Category: Pray with Spurgeon

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our hearts go out to those who disregard Divine matters. May you make an impression upon them! Let your truth reach their conscience like a stray arrow. May thoughts of death and eternity crash over their souls like mighty waves, impossible to resist. Illuminate their conscience with the light of heaven. Make them question their position and future. Lead them to turn to you with hearts resolved.

Others falter between two choices, halting between faith and doubt. Some we hold dear in the flesh have not yet chosen God. Their fate teeters on the brink. We cast your cross before them, Jesus, and ask that you tip the scales. Let irresistible love surge forth and conquer hearts that have resisted even the mightiest assaults of the law. May those who remained untouched by the furnace of Sinai be melted by the beams of love from the tearful eyes of Jesus!

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.” (Psalm 51:18–19)

In those days of joyful prosperity, your saints will offer rich and holy thank offerings in great abundance, and you will be pleased to accept them. A saved soul expects its prayers to be answered with a revived church, and then we are assured that God will be greatly glorified.

Though we no longer offer sacrifices for sin, our solemn praises and gifts are acceptable thank offerings to God through Jesus Christ. We may not offer the smallest things; rather, we present our best possessions—our bulls. We are glad that at this present time, we can fulfill the declaration of this verse. We also anticipate days of divine presence when the church of God, with unspeakable joy, will present gifts upon the altar of God, surpassing anything witnessed in these less enthusiastic times. Lord, hasten this day.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God’s Grace for Parents of Children Identifying as LGBT*

Parents, our greatest hope is not our ability to change our children, but the grace of God. God’s sovereign grace has saved us, and the God of all grace will continue to comfort us and sustain us no matter what trials we face in parenting.

A unique challenge that parents are facing in our day is shepherding children who struggle with LGBT identities.

This struggle can cause incredible pain and confusion in our children.

It causes incredible pain and confusion for parents too.

But at the same time, God is a gracious comforter to all of us in our sin, suffering, and confusion.

Parents need to remember — and cling to — this reality as their children wrestle with LGBT identities.

And a great resource to help parents remember this is Shattered Dreams, New Hopes — a FREE Bible study curriculum from Harvest USA.

This resource offers grace-saturated comfort from God’s Word for parents walking through the trial of a child identifying as LGBT.

Here’s what to look forward to…

• Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
• Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
• Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
• Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
• Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days

If you have a child struggling with an LGBT identity (or someone you know has a child like this), then PLEASE check out this free resource.

Download Shattered Dreams, New Hope from Harvest USA (FREE)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, now I yield. I lay down weapons of rebellion at your feet, renouncing enmity to become yours, King of Kings; I must be united with Christ, cleansed by his blood, clothed in his righteousness. Receive us, Father.

May delay be no more; let this be the moment when the great transaction occurs, when we become truly yours, and you become our all.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.” (Psalm 51:17)

All sacrifices are united in one, offered by the person whose shattered heart presents the merits of the savior to you. When the heart mourns over sin, it brings greater pleasure than a bull bleeding on an altar.

A “broken heart” implies profound sorrow, a bitterness that permeates even the essence of life. It carries within it the concept of an almost fatal agony in the very core of life. So precious is a humbled and mourning spirit that it’s not only a sacrifice but possesses a multitude of excellences, preeminently being God’s sacrifices. A single contrite heart is more precious to him than all the varied offerings of the old sanctuary.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Christ never changes (He’s still alive today)

We praise Christ as the unchanging God of all glory. It is wonderful to think that, in the midst of so much change, sorrow, and suffering in this world, Christ is the same.

Of course, we know mentally that Christ is alive today… but what is he doing? After Christ rose again, he ascended into heaven. And he is doing some astounding work there right now for your good.

To better understand what Christ has been doing since he rose from the dead, you should check out The Ascension of Christ by Patrick Schreiner. This book is an accessible introduction to an often-neglected doctrine.

I know that reading it will bring you a lot of joy as you reflect on Christ’s present ministry for you. Grab a copy and read it this summer.

