Category: Pray with Spurgeon

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Editor’s Note: In today’s prayer, Spurgeon prayed for three of the ministries he led and supported. What ministries and activities are taking place in your local church that you can you pray for today?

Bless the dear orphan children, let them all be yours. Help us in the building of new houses for orphan girls, and provide for our necessities in that matter.

Bless the dear sons of this church, trained at our own side, who go forth to preach the gospel: whether they be in the College, or whether they are preaching outside of it, let the blessing of the Lord be with every one of them.

And all those who go from house to house with books, seeking to speak a word in season to the neglected;  help them, and make this church still to be the fruitful mother of children. Yes, make every one of us useful to your glory.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

This life begins here, for this earth is but the lower part of God’s house; and when the time shall come for us to leave this earth, we, who are the Lord’s own children, shall only go upstairs to the higher rooms, to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

This, then, is the portion of the children of God; but there are some to whom David’s language will seem strange. They cannot sing this sweet Psalm, for their life is as restless as the waves of the sea. No quiet pastoral poem could set forth their joy, for the sound of war is heard in the streets of their city of Mansoul. If any such souls are seeking rest and peace, let them hearken to the voice of God

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*

New Year Resource Round-Up

I wanted to remind you of all the New Year resources I’ve recommended over the past few weeks:

Daily Devotionals by Spurgeon:

• Morning and Evening
• Chequebook of the Bank of Faith

Daily Prayer Guide for the Nations:

• Pray for the World

A Great Book to Help you Grow by God’s Grace in 2021:

• The Discipline of Grace

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Now, Lord Jesus, we have a thousand things to ask of you, and of your Father; but you know what we have need of before we ask (Matthew 6:8). Give to each one of your own, that special gift most needed: we may not even know what it is, but according to your own wisdom and prudence, deal out of your treasury things new and old, for the enrichment and comfort of your people.

Bless our beloved church: keep them still in unity and earnestness of heart. In all fresh advances that we hope to make, be with us and help us.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me  all the days of my life…” (Psalm 23:6)

Not merely now and then, but all my days — my dark days as well as my bright ones — these heavenly messengers will never forsake me.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*

Expand Your Prayer List in 2021

I get emails every day from readers of this newsletter, saying that their top struggle for prayer is not knowing what to pray for. I want to recommend a resource that will help you pray for God’s glory throughout the whole earth in 2021.

Pray for the World is a great resource for understanding and praying for the cause of Christ throughout the world. The book features a short profile of every nation and how you can pray for missionaries or Christians in that country.

The book also includes a plan for praying through the entire world in a calendar year. Praying for God’s glory to spread throughout the whole earth is a great way to spend 2021.

Buy Pray for the World on Amazon.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, make us useful to your own children who have backslidden. May we be as Peter was, to whom you said, “when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). O Lord, make us useful among backsliders—this very day may some of us be enabled to work somewhat toward the fetching up of the rear guard, of those that loiter and linger, that the whole army of Christ may quicken its pace and march to victory.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

There are no ifs, no doubts, no fears about the matter: “Surely.” These two holy angels shall watch over my footsteps, and track me wherever I go;—“goodness” to preserve me, and “mercy” to pardon me!—“goodness” to supply my needs, and “mercy” to blot out my sins.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*

A 2021 Bible Reading Plan for Your Kids

Are you planning to read the Bible in 2021? Bring your children along for the journey with David Murray’s Exploring the Bible, a daily Bible reading plan workbook for ages 6–12.

Help your kids grasp the glorious big story of the Bible. Exploring the Bible is a great resource to make reading through the Bible a more accessible journey for kids. The workbook also has space for sermon notes and encourages prayer, Bible memory.

Buy Exploring the Bible on Amazon.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Lord, help us to speak a word in season to him that is sad of heart.When your arrows stick fast in the conscience, may we know how to apply the balm of Jesus’ wounds.

