Author: Charles Spurgeon

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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)

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD…” (Psalm 92:1)

It is good ethically, for it is the Lord’s right; it is good emotionally, for it is pleasant to the heart; it is good practically, for it leads others to render the same homage. When duty and pleasure combine, who will be backward? To give thanks to God is but a small return for the great benefits which he daily gives us; yet as he by his Spirit calls it a good thing, we must not despise it, or neglect it. We thank men when they oblige us, how much more ought we to bless the Lord when he benefits us. Devout praise is always good, it is never out of season, never superfluous.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Know how you were forgiven — be freed from pride and despair.

Today we thanked God for the forgiveness of our sins — we are no longer guilty, but forgiven! Justified! Redeemed!

Remembering this truth — that we are forgiven of our sins, washed in the blood of Christ — should always fill us with gratitude (at Thanksgiving and all year round). We can know that we are forgiven forever, because it was purchased by Christ himself.

A great book to help you dive deeper into this topic of our forgiveness is Justification by Grace through Faith: Finding Freedom from Legalism, Lawlessness, Pride, and Despair by Brian Vickers. This book walks through the Bible’s teaching on justification and forgiveness in a way that is thoroughly biblical and intensely practical.

I hope you’ll grab a copy — I know it will bless and encourage you to give thanks to the Lord.

Buy Justification by Grace through Faith:

• Amazon
• ChristianBook.com

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Bless, Lord, my church, and let nothing spring up in this church that would grieve your Holy Spirit. We know that there are some among us that walk not after your commandments, some that grow cold, some that are negligent in prayer, some that add nothing to the strength of your service. But Lord, is it not so with all the churches?

Oh, will you not still continue to look upon the faithful, and to make them yet more faithful; and to look upon the wandering, and the backsliding, and to restore them, lest they be an occasion of grief unto your Israel, as Achan was who had hidden away the Babylonish garment, and the wedge of gold in his tent.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“… making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

The text bids us endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit, but it does not tell us to endeavor to maintain the unity of evil, the unity of superstition, or the unity of spiritual tyranny! The unity of evil we are to break down by every weapon our hands can grasp. The unity of the Spirit we are to maintain and foster is another thing. We dare not commit the sin of quenching the Holy Spirit even though it were with the view of promoting unity!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Study (the entire Bible) with Spurgeon*

Good study Bibles have been an incredible blessing to me throughout my Christian life. They are incredible tools for understanding and applying the Bible.

One of my favorite study Bibles is The Spurgeon Study Bible. This is a great tool for deepening your understanding of Scripture.

Two great features: there are hundreds of study notes taken from Spurgeon’s sermons throughout the Bible, and there are short introductions by Spurgeon on every book of the Bible. This is a great way to get a broad overview or detailed reflection, right from Spurgeon, on any section of Scripture.

The Spurgeon Study Bible is a great resource for Scripture study. And now through December 15, you can grab the Spurgeon Study Bible and other Bibles for up to 80% off at Lifeway.com/Bibles.

AND if you use code BIBLEGIFT21, you can save an extra $10 on any purchase over $40.

This is a great time to grab the Spurgeon Study Bible for yourself OR as a Christmas gift for a Spurgeon fan in your family or church.

Just use promo code BIBLEGIFT21 when you check out on Lifeway.com.

Grab Bibles like the Spurgeon Study Bible for up to 80% off at Lifeway.com/Bibles.

(Use promo code BIBLEGIFT21 for an extra $10 off any purchase over $40.)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Oh we desire perfection. We know what it is to make a conscience of our every thought. We have looked upon every act of our lives, and desired that in all things we might be conformed to your will; and you know this makes us walk very tenderly at times, and with much brokenness of spirit before you, because the more we look into our lives, the more we see to lament; and in proportion as you do make us holy, in that very proportion do we spy out our unholiness, and find nests of sin where we never dreamt that the loathsome things had been.