Buy The Ascension of Christ:

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

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 in heaven, we lift a prayer for those who neglect you. Created by you yet estranged from you, nourished by your bounty yet silent in gratitude, living for self, the world, Satan, and sin. They cannot pray, for they are spiritually lifeless. Your quickened children intercede for them. They won’t come to you, as lost sheep, but we implore you to seek and bring them back.

Glorious Lord, you have taught us to pray for others, for the grace that reached us, undeserving sinners, can surely reach the vilest. We boast not in who we are, nor in our natural state. If our just punishment had been enacted, we would dwell in hell. It is your abundant, free, sovereign, distinguishing grace that lifted us from the mire and placed us on the Rock. Shall we not then pray for others? Shall we neglect to pray for their conversion? Should we not weep for those who lack tears and cry out for those without prayers? We must and we will, Father.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; you are not pleased with a burnt offering.” (Psalm 51:16)

David’s insight transcends the symbolic ritual; his eyes of faith fixate on the actual atonement. I could present tens of thousands of offerings if they could suffice. Indeed, I would willingly offer anything you prescribed. We are ready to give up all we possessions if it means being cleansed of our sins. And once sin is pardoned, our joyful gratitude is ready for any sacrifice.

But he understands that no burnt sacrifice could truly appease. His soul’s depth of need compels him to look beyond the symbol to the reality.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Parenting in a Sexually-Confused World*

As we raise children in a confusing cultural moment, our hope is not in our power or ability as parents — but in Christ’s grace and power to save. He is able to help our children, no matter what sins tempt them.

One of the most difficult things that parents will face today is the cultural confusion around sexuality and gender. Our kids hear a lot of confusing messages about homosexuality and transgenderism.

While there are a lot of great resources to help parents understand the current cultural pressures our kids face, there aren’t many tools to help parents process when a child actually comes to identify as LGBTQ+.

And that’s why I’m so thankful for Shattered Dreams, New Hopes — a FREE Bible study curriculum from Harvest USA.

This resource is an invaluable tool for parents walking through one of the most difficult seasons as their child has made sin and confusion a central part of their identity.

This book is NOT “five steps to fix your child,” because only God can save our children.

Rather, this is a biblical exploration of what God is graciously doing in your heart through this trial.

Here’s what to look forward to…

• Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
• Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
• Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
• Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
• Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days

This curriculum really is an invaluable, faithful resource. If you have a child struggling with an LGBT identity (or someone you know has a child like this), then PLEASE check out this resource.

Download Shattered Dreams, New Hope from Harvest USA (FREE)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our souls long to ignite words of fire, yet we are limited! When will we shed this earthly form that restrains our song? When will our wings carry us upward to your throne, allowing us to learn the flaming sonnets sung by cherubim above, so we may forever glorify you?

However, even these expressions fall short of your glory. We yearn to sing a new song to you. In heaven, we will lead eternal music. We will encircle your throne, rejoicing endlessly, making the waving of palms and the casting of crowns at your feet the pinnacle of our glory, our bliss, our heaven, forever and ever!

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” (Psalm 51:15)

I am so cautious of my own inadequacy that I entrust my entire being to your care. I’m hesitant to speak until you unseal my shame-stricken mouth. How miraculously you can open our lips, causing us to pour forth divine thoughts under your inspiration!

This penitent prayer can benefit anyone whose shame over sin renders them speechless during prayer. Once fully answered, the tongue of the silent begins to sing. When vanity, anger, falsehood, or lust unseal the gate, vile deeds spill forth. Yet, when the Holy Spirit opens the gateway, grace, mercy, peace, and all virtues emerge in harmonious melodies, akin to the daughters of Israel celebrating David’s victory.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God’s Care for Parents of LGBT-Identifying Children*

Suffering parents of sinful children (which is ALL parents) can confidently pray to God through Christ, who gives mercy and grace to help in times of need. As parents, the mercy and truth of Jesus Christ is essential to sustain us through every trial we face.

