Author: Charles Spurgeon

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Our Father in heaven, you are infinitely beyond the grasp of our understanding; but in great condescension, you have brought yourself very near to the grasp of our love, and we trust this morning many of us can say with all sincerity, “you know all things. You know that I love you.” O Lord, it has seemed to us impossible not to love you; for you are so supremely lovable, so full of goodness, so perfect.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3–4)

Seek secrecy for your good deeds. Do not even see your own virtue. Hide from yourself that which you yourself have done that is commendable; for the proud contemplation of your own generosity may tarnish all your alms. Keep the thing so secret that even you yourself are hardly aware that you are doing anything at all praiseworthy. Let God be present, and you will have enough of an audience. He will reward you, reward you “openly”, reward you as a Father rewards a child, reward you as one who saw what you did, and knew that you did it wholly unto him.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
How to enjoy the supremely lovable God in 2021.

If you haven’t read John Piper’s classic book, Desiring God, make plans to do so soon. The point of this book is a simple call to love and treasure God above everything else because he is supremely valuable.

We all want to love and enjoy God more next year, and this book is a great resource to help you along the way. It is full of Bible and is profoundly helpful. Expect to read this book slowly and repeatedly — it’s just so deep!

Buy Desiring God today on Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions.

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*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Father, glorify your Son! In scattering pardon through his precious blood, glorify your Son! In sending forth the eternal Spirit to convince men, and bring them to his feet, Father, glorify your Son! In enriching your saints with gifts and graces, and building them up into his image, Father, glorify your Son!

In the gathering together of the whole company of his elect, and in the hastening of his kingdom, and his coming, Father, glorify your Son! Beyond this prayer we cannot go. Glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you; and to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be glory forever and ever.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)

Present distress must not be viewed as if it would last forever: it is not the end, by any means, but only a means to the end. Sorrow is our sowing, rejoicing shall be our reaping. We must sow: we may have to sow in the wet weather of sorrow, but we shall reap, and reap in the bright summer season of joy. Let us keep to the work of this present sowing time, and find strength in the promise which is here so positively given us. Here is one of the Lord’s shalls and wills; it is freely given both to workers, waiters, and weepers, and they may rest assured that it will not fail: “in due season they shall reap.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
Celebrate Christmas with Spurgeon’s best sermons.

Reading Spurgeon’s classic Christmas and Christmas Eve sermons has become one of my favorite family Christmas traditions. These sermons are so rich and help us all remember the wonderful gift of God’s Son that came down at Christmas.

If you want to read Spurgeon’s Christmas sermons, please buy a copy of my new book, Spurgeon on Christmas. This book is a compilation of 14 classic Spurgeon sermons on Christmas, the incarnation, and the birth of our Lord. There’s still time to order and read this book before Christmas!

Buy Spurgeon on Christmas today on Amazon.

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*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
As we are now making intercession; we would, according to your word, pray for all kings and such as are in authority, that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives (1 Timothy 2:1–2). We pray for all nations also. O Lord bless and remember the lands that sit in darkness, and let them see a great light; and may the missionary enterprise be abundantly successful.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“The Lord told them, ‘The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.’” (Luke 10:2)

The seventy were very few compared with the many that were needed. There were many loiterers about then as there are now, but the laborers were few. There were preachers of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and they were not worth a penny a hundred; but the true laborers, who watched for souls, and preached Christ with all their hearts, were very few. It is the same today; and therefore we are to pray for more laborers. A good minister always desires to see more good ministers. In a trade, every tradesman would be glad if those of the same trade as himself would move to another parish; but in the profession of a Christian minister, the more the merrier.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
Christmas Gift Idea: The Bible’s Biggest Story for the Smallest of Hearts

Great Christmas gift idea for any child, grandchild, or parent you know: The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung tells the big story in an approachable way for kids of all ages. This book is full of beautiful, creative illustrations and gospel truth. 

The Biggest Story is easy to pick up and hard to put down. The colorful pictures will captivate the youngest children, while the rich symbolism will keep even older kids engaged. This is one of my favorite kids’ books!

Buy The Biggest Story on Amazon (Less than $15 right now!)

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*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
The Lord grant that the many, for whom there is no special gospel service, but who are wrapped up in self-righteousness, might be brought to hear the gospel of Jesus, that they might come to Christ. God bless this land with more of gospel light; with more of gospel life and love. You will hear us, O Lord! We pray for our servants, for our neighbors, for our kinsfolk of near or far degree, that all might be brought to Jesus. Do this, O God, of your infinite mercy!

