Author: Charles Spurgeon

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Let your kingdom come, great God, yes, let it come speedily. It does not trouble us to think that Christ shall come; it is indeed our joy. Make no tarrying, oh our Lord! But, meanwhile make us watchful, earnest, active; and may we be as good servants who are ready for action, and whose lamps are trimmed. May we wait for the Master until he comes.

Now give a blessing this morning: we come back to that prayer of ours—a blessing to each one. Bless me, even me, also, O my Father! The prayer is offered in the name of Jesus Christ the Mediator.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

They are not only passively peaceful, like the meek, who keep the peace; but actively peaceful by endeavouring to end wars and contentions, and so make peace. These not only are the children of the peace-loving God, but they come to be called so; for men are struck by their likeness to their Father. Hereby is our sonship known to ourselves and others. Men of peace are the children of the God of peace, and their Father’s blessing rests on them.

This seventh beatitude is a very high and glorious one; let us all endeavour to obtain it. Never let us be peace-breakers; evermore let us be peacemakers. Yet must we not cry “peace, peace, where there is no peace” (Jeremiah 8:11). The verse before this speaks of purity, and this of peace. First pure, then peaceable: this is God’s order, and it should be ours.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

How to live as a peacemaker

Today’s verse makes clear that God calls his people to be peacemakers, but in an increasingly divided world, it is hard for prideful sinners like us to resolve and avoid conflict.

That’s why The Peacemaker by Ken Sande is such a valuable resource. This book is a comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing conflict in a biblical way.

The Bible has all the wisdom we need to prevent and resolve conflict — in our marriages, in our homes, in our workplaces, in our churches — and The Peacemaker is a great guide to the Bible’s teaching on this important topic.

Buy The Peacemaker on Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Prosper us in the enterprises to which we set our hands. Bless our young men that go forth from us to preach the Word. Blessed is the man that has his quiver full of them.

May there be many such reared up in this church that shall preach Christ crucified. Give to the church more and more the spirit of evangelization; and may many young men in the church, that are now sitting still and quiet, be moved to preach even in the streets, the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

Foul hearts make dim eyes God-ward. To clear the eye we must cleanse the heart. Only purity has any idea of God, or any true vision of him.

It is a great reward to be able to see God; and, on the other hand, it is of great help towards being pure in heart to have a true sight of the thrice-holy One. There are no pure hearts on earth unless the Lord has made them so, and none shall see God in heaven who have not been purified by grace while here below. Lord, create in me a clean heart, that I may behold you, both now and forever!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Be amazed by our great God.

Our view of God is much too small, much too tame. The Bible reveals a ravishing, glorious, fear-inspiring, awesome picture of the God who created all things and sits in the heavens. If you want to better understand God’s glorious infinity, read None Like Him by Jen Wilkin.

In each chapter, Jen unpacks one of God’s incommunicable attributes — the attributes that make God unlike us — and discusses how knowing each of these attributes of God will change our lives. This is biblical, rich, glorious theology.

Buy None Like Him now on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, 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)

Now, with a full heart, we desire to praise you for the continual increase which you make to our church. You have refreshed our soul by the testimonies of many that have lately found the Savior.

Blessed be the Lord, the Holy Spirit, who has not suffered the word to fall to the ground; but who has added to the church daily of such as shall be saved. Lord, continue this great favor. Stir up our dear brethren and sisters to continual prayer for a blessing. May the fire on this altar never go out; but as we have enjoyed, these many years, an unexampled prosperity, oh, that we might continue to enjoy it still, unworthy though we be. Still, Lord, help us in every holy word and work.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

They forgive, and they are forgiven. They judge charitably, and they shall not be condemned. They help the needy, and they shall be helped in their need. What we are to others, God will be to us. Some have to labour hard in order to be kind; but the blessing lies not only in doing a merciful act, but in being merciful in disposition.