Whatever we face as parents, we always need to pray.

And, what incredible mercy, God always hears our prayers!

One challenge that countless parents are facing today is a child adopting an LGBT identity. Many Christians aren’t equipped to think biblically about this, and so parents are tempted to despair.

But we do not need to despair when we worship a God who hears prayers.

A great resource to help you navigate your child’s adopting an LGBT identity is Shattered Dreams, New Hopes — a FREE Bible study curriculum from Harvest USA.

This study will remind you of the comfort of God and the mercy to be found in Jesus.

Here’s what to look forward to…

• Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
• Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
• Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
• Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
• Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days

If you are struggling with your child’s LGBT identity, don’t struggle alone! Remember the mercy of God with Shattered Dreams, New Hope.

Download Shattered Dreams, New Hope from Harvest USA (FREE)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We give you thanks, Divine Son of God, co-eternal and co-equal with the Father. You humbled yourself to be born of a virgin. Cloaked in human form, you embraced obedience, even to death on the cross. Let an eternal diadem replace the thorns on your brow. Your sacrifice has redeemed us; to you belong glory, honor, power, majesty, dominion, and might, forever and ever!

Equally, most blessed Spirit, you who hovered over chaos and brought forth order, who gave birth to the Son of God in flesh, who ignited our spiritual life. Through your divine energy, we are sanctified and aspire to share in the inheritance of saints in light. To you, too, we offer unending hallelujahs.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God— God of my salvation— and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.” (Psalm 51:14)

Genuine penitents do not resort to euphemisms but come directly to the point, openly acknowledging their sins. What other approach is reasonable before the omniscient? He acknowledges sins more candidly in this verse, yet addresses God with greater confidence. Faith grows through the exercise of prayer.

He recognizes that only the King can remit the penalty of death, and he takes joy in the fact that God is King and the author of his salvation. He vows to sing, even with great fervor, of this righteous way of mercy. Ultimately, it’s the righteousness of divine mercy that is most wondrous.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Hope for Parents of Children Wrestling with LGBT identities*

Parents, our response to our children’s sin can teach us a lot about our own hearts. And we can have a lot of confidence that God is at work for our good through these struggles. This includes our children adopting LGBT identities.

Yes, God is at work is US when our children struggle with LGBT sins.

And we need biblical guidance to explore these things, always remembering God’s mercy to us during this uniquely challenging season.

And a great resource to help parents see this is Shattered Dreams, New Hopes from Harvest USA, a free Bible study curriculum.

This resource offers grace-saturated comfort from God’s Word for parents walking through the trial of a child identifying with the LGBT community.

Here’s what to look forward to…

• Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
• Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
• Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
• Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
• Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days

If you have a child struggling with an LGBT identity (or someone you know has a child like this), then PLEASE check out this free resource.

Download Shattered Dreams, New Hope from Harvest USA (FREE)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

The faithful, chosen, called, and set apart, unite in eternal praise. Your redeemed children exalt you, O God! As the God of our election, we lift you up for your unchanging love. As the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we bless you for the indescribable gift, the offering of your only-begotten. Words falter; tongues are but clay. Your compassion is divine, and our words cannot ascend to the heights of this extraordinary act of grace.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Then I will teach the rebellious your ways, and sinners will return to you.” (Psalm 51:13)

It is my firm intention to be a teacher to others, and indeed, none instruct others as effectively as those who have personally learned from God. The audience David chooses is significant—he desires to instruct transgressors like himself.

My fall will lead to the recovery of others. You will bless my heartfelt testimony of the restoration of many who, like me, have strayed onto crooked paths. This psalm and the entire story of David have undoubtedly produced fruitful results in the conversion of transgressors, demonstrating how even evil can be turned to good.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Stop living for superficial joys — find true peace in God.

You were created, not to build your own Kingdom, but to seek God’s. And it’s only when we live for THAT Kingdom, that we really start to live.