Father, cleanse us from secret faults. Purge us! You have purged us with hyssop once, and we are clean; now wash us with water, even as you, blessed Jesus, did wash your disciples’ feet, and make us clean everywhere, that we may be your priests and kings, sanctified wholly; and make us a people zealous of good works.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7)

Sprinkle the atoning blood upon me with the appointed means. Give me the reality which legal ceremonies symbolise. Nothing but blood can take away my blood-stains, nothing but the strongest purification can avail to cleanse me. Let the sin-offering purge my sin. Let him who was appointed to atone, execute his sacred office on me; for none can need it more than I. Foul as I am, there is such power in the divine propitiation, that my sin shall vanish quite away.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

How God’s grace helps you grow

Today we prayed that God would help us grow in holiness and set us free from sin. We ask God to help us grow in holiness, because we know that God’s grace doesn’t just save us from sin, it also gives us the power that we need to slay sin. The work of growing in godliness is a work of cooperation between us and God’s grace.

One of my all-time favorite books is The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges. This book explains how God’s grace empowers Christians to slay sin and grow in godliness. It is one of the helpful, practical, and encouraging books that I have ever read! If you want to grow in godliness, start with The Discipline of Grace.

Reading The Discipline of Grace will definitely help you grow in holiness. I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy The Discipline of Grace:

• Amazon (Paperback or Kindle editions)
• ChristianBook.com (Paperback or ebook editions)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, many of us have been forgiven, years ago. We have walked with you now, with holy joy and confidence, some of us for a quarter of a century, and others for more; yet Lord there may be something between us and you even now, and if there be, “Let me know why you prosecute me” (Job 10:2).

If you see in your servants any wrong thing encouraged, any evil desire cherished; if there is anything that we delight in that you do not delight in; if we have any habit which grieves you; if in anything we vex Thy Holy Spirit—our Father, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; and then point out to us the trespass, and teach our feet to keep the ways of your commandments, and to trespass no more; for our heart is right towards your statutes and we desire holiness.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“I will say to God, ‘Do not declare me guilty! Let me know why you prosecute me.’” (Job 10:2)

It may be the Lord contends with you because you have some secret sin which is doing you sore damage. Put it away, lest God smite you still more sorely, and vex you in his hot displeasure. Trials often discover sins—sins we should never have found out if it had not been for them.

We know that the houses in Russia are very greatly infested with rats and mice. Perhaps a stranger would scarcely notice them at first, but the time when you discover them is when the house is on fire; then they pour out in multitudes. And so does God sometimes burn up our comforts to make our hidden sins run out; and then he enables us to knock them on the head and get rid of them. That may be the reason of your trial, to put an end to some long-fostered sin.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teach the Bible to your children (every day)

Today we prayed that God would reveal your hidden sins. One of the most frequent hidden sins that I see is a failure to regularly, consistently point our children to Christ.

Parents, making disciples in our homes is not always easy, but it’s always SO REWARDING!

Teaching our children the Bible is so important that I’ve created a new resource to help you along the way — to partner with you as you train your children to know and treasure God.

It’s called GodCenteredFamily.org — a daily interactive Bible reading plan for parents and kids of any age.

Exposing your children to the truth of God’s Word EVERY DAY will radically change their lives — because God’s Word NEVER returns void.

Subscribers to GodCenteredFamily.org receive a weekly download with everything you need for daily, faithful family Bible time.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Daily Scripture readings with age-appropriate application questions
• Prayer guides to help you pray in response to the reading
• Suggested songs to sing in response to the reading
• Introductions to each book of the Bible
• Interactive listening guides for each book of the Bible
• Hands-on activities and object lessons
• Bonus Bible studies, resources, and books

Learn more and download a free sample right here.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Oh Lord, our chief desire this morning before you is to be right with you. Oh make us right with you, great Father. There are some in your presence who are not right with you at all; your face they cannot behold, and you cannot accept their offering; for it is true of them, as of Cain, “sin is crouching at the door” (Genesis 4:7).

Oh God roll every sin away; but we know they must first feel the burden of it, they must come to you and confess it, they must accept the great Substitute and rest in Jesus. And our prayer shall be, Father, if our sin be not forgiven, we would put our head into your bosom and sob out, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and am no more worthy to be called your son.” Grant the kiss of forgiveness to each of your children this morning, and may we feel that you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9); and in the joy of this, may we feel peace with you.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (1 John 1:7)

It is God’s fashion to say, “Turn, turn, why will you die, O house of Israel?” for he does not will the death of any, but that they should turn unto him and live. He is greatly patient and waits to be gracious. God gives none up until they fatally resolve to give themselves up, and even then his good Spirit strives with them as long as it is possible to do so, consistently with his holiness.