Followers of Jesus must be men of mercy; for they have found mercy, and mercy has found them. As we look for “mercy of the Lord in that day”, we must show mercy in this day.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Spurgeon’s answers for your pressing questions

I’ve been blessed and encouraged by the Ask Spurgeon podcast, narrated by Dave Holdt. Each episode of the podcast answers a simple question using passages from Spurgeon’s writing.

Here are a few recent ones: What is the first qualification for serving God? How can a preacher attract people to Christ and grow his church? What does God have to say in this pandemic?

Spurgeon’s wisdom has answers for your questions and the Ask Spurgeon podcast is a great resource!

Find Ask Spurgeon wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, have great mercy upon such as are ignorant of Christ, and therefore sin, but know not what they do. Let them become trophies of your wondrous love. Gather them in; oh, gather them in today.

We do pray for all who are out of the way, for those who remain unsaved. Lord, let them not die in their sins. Have mercy upon some that have had a godly training, but remain ungodly. Oh, condemn them not, we pray, with such a mass of guilt upon them; but save them yet.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

They are not full of their own righteousness, but long for more and more of that which comes from above. They pine to be right themselves both with God and man, and they long to see righteousness have the upper hand all the world over.

Such is their longing for goodness, that it would seem as if both the appetites of “hunger and thirst” were concentrated in their one passion for righteousness. Where God works such an insatiable desire, we may be quite sure that he will satisfy it; yes, fill it to the brim.

In contemplating the righteousness of God, the righteousness of Christ, and the victory of righteousness in the latter days, we are more than filled. In the world to come the satisfaction of the “man of desires” will be complete. Nothing here below can fill an immortal soul; and since it is written, “They shall be filled,” we look forward with joyful confidence to a heaven of holiness with which we shall be satisfied eternally.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Learn the peace of God in the midst of suffering from Spurgeon

Suffering is unavoidable in this life. We will face storms, trials, and pain as we walk through life on this fallen earth. Suffering is unavoidable, so we must be trained to approach it biblically.

Charles Spurgeon had a very clear understanding of how God is at work in our suffering, and he frequently shared that wisdom in his preaching and writing.

I’ve recently put together a book, Spurgeon on Suffering, collecting some of Spurgeon’s best sermons on suffering and trials into one collection. The sermons are unedited and unabridged. I am confident that they will encourage you towards godliness.

Buy Spurgeon on Suffering on Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Editor’s Note: Spurgeon prayed this prayer for the Queen of England before preaching in 1877. Today, in the midst of so much division around the globe, these words are fit to pray for Joe Biden and all world leaders, in obedience to 1 Timothy 2:1–3.

As you have bidden us pray for all men, so we now especially pray for our beloved country. May every blessing rest upon this favored isle. Upon the Queen let your mercies always descend. Keep this land in peace we beseech you; and as for all other lands, may peace yet reign.

May oppression in every place be broken to shivers, and may truth and righteousness win the day. Break in pieces the power of Antichrist, we pray Thee, and of the false prophet; and let the idols fall from their thrones, and may the Lord God Omnipotent yet reign, even Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords. We ask it all in His name.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

They are lowly-minded, and are ready to give up their portion in the earth; therefore it shall come back to them. They neither boast, nor contend, nor exult over others, yet are they heirs of all the good which God has created on the face of the earth.

In their meekness they are like their King, and they shall reign with him. The promised land is for the tribes of the meek: before them the Canaanites shall be driven out. He has the best of this world who thinks least of it, and least of himself.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

New Book: Spurgeon on Suffering: Reflections on God’s Grace and Our Pain

Yesterday I shared the exciting news that I’ve put together another book of Spurgeon sermons — Spurgeon on Suffering, a collection of 12 classic sermons on trials, tribulation, sorrow, and suffering.

I’ve learned so much about suffering from Spurgeon. In the midst of his own suffering he found great hope in the risen Lord Jesus. Reading his reflections on suffering will encourage you to also find hope in Christ alone.

Buy Spurgeon on Suffering on Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Are your dear children poor, or are they sick in body, or are they losing those they love, or is there yet a newly dug grave over which they could shed floods of tears?