Recently, I’ve been really helped (and challenged) while reading A Quest for More: Living for Something Bigger than You by Paul Tripp. This book will invite you to living an incredible life, serving alongside Jesus, that will set you free from worry, legalism, and more.

Serving God isn’t about giving up your freedom — it’s about being set free to live the amazing purpose that God has for you.

This is an incredible life-giving book that will fill you with desire to know God and serve him with your all.

I hope you’ll buy a copy and read it this summer!

Buy A Quest for More:

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

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We bow in adoration of your glorious and ever-beloved Name. “All the earth worships you, the everlasting Father.” Heaven radiates with your glory. If only human hearts could be as filled with reverence. May humanity’s noblest creations, whom you placed in the Garden of Eden, for whom the Savior’s blood was shed, love you with their entirety.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:12)

I have experienced salvation and recognized it as your own. I’ve also known the joy that comes from being saved in you, but I’ve lost it for a time. Therefore, I long for its restoration. None but God can restore this joy, but he is capable and willing to do so. This joy follows after pardon and purity. In this order, it’s safe; in any other, it’s presumptuous or delusional.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God has called you to not fall away; and he is holding onto you.

Today’s verse of the day encouraged us to ask God for restoration and preservation. We have confidence that God would keep us to the end and preserve our faith. We know this to be true — you were saved by grace, you are being kept by grace, and one day, you will be brought home by grace.

And yet, the Bible is full of warnings to not fall away and commands to hold on. Why are we commanded to do what God has promised to do for us? What is the relationship between our persevering and his preserving?

A great book for answering questions like that is Run to Win the Prize: Perseverance in the New Testament by Tom Schreiner. This is an incredible book that will fill you with the hope of Christ and encourage you to stay faithful to him until the very end.

If you are ever worried about losing your salvation, this book will comfort you.
If you are tempted to sin, this book will challenge you.

I know this short, practical, faithful book will encourage you, so I hope you’ll grab a copy today and read it this summer.

Buy Run to Win the Prize:

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

O Lord God, the source of abundance, we, who are but vessels of emptiness, approach you seeking your boundless provisions. Our plea is not in vain, for we come bearing the weight of a plea that prevails. Commanded by your Word, emboldened by your promise, and preceded by Christ Jesus, our High Priest, we trust that whatever we ask in prayer, believing, shall be granted. Assist us now in seeking the right things, that our words may find favor in your presence, O God, our strength and redeemer.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Do not banish me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11)

Do not discard me as worthless; do not banish me from your face and favor like Cain. Allow me to dwell among those who share your love, even if I’m permitted to remain at the threshold. I deserve perpetual exclusion from your courts, yet, o gracious Lord, let me retain this privilege that is as precious as life itself to me.

Your Spirit is my wisdom; do not abandon me to my own foolishness. He is my strength; do not leave me vulnerable to my own weakness. Neither drive me from you nor withdraw yourself from me. Maintain the bond between us, for it’s my sole hope of salvation. It would be remarkable for such a pure Spirit to deign to remain in such a base heart as mine. Yet, considering all the wonders together, I earnestly implore you to do this, for the sake of your mercy.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

An incredible testimony of God’s grace to help you hate sin.

We barely know how deeply sinful our hearts are. From our roots to our leaves, we are cursed with sin, so that all of the fruit we bear is poisoned and bitter.

Our only hope to escape this sin-stained, cursed existence, is God’s grace. A really great book to help you understand the seriousness of our sin and our need for God’s grace is Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry.

This book is a memoir describing Jackie’s journey out of sin, by grace. It’s an absolutely beautiful story of God’s power and mercy to save.

One of the things I love the most about this book is how its rich theology is described so beautifully. Jackie paints a picture of a God who is worthy of our worship, faith, and obedience — a God who is better than sin.

This book showed me of the ugliness of sin and the power of God’s grace in such a beautiful way. I know it will be a blessing to you — I hope you’ll grab a copy and enjoy it today.

