24).
5. Worthy of the gospel – When you invited Jesus into your life, you became a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). He gave you a new life, and he granted you eternal life to be spent with him. Now you have a calling: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). Pray that God will help you to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
6. Never alone – O Lord God, your presence is beyond description! Thank you for coming to indwell me and for allowing me the pleasure of your presence. I am honored that my life contains yours. Fill me with your Spirit, so that I can have fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. I praise you for putting me on the pathway to purposeful living! (Ps. 16:11)
7. Amazing grace – Heavenly Father, I praise your holy name for taking the divine initiative in coming to me in the person of Jesus Christ. His death upon the cross provided cleansing for all my unrighteousness. Thank you that you have cleansed me, purified me and provided for all my needs. Truly, your grace is amazing! (Isa. 1:18-19)
8. Loving mercy – Dear God, I am astounded that you would desire a relationship with me. In humility, I acknowledge my total weakness and need of you. Thank you for making yourself available to me by imparting your life into me. I trust you to cause me to act justly and love mercy as I walk in union with you. (Mic. 6:8)
9. You are my all – Oh Lord, I am in awe of you because you have invited me to seek your face – your very presence. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to be up close and personal with you. You are all I need, and you are all I want. I seek to know you, enjoy you and cooperate with you in faithful obedience. You are my Lord, my life and my all! (Ps. 27:8)
10. God’s kingdom – Lord Jesus, your kingdom is not of this world; it is spiritual. Cause me to shift my focus from the temporal, physical realm to the eternal, spiritual realm of your kingdom. Fill me with your Spirit so that your righteous character will be expressed through me with peace and joy. (Rom. 14:17-18)
11. Speak truth – “Speak truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts” (Zech. 8:16). Truth is the property of being in accord with relevant facts and reality. Don’t allow self-interest and political correctness to cloud your mind. Pray for Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life, to determine your words and actions.
12. Grow in Christ – “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Eph. 4:15). Truth without love can be cruel. Love without truth can be false. Pray to be a man who stands for truth but who, at the same time, will respect and not overwhelm others, helping them instead to grow in Christ.
13. Men of truth – “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). To sanctify means to set apart or to consecrate. Men who love and follow Christ allow for his Spirit to set their course of action. Pray for the Lord to use Scripture – which is the absolute truth – to teach, rebuke, correct and train you in righteousness.
14. Among the blind – “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:4). Since the fall, sin rules the world. But remember that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Humbly pray for the Lord to make you his ambassador of hope, love and forgiveness.
15. Fearless – “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Compassion for people was the hallmark of the first Christians. “The love of Christ compels us,” wrote the apostle Paul. If you are a believer, pray for that first love to again burn in your heart. Be a fearless witness to others of Christ’s salvation.
16. Character – “Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean” (Matt. 23:26). Character means having good mental and moral qualities, such as integrity, honesty, courage, loyalty, fortitude and other virtues that promote good behavior. Pray to be a man who demonstrates these qualities and so honors Christ.
17. Celebrate – “Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling” (Ps. 2:11). Father, the rulers of this world are really making a mess of things. We look to you for our life and security. We celebrate you for who you are and for what you have done.
18. Divine refuge – “Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Ps. 2:12). Lord, sometimes it is hard to sort friend from foe. You have been very patient and gentle with us. Help us to never forget your holiness and might.
19. Obey God – “Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men’” (Acts 5:29). Almighty God, we are rebellious by nature, and we hate being bullied by anyone. Only you can discern our hearts. In a time when defiance of the authorities is the norm, guard our attitudes and help us to choose wisely.
20. Blind minds – “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1. Cor. 2:14). Loving Father, rebuke the god of this world and open the eyes of unbelievers so that they may see you.
21. God, bless our nation – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance” (Ps. 33:12). Lord, while we realize that no nation has a claim on you, our hearts’ desire is that you would have mercy on our nation. Preserve and protect the means of grace you have bestowed on us.
22. Choose right – “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). Strategic planning is a sign of foresight and responsibility. How much more when it applies to the unchanging and eternal values. Don’t get lost in the everyday nitty-gritty of life. Pray to have wisdom to choose what really matters.
23. Resist – “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isa. 5:20). As the compass points north, so God wants to turn human hearts toward him. Be a student of God’s Word. Pray to resist the urge of sin and the spirit of the times around you.
24. Agents of peace – “For men’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (Jas. 1:20). There is much injustice in this world. But anger and violent demonstrations lead only to more injustice. Pray that you and the church of Christ will be a agents of peace and reconciliation in these days of much hate and turmoil.
25. Control – “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath, do not fret – it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land” (Ps. 37:8-9). Resist the temptation to react in outbursts of anger when what is wrong wins a skirmish. Pray for patience. Allow for the Lord to control your emotions and actions.
26. Let God lead – In this time of global pandemic, growing unrest and strife, the future looks bleak and threatening. Look up and pray! Focus on the Lord and his promises. He loves and cares for you. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way” (Ps. 37:23).
27. Be upright – “Mark a blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace” (Ps. 37:37). Only as we live depending on God’s grace and lean on him in all we do can we become upright. Be this kind of man. Pray for a humble heart. Be a man of the Word, and lead your family with hope into the future.
28. Be blessed – “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods” (Ps. 40:4). We men are doers. We like to take matters into our own hands. God made us this way. But he also created us for himself. Therefore, pray to put God first in all you are and do and to be blessed by him.
29. Be unique – “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” (Gen. 41:38). The king of Egypt had never found a man like Joseph, a man who was unique and in touch with God. What about you? TWR’s ministry for men, online at everymanawarrior.com, will help you to become a man of God. Get in touch with us.
30. Fear God – “But select capable men … men who fear God, trustworthy men, who hate dishonest gain” (Exod. 18:21). Character is the most important quality of a man. Pray for the fear of God to determine your priorities as a man, husband, father and productive member of society.