Oh, sweet love of God, comfort them. Cover all the rocks, O mighty tide of everlasting love, till not a rock is seen; and on that glassy sea may our spirits float above the rocks, which else had wrecked our lives. We do pray, give us comfort, but also give us strength as well as consolation.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

The way to rise in the kingdom is to sink in ourselves. These men are grieved by sin, and tried by the evils of the times; but for them a future of rest and rejoicing is provided. Those who laugh shall lament, but those who sorrow shall sing.

How great a blessing is sorrow, since it gives room for the Lord to administer comfort! Our griefs are blessed, for they are our points of contact with the divine Comforter. The beatitude reads like a paradox, but it is true, as some of us know full well. Our mourning hours have brought us more comfort than our days of mirth.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Christ-centered hope for sin-stained sufferers

Many people don’t realize that Charles Spurgeon lived a life of great suffering. He was plagued with depression and illness throughout his life and eventually died very young. Yet, throughout his suffering, he found a deep, unshakeable hope in Christ.

Over the years, I have learned a lot from Spurgeon about trusting God in the midst of suffering. I want to share his wisdom with you as well, which is why I’ve created Spurgeon on Suffering, a collection of 12 classic sermons from Spurgeon on trials, pain, and sorrow to help you find hope in Christ.

Buy Spurgeon on Suffering on Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Now we do, with all our hearts, pray for you to gather in the rest of your family who, as yet, are far off from you. O mighty grace, seek out the prodigal! O mighty love, receive the prodigals when they come back! O mighty grace, change their hearts and make them to love the great Father.

We do pray for all who are out of the way, for those who remain unsaved. Lord, let them not die in their sins. Have mercy upon some that have had a godly training, but remain ungodly. Oh, condemn them not, we pray, with such a mass of guilt upon them; but save them yet.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

Editor’s note: we’re starting a new series through the Beatitudes in this section today.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3)

Spiritual poverty is both commanded and commended. It is the basis of Christian experience. No one begins aright who has not felt poverty of spirit. Yet even to this first sign of grace is the kingdom given in present possession.

The question in heaven’s kingdom is not, “Are you a peer?” but, “Are you poor in spirit?” Those who are of no account in their own eyes are of the blood royal of the universe. These alone have the principles and the qualifications for a heavenly kingdom. May I be such!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Worshipping God the Holy Spirit

God the Holy Spirit is absolutely crucial to our lives as Christians. We cannot trust God without the Spirit, we cannot remain in the faith without the Spirit, we cannot grow in holiness without the Spirit.

Yet despite his importance, God the Holy Spirit is often neglected (or grossly misunderstood!) by Christians.

I was so blessed to read The Holy Spirit — a new book by Gregg Allison and Andreas J. Köstenberger. This book covers all of the Bible’s teaching on the Holy Spirit from the perspective of biblical theology (what does the whole Bible teach about the Spirit?) and systematic theology (how do those teachings fit together?).

This new book is a valuable resource to have in your library. It will be a faithful source to reference whenever you have questions about the Holy Spirit.

Buy The Holy Spirit on Amazon in hardback or Kindle editions.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Let your song be with us at this moment. Up from the shades may we ascend into the eternal light. Oh, that the sun of your love might shine full on our brows, until our faces shall be bright like the face of Moses!

Oh, that we might have such fellowship with God this morning, that we might defy Satan, defy unbelief, defy the flesh, defy the world, with a holy joy which comes not of the creature, and which the creature cannot mar—a “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8), a deep drink out of the eternal fountains, which well up from the deep which lies under, in the immutable and everlasting love and decree of God. Oh, let it be so with every child of Thine at this good hour.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8)

Why does the apostle say that we rejoice with joy inexpressible? Is it not, first, because this joy is too great to be told? He is indeed rich who cannot count his wealth; he has so much that he does not know how much he has. He is indeed full of joy who has so much joy that he cannot tell anyone how much he has.