Often to the very gates of death, and up to the very edge of the bottomless pit, his pity follows obstinate sinners, crying still, “Turn! Turn! Turn! Why will you die?” Yes, the angry sinner—the Cain-ite sinner—the sinner whose face betrays the anger of his soul, whose heart is hot with enmity against God and against his Christ, even he is not left to die without divine pleadings which may show him his fault and folly.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Study (the entire Bible) with Spurgeon*

Good study Bibles have been an incredible blessing to me throughout my Christian life. They are incredible tools for understanding and applying the Bible.

One of my favorite study Bibles is The Spurgeon Study Bible. This is a great tool for deepening your understanding of Scripture.

Two great features: there are hundreds of study notes taken from Spurgeon’s sermons throughout the Bible, and there are short introductions by Spurgeon on every book of the Bible. This is a great way to get a broad overview or detailed reflection, right from Spurgeon, on any section of Scripture.

The Spurgeon Study Bible is a great resource for Scripture study. And now through December 15, you can grab the Spurgeon Study Bible and other Bibles for up to 80% off at Lifeway.com/Bibles.

AND if you use code BIBLEGIFT21, you can save $10 on any purchase over $40.

This is a great time to grab the Spurgeon Study Bible for yourself OR as a Christmas gift for a Spurgeon fan in your family or church.

Just use promo code BIBLEGIFT21 when you check out on Lifeway.com.

Grab Bibles like the Spurgeon Study Bible for up to 80% off at Lifeway.com/Bibles.

(Use promo code BIBLEGIFT21 for an extra $10 off any purchase over $40.)

*Sponsored advertising content

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Grant us grace that we may not bless your name merely because you feed us, and clothe us, and because we receive so many mercies at your hand; but may we learn to praise you even when you put us under the rod, and when the heart is heavy, and when mercies seem but scant. Oh, that when the flocks are cut off from the stall, and there is no harvest, we may nevertheless rejoice in God.

Oh Lord, teach us this very morning the art of praise. Let our soul take fire, and like a censer full of frankincense, may our whole nature send forth a delicious perfume of praiseful gratitude unto the ever blessed One, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

Some of the rarest pearls have been found in the deepest waters, and some of the choicest utterances of believers have come when God’s waves and billows have been made to roll over them. The fire consumes nothing but the dross and leaves the gold all the purer. In Job’s case, with regard to his position before God, he had lost nothing by all his losses, for what could be purer and brighter gold than this that gleams before us from this text, revealing his triumphant patience, his complete resignation, and his cheerful acquiescence in the divine will? Job looked on everything he possessed as the gift of God.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Spurgeon’s hope for depressed people

Today we prayed and read in Scripture about praising God, even through our trials. This can sound like a difficult prospect for many of us, who are often stuck in a fog depression that keeps us from seeing God’s goodness. But Spurgeon himself can offer us a lot of counsel in that area.

Many people don’t realize that Spurgeon was plagued with crippling depression throughout his life and ministry. Throughout this struggle, Spurgeon cultivated a deep, Christ-centered hope that allowed him to continue to live and minister. We all have something to learn from Spurgeon.

You can learn more about Spurgeon’s struggle with depression — and the hope that kept him through it —in 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 who is struggling.

Buy Spurgeon’s Sorrows:

• Amazon (Paperback or Kindle editions)
• ChristianBook.com (Paperback or ebook edition)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our Father, blessed be your name forever and ever. Oh that we praised you more! We must confess we never bless you as we ought, and our life is far too full of complaining, or at the best too full of self-seeking, for even in prayer we may do this; and there is too little of lauding, and adoring, and praising, and magnifying, and singing the high praises of the Lord.

Oh God, will you teach us to begin the music of heaven! Grant us grace to have many rehearsals of the eternal Hallelujah: “My soul, bless the LORD, and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Psalm 103:1)

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“My soul, bless the LORD, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” (Psalm 103:1)

Our very life and essential self should be engrossed with this delightful service, and each one of us should arouse his own heart to the engagement. Let others forbear if they can: “Bless the Lord, O my soul.” Let others complain, but you will bless. Let others bless themselves and their idols, but you bless the Lord. Let others use only their tongues, but as for me I will cry, “Bless the Lord, O my soul.”