Make us ready to tell out the sweet gospel which has been so precious to our own souls; and as men that have newly come ourselves from the presence of a pardoning Savior—men but newly washed in that dear blood which makes us white as snow, may we go and tell to our fellow men, all black as they are, how they also can be made whiter than snow

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5)

He receives a fresh anointing for new service, even the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

I have all I want, and even more than I need, so that others, not so favored as I am, may come and catch some of the droppings from my overflowing cup. It is so full, O Lord, that it cannot hold all that you give me! Till you enlarge my capacity, I shall still have to say, “My cup runneth over.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
Another Classic Daily Devotional from Spurgeon

Yesterday I recommended Spurgeon’s classic devotional, The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith, which contains 365 readings, one for each day of the year.

Another much-loved daily devotional by Spurgeon is Morning and Evening, which contains two readings for each day, so that you can start and end every day of the new year in God’s Word.

Morning and Evening is a masterpiece. It will encourage and guide you throughout the year.

Buy Morning and Evening on Amazon (Hardback updated edition by Allistair Begg, leatherbound edition, or imitation leather edition).

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Now we are asking you to let your love be revealed to us, in all its sweet influences; and we ask also that our love to you may be fervent, we pray that you make us useful to our brothers and sisters. O Lord, we would not live unto ourselves; make us serviceable in gathering in the lost sheep. Make us wise that we may go after them in their devious wanderings, and discover them.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5)

How calmly the psalmist writes! He realizes that he has enemies, yet he means to sit down to a feast; he is not going to snatch a hurried mouthful or two, but “a table” is “prepared” for him as though for a banquet. His enemies may look on while he is feasting, but they cannot take away his enjoyment of the feast.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
Spend the New Year with Spurgeon, trusting God’s promises

Spurgeon frequently said that God’s promises are like checks. And because God is never lacking in resources, his account is always full and his checks never bounce.

Spurgeon’s classic devotional, The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith, contains 365 readings (one for each day of the year) to help you trust and treasure God’s promises.

Reading through The Cheque Book in 2021 will definitely encourage you.

Buy The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith on Amazon (journal edition or leather bound edition).

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Most glorious Lord God, it is marvelous in our eyes that God should become incarnate, that your Son should take our flesh upon himself. It surprises us greatly that the Lord of Life should condescend to die, and that the incorruptible One should be laid in the grave. We are full of loving gratitude, we are also full of adoring wonder.

When we have stood at the sepulcher and looked into it, and thought of Jesus having lain there, when we have seen it open and knew that it was empty, we bless your name that even he died and was buried, and magnify you that his is risen again from the dead.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

To see your scepter, and even to feel your chastising rod; to know that you are a King, and that you rule over Israel; to know that, as a Shepherd, you carry a crook to guide your flock; shall be enough to comfort my heart, and to sustain my spirit.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
The best way to end 2020?

Next week, I’m excited to watch the CROSS20 livestream. In this two-day event, David Platt, John Piper, Kevin DeYoung, and others will preach through the Lord’s Prayer. We’ll also consider God’s plan for the world and our role in it.

This is a great opportunity to hear God’s Word and pursue God’s glory as 2020 draws to a close. Consider gathering a small group of friends to watch the livestream with you.

CROSS is designed for 18–25-year-olds, but anyone can join the livestream this year (and anyone will benefit!)

Learn more about the CROSS20 livestream.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Oh that our spirit might be always subject to the Divine Spirit: may its earthiness and feebleness, only reveal the heavenliness and the strength of the indwelling Spirit of God. And oh, grant us to feel that we have power to overcome sin; that we have power to resist the lusts of the flesh, and to despise the pomp of the world, and the lust of the eyes (1 John 2:16).

Though we groan within ourselves concerning the body of this death (2 Corinthians 5:2), yet sing we also “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57)! Help your children to take the victory, to rejoice that they do conquer; yes that we are more than conquerors, through him who has loved us (Romans 8:37).