You cannot explain to a person who has never tasted honey how sweet it is. Neither can you explain to a man who does not know the joy of the Lord how joyous a thing it is. He could not comprehend what your words meant; you would be talking to him in an altogether unknown tongue.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

The God of hope hears our hopeful prayers

Yesterday I recommended A Praying Life by Paul Miller. Today’s prayer reminded me of one section of the book that was particularly helpful to me. Here’s a brief excerpt:

“Hope begins with the heart of God. As you grasp what the Father’s heart is like, how he loves to give, then prayer will begin to feel completely natural to you.

Many of us believe in the Christian hope of ultimate redemption, but we breathe the cynical spirit of our age and miss the heart of God. This was brought home to me when I discovered from a widow that her husband’s philosophy of life went like this: ‘Expect nothing. Then if something good happens, be thankful.’ He had been a dear friend and godly counselor to me, but I was so surprised that I blurted out to his wife a confused mix of Romans 15:13 and Hebrews 13:20 —’Sue, that sounds so different from “May the God of hope, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”‘ Paul and the writer of Hebrews were bursting with the goodness of God. It spilled out of their hearts.

When you pray, you are touching the hopeful heart of God. When you know that, prayer becomes an adventure.”

I hope A Praying Life will help you deepen your prayer life in 2021.

Buy A Praying Life on Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions.
(You could also get the audiobook for free with an Audible free trial!)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Dear Savior, you know the peculiar trials and conditions of all your people; and, we do pray, now deal with each child of yours according to his special need. Great Physician, walk this hospital. Come and look on each special case; and may there be a masterpiece of your heavenly surgery in the case of each one of us.

Many of us need comfort; our heart is cast down within us. There are many of your saints, in whose soul deep calls unto deep at the noise of your waterspouts (Psalm 42:7). Command your loving-kindness this morning, and let your song be with us at this moment.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your billows have swept over me.” (Psalm 42:7)

David thought that every trouble in the world had met in him, but he exaggerated, for all the breaking waves of the Lord have passed over none but the Lord Jesus; there are griefs to which he makes his children strangers for his love’s sake. Sorrow naturally states its case forcibly; the mercy is that the Lord after all has not dealt with us according to our fears.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A book to inspire you to grow in prayer this year

To be honest, consistency in prayer has always been a challenge for me. It’s easy for the demands of this life to keep me from my most important work — communicating with the Lord in prayer. But I’ve been so refreshed recently to read A Praying Life by Paul Miller.

A Praying Life is a great, encouraging book on Christian prayer. Reading this book has cultivated Scripture-saturated prayers of childlike faith in my life. Miller describes prayer in a way that is thoroughly biblical and incredible desirable.

I hope A Praying Life will help you deepen your prayer life in 2021.

Buy A Praying Life on Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions.
(You could also get the audiobook for free with an Audible free trial!)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, will you deal with us according to your wisdom and prudence. Take out of us every evil and false way. Remove any wain which we have deceived ourselves. Anything which looks like growth in grace, which is mere puffing up, take away; anything which we prize, which is but counterfeit, utterly destroy.

Oh, bring us of your great love to know Christ in truth, that what we know we may know, and not think we know. And oh, that there might be a deep reality about our Christian experience, and knowledge; that the truth of God may be incarnate in the truth which lives in us.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:2)

Grace comes first, and then peace follows. Peace without grace is a very dangerous possession; but a peace that grows out of the possession of grace is a gracious peace, and will lead to the peace of glory before long.

This grace and peace are to come “from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” There is no grace for us apart from the Lord Jesus Christ; and though the Father is full of love, and will give grace and peace to his people, yet the Lord Jesus Christ must always be the channel through which these incomparable favours must flow to them.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A Sermon: God’s Good, Glorious, Gracious Plan for the World

Last month, I was able to preach at my church on Isaiah 42, which presents the Lord Jesus Christ as the good and glorious king of the world.

I wanted to share the sermon with you, in hopes that it would encourage you to think more globally and biblically this year.

You can listen here.