Buy Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been:

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

*Get the audiobook for free with a free trial of Audible.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, save humanity, draw out the assembly of redeemed individuals. Those whom the Father has given to Christ, rescue them from the wreckage of the fall, to be his joy and crown. “Let the people praise you, O God, let all the people praise you.” May the farthest corners of the earth reverence the One who died to save them. May the entire world be saturated with the glory of God.

This is our fervent prayer, and we conclude with this: Come, Lord Jesus, come swiftly and tarry no longer! Come in the fullness of your power and the radiance of your glory! Come quickly, even so, come quickly. Lord Jesus.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

In the seventh verse, I sought cleansing; now I desire a heart fitting for that purity. Yet, I do not ask for my old heart to be made clean; experience has taught me the hopelessness of the old nature. I desire the old man to be buried, replaced by a new creation. None but God can create a new heart or a new world.

Salvation is a wondrous display of supreme power, both the work in us and the work for us, all stemming from omnipotence. First, rectify the affections, for without this all of our nature will falter. The heart functions as the rudder of the soul; without the Lord’s intervention, we navigate a crooked and impure path. O Lord, the One who initially created me, recreate me anew, renew me deep within.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

See Jesus for all the Wonder He Is

I LOVE the way Spurgeon described our floundering attempts at knowing the fullness of Christ Christ in today’s prayer: “our thought makes an imperfect Christ out of him who is altogether matchless.”

Christ really is altogether matchless. He is worthy of endless praise. He is not merely a great man — he is God himself.

Everyone reading this newsletter probably knows and accepts that. But do you know what those words really mean?

A great book for furthering your eternal plunge into the endless beauty of Christ is Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective, edited by Fred Sanders and Klaus Issler. This book will help you really think critically, biblically, and theologically about who Jesus is.

It’s a great read that will challenge your assumptions, stretch your mind, and grow your faith. I hope you’ll check it out today.

Buy Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective:

• 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)

Particularly, although we have already prayed this, we repeat it with added fervor: Make us effective in the salvation of our fellow human beings. Lord, save them! LORD, SAVE THEM! Restrain the torrents of sin coursing through the streets of our cities; cleanse the dead sea of sin, in which countless heathens are immersed. May the day come when the name of Jesus is a household utterance, when all know of his love, his death, his blood, and its purifying power.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Turn your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt.” (Psalm 51:9)

Look away from them; make an effort not to see them. They are in your path, but I implore you, Lord, to avoid gazing upon them. If you were to consider them, your anger might blaze forth, and I might perish. “Blot out all my iniquities.” I repeat the plea from the first verse, now emphasizing it with the word “all.” Not all repetitions are without purpose; in moments of agony, variety of language is not always feasible.

David’s countenance was covered in shame from the sight of his sins, and no other thoughts could erase them from his memory. Thus, he prays for the Lord to do with his sins what he himself cannot. If you do not avert your face from our sins, you may need to keep it turned away from us forever; if you do not erase our sins, you may need to blot our names from your book of life.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A resource to help you share your faith (AND help others too!)

Today we prayed that God would save the non-Christians around us. I hope that God will answer this prayer to help you glorify him in the work of evangelism.

Evangelism can be daunting for some, but it doesn’t have to be complicated! The most effective thing you can do with a non-Christian friend is to read the Bible together.

And to help you do that, I’ve created a new resource, Know Jesus. This is a simple, easy-to-use Bible study. It’s designed for a Christian to take a non-Christian through 15 passages in Mark’s Gospel.

I worked really hard to create a resource that was as easy-to-use as possible, because we are called to share Christ with others.

The best part: 100% of the profits from this book are given to purchase copies for evangelism in Washington, DC, where I live and minister. (One copy purchased = one copy for a non-Christian in the nation’s capital).

So I hope you’ll buy two copies (one for you and one for a non-Christian friend) and start a fall Bible study with someone that you know.

Buy Know Jesus on Amazon (Paperback)