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger…” (Ephesians 4:26)

Be angry sometimes. A man that is never angry, surely has no strong convictions in him, for he that is not angry at evil can scarcely be thought to rejoice in that which is good. But anger is a dog that is very apt to bite the wrong persons; therefore, be angry, and do not sin.

Anger is like fire. Let it always be put out at night. “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath,” but if it lights during the day, keep it in the grate—keep it in its proper place, for if fire takes hold where it should not, the house may be destroyed, and the man himself may perish in the fire. If you are angry, as you sometimes must be, “be angry and sin not. Let not the sun go down on your wrath.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
Address conflict with a biblical strategy

We all face conflict in our homes, in our workplaces, and anywhere else we interact with other sinners like us, so we need a robust and biblical strategy for addressing conflict. One of the best books I’ve read on dealing with conflict in a distinctly Christian way is The Peacemaker by Ken Sande.

We should also aspire to be peacemakers because Christ promised that peacemakers will be blessed (Matthew 5:9). The Peacemaker offers biblical guidance for dealing with conflict and sin, and becoming a peacemaker.

Buy The Peacemaker on Amazon in paperback or Kindle formats.

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*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
We pray for our children, that they might be saved. Some of us can no longer pray for our children’s conversion: our prayers are heard already, but there are others who have children who vex them and grieve their hearts. O God, save sons and daughters of godly people. Let them not have to sigh over their children as Eli did, and as Samuel did; and may they see their sons and daughters become the children of the living God.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.” (Ephesians 6:2–3)

It has been observed that God frequently prospers those who have shown dutiful attention to their parents; at any rate, such children are in the right way, and we all know that the way of duty is the way of safety and happiness. On the other hand, unkindness to parents has often been remarkably punished in this life. Nothing shortens life like rebellion against parents. Absalom is a prominent instance of this general rule. Moreover, this sin is a dreadful sign of a graceless nature. He who does not love and honor his father and mother whom he has seen certainly does not love the Lord whom he has not seen.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
Christmas Gift Recommendation: Big Theology for Little Hearts

Three of my favorite new books this year have been the “Big Theology for Little Hearts” series, by Devon and Jessica Provencher (published by Crossway). Help your children understand what God is like with these three board books. Each one is full of simple language, engaging illustrations, and rich truth about who God is.

The first three books in this series are available now on Amazon:

• God
• Jesus
• The Gospel

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
O Lord, bring the multitudes of the working men to listen to the gospel. Break in, we pray, upon their stolid indifference; for how many there are of them who have not yet risen from their beds this morning, who have not thought of coming up to any place of worship—Lord give them a love for your house, a desire to hear your gospel.

And then, will you look upon the poor rich who, so many of them, know nothing about you, and are worshipping their own wealth.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)

He would sooner unmake them than desert his people. He that made heaven and earth could certainly find shelter for us either in heaven or in earth. He cannot, he will not leave us; he will make room for us in heaven when there is no room for us here. What a blessed thing it is to look right away from the creature to the Creator! The creature may fail you, but the Creator is an ever-springing well of all-sufficient grace.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
The Christmas story for kids

If you’re looking to help your children, grandchildren, or littlest friends understand the reason for the season, The Christmas Promise is a great resource. Part of the Tales that Tell the Truth series, this book shares the hope of Christmas — God’s promise of a King to rule the earth and crush sin and death. 

Kids (and their parents!) will love The Christmas Promise.

Buy The Christmas Promise on Amazon.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
There are some of us that cried to you about our country. You know how, in secret, we groaned and sighed over evil times; and you have begun to hear us already, for which we desire to praise and bless your name. But we would not cease to pray for this land, that you would roll away from it all its sin—that you would deliver it from the curse of drunkenness, from infidelity, from false religion, from ritualism, from rationalism, and every form of evil; and that this land might become a holy land.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!” (Galatians 1:9)

The modern style of speaking is, “Let us fraternize with him; he is a man of original thought. Surely, you would not bind all men down to one mode of speech. Perhaps, if he has made mistakes, you will bring him round to your way of thinking by receiving him kindly into your fellowship.” “No, no;” says Paul, “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preaches any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
Spurgeon lived in a day of theological crisis.

While many of the Christians around him were denying crucial doctrines such as the virgin birth or salvation in Christ alone, Spurgeon stood firm on the Word of God. Spurgeon was a defender of God’s Word and God’s Gospel, even against fierce opposition.

You can learn the story of Spurgeon’s faithfulness in The Forgotten Spurgeon by Iain Murray.