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4)

The presence of Christ is all that his people can ever want. The all-powerful, ever-faithful, infinitely-compassionate One being with us, what cause for fear can possibly remain?

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
How God’s grace helps us grow

Yesterday, I recommended The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges. I wanted to share it again today because I think it’s such an important book.

If you want to grow in godliness in 2021, this book will be an invaluable tool. Learn how God’s grace empowers you for the pursuit of holiness. As we prayed today, “we have power to overcome sin.”

I read this book for the first time in 2014. It absolutely changed my life to know that God calls his people to be holy like he is holy, but also to know that he supplies the strength to pursue holiness.

Buy The Discipline of Grace on Amazon in paperback or Kindle formats.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Lord, we are very weak, and in ourselves we have no desire to be otherwise, because when we are weak, then are we strong (2 Corinthians 12:9); but we are very strong in you, and we do wish to have faith to perceive this.

Lord, some of you children think that you are weak because they are; and suppose that grace will fail them because the flesh does: but oh, teach them better, and may they know that it is just in the death of the creature, that they shall find the life of God revealed.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…” (Psalm 23:2–3)

Not only shall there be no evil, but I will fear none. A sense of the Lord’s presence lifts a Christian above even fear. You know how often it is true that we “feel a thousand deaths in fearing one.” But if we have a sense of our Savior’s presence, when we do really walk through the valley of death-shade, not a trace of fear shall come across our peaceful souls.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
God’s grace, growth, and New Year’s resolutions

Did you know that God’s grace doesn’t just save you, it also gives you the power that you need to slay sin? As we celebrate Christmas this week, we’re celebrating that, “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [AND] instructing us to deny godlessness…” (Titus 2:11–12).

Don’t just make New Year’s resolutions this year — be equipped with God’s strength to actually grow.

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!

Buy The Discipline of Grace on Amazon in paperback or Kindle formats.

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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)
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)
“He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:2–3)

Not because of any goodness in me, but because of the goodness that is in him, and for the glory of his holy name, “he leads me in the paths of righteousness.”

Also, “He restores my soul.” When I wander, he restores my soul to the right road. When I become empty, he stores my soul again with good things; he restores my soul.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
A new way to experience Spurgeon’s most-loved book

There is a new audiobook edition of Spurgeon’s classic, All of Grace. This book is a beautiful, refreshing explanation of what it means to be saved and forgiven by God’s grace.

This audiobook will encourage you. It’s the full, unedited text of All of Grace, coupled with a new introduction and instrumental interludes to help you reflect on this glorious good news.

This book will help you grow in grace and a portion of every sale is given to a pro-life pregnancy resource center in South Africa, so buying All of Grace is definitely money well spent.

Listen to a free sample of All of Grace on Audible.

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*Sponsored advertising content.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

What after all can there be to trouble the man whom God loves? Shall we not find even in your rod a sweetness, as Jonathan did, when he dipped his rod in the honey? Have you not said, “as many as I love I rebuke and chasten,” shall we not, therefore, take your rebukes and chastenings, and even rejoice in them, because therein the love of God is manifested toward us.

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.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:2–3)

What a peerless Guide he is, since infallible wisdom is his! And how gracious and condescending it is, on his part, to go first in the way which he means us to take! David does not say, “He drives me;” but “He leads me.”

In each path, he is my Exemplar in every virtue, for he himself has endured all temptations that are incident to my life’s pathway; and, all the way, ‘he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE*
Fill your ears with Christ-centered audio, fill your heart with God’s grace.

This week I’ve been highlighting a new audiobook edition of Spurgeon’s classic book, All of Grace. Seriously, if you haven’t read this book, you have no idea what you’re missing.

Listening to solid Christian audio is a great way to redeem the time spent on menial tasks (like doing dishes, commuting, or anything else).

I hope you’ll check out the All of Grace audiobook. I know that it will encourage your faith and help you grow in grace.

Listen to a free sample of All of Grace on Audible.

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*Sponsored advertising content.