1. Awareness – “For I know the plans I have for you…” (Jer. 29:11). In spite of your pain and suffering, believe that God loves you. He, who gave His only Son for you on the cross, knows and cares for you. Trust Him! He knows the end from the beginning and has “…plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
2. Fear – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear…” (2 Tim. 1:7). Resist the urge to fear when you are overwhelmed by helplessness and see no way out. Fear can paralyze you. You are a child of God and He wants to grant you His “… power and love and discipline.” With Him you can overcome.
3. Envy – “I was envious of the arrogant…until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end” (Psa. 73:3,17). If your burden is too heavy and you are tempted to envy others who seem to have it all together, cry out to the Lord for help. He loves you, is all powerful, and will carry the load with you. He gives songs in the night.
4. Doubt – “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). The natural man doubts God. But he, who honestly seeks to know Jesus, will hear Him speak supernaturally through His Word. Therefore friend, study the Bible.
5. Denial – “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Jesus, in His humanity, identified in everything with us. Don’t deny your problem. Ask Him to help you face reality. He wants to grant you grace in your time of need.
6. Discouragement – Thesuccess in your work projects, the well-being of your family, health and wealth are prone to failure and can bring great discouragement. Therefore, in your crisis trust the Lord like David: “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (Psa. 34:4).
7. The right focus – Do not allow bad news to steal your focus. Instead, remind yourself and others about the wonderful fact that the Lord wants to carry your burden today and, in the future, followers of Christ will be with Him forever. Pray that you will succeed in bringing a lot of people with you to heaven. (1 Thess. 4:16-18)
8. Fellowship – It is not easy to keep your faith burning without spiritual fellowship with other believers. If you have such a fellowship, give thanks to our Lord. If not, make it a point to seek a church and pray for the Lord to help you to establish such vital relations. (Acts 2:42)
9. A letter – As a follower of Christ you are His letter to the world, read by other people. (2 Cor. 3:2) Pray that your “letter” will be seen by others as an invitation to also seek the Lord.
10. Honoring God – We are all prone to seek self-fulfilment first and to forget the real purpose of our life, which is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Pray that God will grant you the ability to live a life that honors Him. (Col. 3:12)
11. A call is sufficient – “…and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me”(Psa. 50:15). Be a man who puts God first and who brings all his troubles to Him in prayer. Thank Him because He cares; you are important to Him.
12. Sacrifice of thanks – “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God” (Psa. 50:23). When I am thankful in life’s circumstances, whatever they may be, I express my trust in God’s wise and loving provision. He blesses such sacrifice of thanks and faith.
13. At all times – “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (Psa. 34:1). What enabled David to praise God in difficult circumstances? He had learned in the storms of life how God is gracious and faithful! Pray to be a man who also trusts the Lord, in all times, no matter what.
14. Merciful – Jesus shared in our humanity. Through His suffering He identified with us in order to show us mercy and help us in our trials. (Heb. 2:17,18) In the same way, God allows that we, His beloved children, also go through suffering. He desires to make us merciful and able to comfort and encourage others.
15. Praying together – “…so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Pet. 3:7). Peter writes to men how they should relate to their wives so that their prayers are acceptable to God. Men, let’s be honest and examine if we are following the Lord’s lead and if our prayers are being answered, or if correction is needed.
16. True worship – “He has showed you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Be a true worshiper as you apply God’s principles in all you do; love your neighbor as yourself and submit in reverence to the Lord.
17. Esteemed by God – “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isa. 66:3). Could there be a greater honor than to be esteemed by God? Men, choose right, submit your all to God Almighty and allow Him to speak and to guide you by His Word and Spirit.
18. The Great Commission – Your Christian witness can make the difference in people’s spiritual life or death. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:19,20).
19. A blessed nation – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance” (Psa. 33:12). To exclude God and His laws from the public arena is like cutting the lifeline for a healthy society. We men are called to be spiritual influencers, like salt and light, and are requested to pray for the authorities.
20. God ordained prayer – “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger and disputing” (1 Tim. 2:8). Prayer is the most important work for a man of God. We are called to engage in the spiritual warfare against the powers of darkness that have enslaved humanity and resist the proclamation of the Gospel.
21. Reliable men – “All the things you have heard me say… entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2). Am I, are you a reliable man? Have we developed a godly character that reflects the fruit of the Spirit? The advancement of the Gospel depends on it. Ask the Lord to search and to transform you.
22. Prayer: a way of life – Oh Lord, for so long I prayed as if it all depended on me. I thought if I prayed long enough and good enough then You would answer. But now, I realize that true prayer depends upon You. So, my prayer must be ‘the prayer of faith’ in dependency upon You. Cause me to have an attitude of total trust in You. (Luke 18:1-8)
23. Good intentions – Heavenly Father, everyone seems intent on using me or abusing me. However, Your motive is clear: You love me and want the best for me. Thank you! I will entrust my life to You. Cause me to see You in all things and trust You so that I can experience Your goodness through all things. (Gen. 50:20)
24. God’s wake-up call – Dear God, I have been asleep with my spiritual senses dulled. Therefore, I was oblivious to all you had made available for me in Christ. I need You to turn on the light in my life. I ask You to enlighten me regarding my spiritual resources in Christ. Cause me to walk in the light of Your life. (Eph. 5:14)
25. Magnify the Lord – Dear Lord Jesus, I have tried so hard to act like You. Now, I know that cannot happen by imitation, but only through transformation. You alone can live the Christian life. Therefore, I ask You to live Your life through me. Then, Your life in me will be magnified through me. Thank you, Lord! (Phil. 1:20,21)
26. Temptation: no problem – Oh Lord, temptation is always possible because Satan, the tempter, is always present. However, temptation merely reminds me that my flesh is weak; but You, Lord, have overcome Satan. I praise You that I am now more than a conqueror through Christ who delivers me from temptations. (Matt. 6:13)
27. Form of godliness – “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away” (2 Tim. 3:5). Religious tradition is never a substitute for a personal relationship with Christ. Be a man who surrenders to the lordship of Christ, obeys His Word and allows for the power of the Holy Spirit to transform your life.
28. Defense – Taking a stand for the defense of his family is a man’s duty – not only in the material and financial areas. Happy is the man who stands against secularism and teaches his children the precepts of the Word. “In the fear of the LORD there is firm confidence, and his children will have a place of refuge” (Prov. 14:26).
29. Prodigal – Children who follow the Lord’s path are a source of joy and blessing! When, however, children follow sinful paths, the parents can intercede and cry out to the Lord for them as Samuel did. “As for me, far be it from me to sin against the LORD in ceasing to make intercession for you” (1 Sam. 12:23).
30. Unblemished – Pornography has spread like a pandemic. The Lord’s standard for marriage is a spotless bed. (Heb. 13:4) He wants for men to honor God to the extent that they maintain a pure life from the time they are single and during their marriage. Husband, pray for a pure mind and hold your wife in the highest esteem.
