Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Eph. 3:20-21 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, on this Monday in June, we stand in awe of your ability to “do immeasurably more than all we ask and imagine.” Creating the world and raising Jesus are proof enough. But today our prayer lists don’t contain things beyond the stretch of our imagination, but things and people we think about a whole lot.
We ask you to convert our friends, spouses, and children who still live as though they’re allergic to your grace. May Jesus become irresistible to them. We pray for missionaries we know and love, but too easily forget. May the gospel be sweeter and truer than ever to them. May the Holy Spirit be powerfully at work in their various stories and contexts—bringing fruit, providing support, and flourishing their marriages and relationships.
Father, we pray for friends suffering with chronic pain, and those living with a diagnosis of “terminal illness.” We’ll never tire of praying for healing and comfort; but show us how to be present and love well when you seem to be writing a bigger story with different chapters.
We ask you to bring encouragement to pastors suffering with discouragement, burnout, and depression. We pray for single moms juggling the complexities of parenthood, finance, and loneliness. We ask you to keep us sensitive to pray for whatever and whomever the Holy Spirit so quickens us.
We ask you to renew our first love for Jesus and refresh our joy. As our culture dramatically changes and faith become more marginalized, deepen our walk with you, intensify our love for our neighbors, and supersize our hope. Give us little irrefutable glimpses, Father, of how you are very much at work in all things, for your glory and our good. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ mighty and merciful name.
