A Prayer about Rejoicing in Suffering

by | Jun 17, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth, Suffering

A Prayer about Rejoicing in Suffering

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…Romans 5:3-4

Lord Jesus,

Yesterday we prayed about rejoicing 

“in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).

Today we need to face the fact that, 

for those who follow you, 

suffering is not only normal, 

but also a cause for rejoicing. 

That doesn’t really fit our American narrative, 

so help us by your Spirit to understand:

Suffering produces endurance: 

As we fix our eyes on you, 

the “founder and perfecter” of our faith 

who endured the cross for us (Hebrews 12:2), 

we are empowered by your Spirit to keep walking forward, 

one new mercy at a time.

Endurance produces character: 

Through suffering, you are making us “mature and complete” (James 1:4), 

people who are wise and compassionate, 

tender and strong comforters, 

people who don’t toss out spiritual Band-aids, 

people who listen carefully 

and give wise counsel at the right time.

Character produces hope: 

As you grow our endurance and character through suffering, 

we long even more for the future day 

when you will return and make all things new. 

This is the essence of hope, 

and it is a hope that will never disappoint (Romans 5:5).

In your name. Amen.

Read Romans 5:1-5.



A Prayer about the Grace in Which We Stand

by | Jun 16, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Grace in Which We Stand

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Lord Jesus Christ,

What peace and hope and joy we have 

when we trust in you for our salvation.

In you, we have “obtained access,” 

that is, gained entrance into secure relationship with God. 

It’s like the Queen of England has an open door policy 

inviting us into her state room. 

But it’s even better than that. 

Not only are we given an audience with the Queen, 

she welcomes us with delight, 

like familiar family she really loves. 

We don’t wobble in your grace 

as though we’re about to fall out of it; 

we stand in it. 

We are held secure in your grace, 

which will not let us go. 

We stand tall and strong like mighty oaks, 

Unmoved by difficult circumstances.

Not only that, in this grace we rejoice, even boast. 

We are so confident in your grace 

that we want to shout it out like thrilled fans at a football game. 

Our sure hope for today and for the coming years

is that the glory of God will be known throughout all the earth. 

Our joy comes in knowing 

that we get to play a bit part in the story of your glory. 

In your justifying name. Amen. 

Read Romans 4:13-5:2.



A Prayer about Hope that Doesn’t Shame Us

by | Jun 16, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Hope that Doesn’t Shame Us

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

Father God,

Yesterday we prayed about our truest hope. 

Today we look at the promise this hope gives.

What a kind promise:

Hope does not put us to shame…

Many of us have known the shame 

of hoping for things on this earth—

hoping that our parents would get back together, 

hoping that our wandering child would return to you, 

hoping that a disease would be cured,

hoping that we’d get that good job—

all good things to hope for, 

and yet we’ve felt shame about those hopes disappointed.

You dare us to hope again, 

promising that your love has been “poured into our hearts” (Romans 5:5).

Because of that love, 

even if our earthly hopes are disappointed, 

our hope for the future is secure. 

One day, Jesus will return. 

One day, you will wipe away tears 

shed on this earth.

One day, you will welcome us warmly 

to your new heavens and new earth, 

where all hopes are fulfilled 

in your glorious kingdom. 

We can hardly wait for that day.

In Jesus’ hope-giving name we pray. Amen. 

Read Romans 5:5; Revelation 21:1-5. 



A Prayer about the Perfect Father

by | Jun 14, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Perfect Father

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Good and Faithful Father,

On this day 

when some celebrate their earthly fathers 

while some grieve fathers who’ve left this earth 

and others long for the presence of a good father, 

we thank you that you are a better father even 

than this waiting father 

in the story of the lost sons (Luke 15:11-32).

You have run to us through your Son; 

you have embraced us by his death for our sins; 

you have robed us in Christ’s righteousness; 

you have kissed us and welcomed us home 

because of your extravagant grace.

On this Father’s Day on earth, 

let us remember that for those who belong to you, 

every day is Father’s Day, 

every day is a day to praise and thank you, 

our good and glorious Father. 

In your precious Son’s name. Amen.

Read Luke 15:11-32.



A Prayer about Daring to Hope for What We Cannot See

by | Jun 14, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Daring to Hope for What We Cannot See

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? Romans 8:24

Heavenly Father,

What profound hope we have 

because of our Savior’s 

sinless life, 

sacrificial death, 

secure resurrection, 

and sustaining ascension. 

It’s true, we can’t physically see this hope with our own eyes. 

It’s true, this hope isn’t like 

hoping it doesn’t rain on our parade, 

hoping the boss offers the promotion, 

or hoping the scan reveals “no evidence of disease.” 

This hope focuses on the future glory, 

yet to be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). 

This hope fixes itself in the redemption and adoption 

Jesus secured for us (Romans 8:23). 

This hope wrestles with present suffering 

realistically and patiently, 

neither denying the pain 

nor caving to cynicism (Romans 8:18). 

This hope helps us to wait with patience in earthly trials—

snarly traffic, 

airport delays, 

and long recoveries. 

This hope helps us to wait with patience 

for our forever future 

in the new heavens and new earth—

the day of no more pain, death, and tears (Revelation 21:4).  

Thank you, Father, for calling us to a hope that will surely save.

Read Romans 8:18-25.



A Prayer about the Occupied Throne

by | Jun 11, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Occupied Throne

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:13

Our Heavenly King,

We confess, 

Most of us have never never seen a throne in real life, 

and sometimes it’s hard to understand 

what it means that you’re sitting 

on the throne of heaven, 

right this very minute. 

Show us, we pray, 

that we might see you as our glorious King 

even as we wait for the day 

we will gather before your throne in person.

Because you are on the throne, 

we can wait for that day confidently, 

knowing that the day of judgment approaches

for evil rulers who seem to be winning over the world 

with their corrupt power. 

Because you are on the throne, 

we can wait peacefully, 

knowing that our King is seated on the throne, 

not pacing the floor wringing his hands in worry 

about the wretched state of the cosmos. 

Because you are on the throne, we can wait gratefully, 

seeing the King who suffered for us to make us his people. 

Because you are on the throne, we can wait worshipfully, 

bowing with all the saints of heaven 

before your occupied throne, 

singing the praise of our benevolent King.

In Jesus’ just and merciful name we pray. 

Amen.

Read Revelation 4-5.