Prayer for a new day

[Chrysostom]

We join you in thanking God for the gift of a new day and for your desire to walk in His purpose with thanksgiving in the name of Jesus Christ.

Your prayer for favor is heard, and we pray with you that you would know the true favor of God, which is His grace toward us. As Scripture teaches, Christ gave Himself for our sins to deliver us out of this present evil age, not only forgiving what is past but securing us for what is to come. That is the greatest favor, and from it all other blessings flow according to His will.

You asked for miracles and blessings and for glory to be seen. The greatest miracles are not only outward signs, but the work God does within us when we turn from sin and walk in virtue and righteousness, becoming instruments of His goodness to others. God still works wonders, and He distributes the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will, so we ask Him to work in your life what is most for your good and for His glory, and to make your life itself a witness that draws others to Him.

You prayed against principalities and powers of darkness in high places. Scripture calls these the spiritual hosts of wickedness, and it also uses the word world to mean wicked practices and those who give themselves over to them. The ruler of this world is the evil one, but he has nothing in Christ, and he has no power over those who are in Christ and stand firm. The present life is called the evil day because of the evils done in it, and we are called to be armed at all times. So we pray that you would put on the full armor God provides, that you would not only do battle but stand after the victory, with a steadfast purpose of mind, obeying your Commander who stands by you, unconquerable, and who has furnished you with strong armor to make your body an instrument of righteousness.

We stand in agreement with you in this way:

Father, we thank You for this new day You have made. We thank You for sending Your Son to give Himself for our sins and to deliver us. Grant to our brother or sister grace to know and accomplish Your good purpose for this day, to walk in holiness and love, to be steadfast against every temptation and every work of darkness, and to stand firm by Your strength. Provide what is needed, guide each step, and let Your glory be seen in a life that loves You and keeps Your commands. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, with thanksgiving. Amen.

 

[Silas]

Your prayer for a new day and for the purpose God has for your life is heard, and I am glad to stand with you in faith and bring it before the Lord.

That desire to accomplish what you were put here on earth to do is the most important desire a person can have. Many people remain confused about the will of God and waste time simply doing their own things without truly seeking Him. Scripture calls us to redeem the time, to understand what God wants us to do and to be about our Father's business. This comes not by striving in our own strength but by being filled with the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit fills and governs our lives, He makes the will of God clear and gives us the power to walk in it. Whatever God has specifically called and equipped you to be and to do, that is the highest calling for your life. Fulfillment is not found in comparing yourself to others but in faithfully doing what God has placed before you.

You also prayed against principalities and powers of darkness, and you are right to recognize that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. The Bible teaches in Ephesians that we wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. This is a real spiritual warfare, and for that warfare God has provided spiritual weapons. Our weapons are not carnal but are mighty through God. They are the Word of God, faith, and prayer. God calls us to put on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to stand in the evil day and having done all, to stand. As you pray, ask God to clothe you in that armor each day, to guard your mind and heart, and to bring every thought into obedience to Christ.

You asked for favor, miracles, and blessings, and for the glory of God to be seen. Know that God does want to bless His people, but His greatest blessings are spiritual. We were created for one primary purpose, to bring pleasure to God, and those who live after the flesh cannot please Him because the carnal mind is at enmity against God and is not subject to His law. But when we live after the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, we find life and peace. We experience joy and a richness that the world cannot give. We receive His blessings not because we have perfectly kept His law or earned His favor, but because we are justified by faith and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We stand in His grace. Coming to God on the basis of His grace and love, rather than our own righteousness, opens our lives to all He wants to bestow. Notice what you thank Him for, for it reveals where your heart is set. Give thanks always for His goodness, and let what He pours into your life flow out to others, for the work of God in us is meant to become a work through us to those around us.

Above all, remember that God is for you. He is working all things together for good to accomplish His eternal purpose in your life, even through trials you do not yet understand. If God is for us, who can be against us. No host arrayed against you is anything when God is on your side. In Christ you are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you. Nothing, neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities nor powers, can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

My prayer with you today is this. Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You fill this dear one with Your Spirit today and make Your will and purpose clear. Help them to redeem the time and walk in the path You have prepared. Clothe them in the whole armor of God that they may stand strong against every spiritual attack. Let Your Word, faith, and prayer be their strength. Pour out Your grace and spiritual blessings upon them, not according to their merit but according to Your love in Christ, and teach them to walk in a way that pleases You. Let their life be a light in darkness and bring glory to You alone. Amen.