Half-hearted, ill-conceived, unintelligent praises are not such as we should render to our loving Lord. If the law of justice demanded all our heart and soul and mind for the Creator, much more may the law of gratitude put in a comprehensive claim for the homage of our whole being to the God of grace.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Say no to complaining (and other “acceptable” sins)

Today we prayed, repenting of our complaining. According to Scripture, complaining is a heinous sin, but it often goes on unchecked in our churches and in our lives. That’s not okay — when we persist in complaining, we’re persisting in unrepentant sin.

Complaining isn’t the only sin that we often give a pass to. There are many sins that we allow, because they aren’t as obvious as others. I love the book Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges. This book will unveil some of these “acceptable” sins in your own life and guide you on a path, fueled by God’s grace, to slay them.

In addition to unthankfulness, the book touches on pride, anger, anxiety, and more. In short, no one has room to hide while reading Respectable Sins.

This book will help you see your sin with biblical clarity and fight your sin with God-fueled strength. I hope you’ll grab a copy and so no to complaining today.

Buy Respectable Sins:

• Amazon (Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle or audiobook editions)
• ChristianBook.com (Paperback, ebook, or audiobook editions)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We especially pray for our country that God would bless it; and oh, that we might have a season of revival of pure and undefiled religion in the land. We perceive that you can turn the hearts of the people, as the trees of the wood are moved in the wind.

Oh that there might come a deep searching of heart, great thoughtfulness of the Scriptures, reverence of God and the principles of justice and peace: and may this land make another stride in onward progress, and out of it may there be gathered a people whom you have chosen, who shall show forth your praise.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“… he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)

When Aaron went in with the blood of bulls and goats, he had only obtained a symbolic and temporary purification for the people. But we do not fear death since our Lord has obtained eternal redemption. “Eternal punishment” is a word of unspeakable terror. But it is met and fully covered by “eternal redemption.” We need not be afraid if we put out trust in the Lord Jesus as our sacrifice and priest. Nothing in the mystery of eternity need frighten us. How shall we be lost for whom an eternal ransom has been paid?

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

You need a dictionary (Seriously, you need a dictionary)

Definitions are important. When reading a book or listening to teaching, we can’t learn or apply anything if we don’t know the words an author or speaker is using.

The Baker Compact Dictionary of Theological Terms by Gregg Allison is an invaluable resource for theological studies, offering clear definitions for the most important words for understanding the Bible and theology. This is an incredible resource for looking up new words that you don’t know and for getting a quick refresher on various theological positions.

Buy The Baker Compact Dictionary of Theological Terms:

• Amazon (Paperback or Kindle edition)
• ChristianBook.com (Paperback or ebook edition)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

“When he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment.” (John 16:8)

O Spirit of God, lay this home; and convince sinners of righteousness. Let them see where righteousness is to be had, even in Christ! Let them know that righteousness is demanded of them; and, if they have it not from Christ, they will never have it, and they must perish in their sins.

And oh, Divine Spirit, set before them judgment to come. Let them tremble at the thought that you will come, that the great trial of judgment shall be held, and rebels against God and his Christ must be punished, with eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.

Thus bring the sinner to his knees; thus bring the conscience to tenderness; and then, sweet Spirit, reveal Jesus Christ to the troubled heart, and let there be the peace of God through faith. We have many things to pray for this morning, but, Lord, you know them all.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden.” (1 John 5:3)

Anything that makes us think that God’s will is burdensome is of the spirit of the world against which we have to fight. If, for instance, we are tempted to think that the restrictions of God’s law—his commandments and precepts—are too stringent, it is the spirit of the world that tempts us to think so, for “his commandments are not a burden” to those who truly love him. It is only to the rebellious world that the restrictions of God appear to be too stringent, or that the commands of Christ become burdensome.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A devotional to reflect on our great salvation.

Today we prayed for sinners to repent, acknowledging that our only hope is to know Christ and his righteousness. This is what Jesus came to do — to save a people for himself. It is important for Christians to think like this about why Christ died and why he rose again. Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die by John Piper is an excellent devotional for considering the cost and the reward of the cross.

The book offers fifty short devotionals, each explaining a different reason Jesus came to die. Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die is a great devotional to focus your heart on Christ and his cross.

This book will definitely “reveal Jesus Christ to the troubled heart,” showing you the depth of your sin and the wonder of God’s love. I know it will encourage you — I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die:

• Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, or Audiobook Editions)
• ChristianBook.com (Paperback, Ebook, or Audiobook editions)