Buy The Forgotten Spurgeon on Amazon.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Throughout this year, all of our path has been strewn with mercies, and we desire this morning to record, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,” (Psalm 103:2). We thank you now in the retrospect for the trials which we have endured. Some of us have been brought very low with physical pain and mental weariness, and others have been sorely smitten with bereavement, losses, and crosses, and persecutions, but there is not one out of all our trials which we could have afforded to have been without.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:2)

Not so much as one of the divine dealings should be forgotten,they are all really beneficial to us, all worthy of himself, and all subjects for praise. Memory is very treacherous about the best things; by a strange perversity, engendered by the fall, it treasures up the refuse of the past and permits priceless treasures to lie neglected, it is tenacious of grievances and holds benefits all too loosely. It needs spurring to its duty, though that duty ought to be its delight. Observe that the psalmist calls all that is within him to remember all the Lord’s benefits. For our task, all of our energies should be suitably called out. God’s all cannot be praised with less than our all. Reader, have we not cause enough at this time to bless him who blesses us?

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
Learning from Spurgeon’s struggle with depression.

When Spurgeon prayed today’s prayer, thanking God for trials, he was most likely thinking about his own struggle with depression. Throughout his life, Spurgeon was plagued with crippling depression.

A great book on Spurgeon’s struggle with depression is Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for Those Who Suffer from Depression by Zack Eswine. This book isn’t just a biography of Spurgeon — it describes lessons that we can learn from his real battle with depression.

Spurgeon’s Sorrows is a great resource for anyone who struggles with depression, and it’s a great Christ-centered Christmas gift that you can buy for someone else.

Buy Spurgeon’s Sorrows on Amazon.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
In the recollection of all that you have done for us your people, we are filled with amazement as well as with gratitude, that you should have loved us before the foundation of the world, that sovereign love should have pitched upon us poor unworthy ones, that you should so love us as to redeem us with the blood of Jesus and give the only Begotten to die for unworthy creatures like us, that you should love us notwithstanding our sins and transgressions, that you should love us despite the hardness of our hearts and the rebellion of our nature.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

That is a nice little text, “Be thankful.” When you are grumbling at your plain food, put this as a sandwich between your bread and butter, “Be thankful.” When you are complaining of the east wind, just try if you cannot spell this little sentence, “Be thankful.” When you are murmuring about those sharp pains and that long sickness, this is the kind of tune for the little bird to whistle at your window, “Be thankful.” We have all much for which we should be thankful, however sad we may think our lot to be. Look on the bright side, rejoice in God: “Be thankful.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
John Piper on God’s Plan for the World — Just $4

John Piper’s book, Let the Nations Be Glad, is on sale on Amazon for just $4. I have no idea how long this deal will last, but I would highly recommend you jump on it while you can.

Let the Nations be Glad is a great book showing God’s heart for the nations throughout Scripture and today. This tool will be an invaluable resource for finding your place in God’s global plan. Reading this book in seminary completely changed the trajectory of my life, and I know that it can change your life as well.

Buy Let the Nations Be Glad on Amazon.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Now, Lord, listen to the voice of your children’s cry this morning. Hear such as seem to themselves to be appointed to death. Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. Oh, that you would grant peace and rest to every troubled spirit; yes, and to all such all over the world, who now desire to turn their faces to the cross, and to see God in Christ Jesus reconciling them to himself.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely? But he gives greater grace.” (James 4:5–6)

There is a spirit, resident in the natural man, the human nature of man, which is always inclined toward hate and envy, always wanting to get something from other men, and always grieved if other men seem to be or to have more than the person himself has. How is this spirit to be met? This verse supplies the answer, “He gives more grace.” “More grace,”—this is the great remedy for hate and envy. “More grace,”—this is the balm for sorrow. “More grace,”—this is our greatest help out of all difficulties. “More grace,”—this is the universal recipe for all that we need: “He gives more grace.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
Celebrate Christmas with Charles Spurgeon

I don’t know if you’re the kind of person who listens to Christmas music before or after Thanksgiving, but it is never to early to reflect on the meaning of Christmas. One of my favorite ways to do that is by reading great voices from church history reflect on the birth of our Lord.

If you want to prepare your heart to celebrate the coming of the Lord at Christmas (and every day!), check out the new book, Spurgeon on Christmas. This book contains 14 classic sermons on the coming of Christ, the birth of the Lord, and the meaning of Christmas. I know it will bless you this Christmas season.

Buy Spurgeon on Christmas on Amazon.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.