Category: Pray with Spurgeon

Pray with Spurgeon: Make us passionate for Jesus

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, keep us true, both in doctrine and experience, in life, speech, and action. May we possess a fervent passion for glorifying Christ. Save us, we implore you, from a faith that is commonplace; bestow upon us the unique grace of a distinctive people. May we live in Christ, drawing close to God. May the world’s trivialities hold no sway over us. Enable us to serve you wholeheartedly.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.” (Psalm 51:8)

He asks to hear pardon, and then to hear joy. He seeks comfort at the right time and from the right source. His ear has become heavy with sinning, and so he prays, “Make me to hear.” No voice could revive his dead joys but that which quickens the dead. Pardon from God would give him double joy—“joy and gladness.” No stinted bliss awaits the forgiven one; he shall not only have a double-blooming joy, but he shall hear it; it shall sing with exultation. Some joy is felt but not heard, for it contends with fears; but the joy of pardon has a voice louder than the voice of sin. God’s voice speaking peace is the sweetest music an ear can hear.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A book to teach kids about our prayers and God’s grace.

We need to teach our kids this truth about prayer — God hears us, not because our prayers are good enough, but because he is so wonderfully merciful!

Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer by Laura Wifler and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri is a great book that walks through the story of Scripture, showing how our sin separates us from God, how Jesus came to bring us back, and how we can communicate with this holy God through prayer all along the way.

The book will fill pre-school/early-elementary-aged kids with wonder as we think about the grace of God to allow us to pray.

I hope you’ll add it to your family’s library today and grab a copy for a friend as well!

Buy Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer:

Pray with Spurgeon: Save us from a superficial faith

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Save us from a superficial faith, and grant us the distinctive grace of a peculiar people. May we remain in Christ, living close to God. May the frivolities of the world have no power over us. May we be mature enough in grace to resist being enamored by the trinkets that suit only children.

Empower us to serve you, and especially, we repeat this prayer, make us effective in the salvation of others. O Lord, have we lived in this world for so long and yet our children remain unconverted? May we not rest until they are truly saved. Have we navigated the world of business, and yet those around us remain unaware of our Christian identity? Have we failed to share the Word of Life with them? Lord, ignite in us a deep concern for all those we encounter daily. May we all become evangelists at home, in the streets, or in our workplaces. May we shine as beacons in the world.

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)

Apply the atoning blood to me through the prescribed means. Allow me to experience the reality symbolized by the legal rituals. Nothing but blood can eliminate my bloodstains; only the most potent purification can cleanse me. Permit the sin offering to cleanse my sin. Let the One appointed to atone fulfill his sacred duty in my case, for no one needs it more than I.

No one but you can truly cleanse me, but your ability to outshine even the purest state of nature with your grace. Snow eventually gathers grime and dirt, it melts and vanishes; yet, you can bestow on me enduring purity. While snow is white not only on the surface but also within, you can accomplish a similar inward purity in me, making me so clean that only hyperbole can describe my immaculate state. Lord, please do this; my faith believes you will, and I know you are capable.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Pursue holiness like your life depends on it.

Today’s verse of the day acknowledged that only God can forgive us of our sins, but we must also pursuit holiness. In this pursuit of holiness, we need a lot of help along the way.

One of the most motivating and empowering books on personal holiness that I have ever read is The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. This book will show you the high calling of holiness that God has laid on all of his people (and why it’s so important) while also giving grace-fueled practical guidance on actually pursuing holiness in your own life.

Jerry Bridges is one of my all-time favorite authors. All of his books are worth reading — he does an excellent job at applying the truths of the gospel to the problems we face in life.

This book will equip you and empower you to pursue holiness. I hope you’ll grab a copy and be blessed by it.

Buy The Pursuit of Holiness:

Pray with Spurgeon: May we glorify Christ in every aspect of our lives.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We are not content with forgiven sin. We pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Aid us in our daily lives, in our families, in our roles as spouses or parents, children or masters, servants. Assist us in our dealings with fellow men, and in our interactions within the church of God. May we be genuine, righteous, pure; shielded from major transgressions by avoiding minor ones. May we glorify Christ in every aspect of our lives.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Surely you desire integrity in the inner self, and you teach me wisdom deep within.” (Psalm 51:6)

God doesn’t merely desire outward virtue, but internal purity, and the Psalmist’s awareness of his sin deepens as he realizes this truth, and how far he falls short of the divine requirement. Authenticity, sincerity, genuine holiness, fidelity of the heart—these are God’s requirements. He’s uninterested in the facade of purity; he looks at the mind, heart, and soul. The Lord has always judged individuals by their inner nature, not their outward professions. He perceives the internal just as clearly as the external, and rightly deduces that an action’s true nature is rooted in the motive of the actor.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teach your kids to live for Jesus — no matter where he brings them

Today we prayed that God would help us follow him in every area of our lives. This prayer reminded me of one of my family’s favorite books, Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know by Melissa Kruger. The book is really fun (with great illustrations and rhymes) with an eternal message: No matter what direction their life takes, no matter what kind of work they do, our biggest dream for our children is that they follow Christ.

This book has been a favorite in our house and I hope it will be a blessing to your family!

Buy Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know:

Pray with Spurgeon: God can clean our hearts

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We ask you, our Father, on this day to perfect your work within our hearts. We are saved, yet we desire to be saved from every form and degree of sin. Even sins that lie concealed within, sins we are scarcely conscious of. Should there be any trace of pride, any trace of unbelief that eludes our awareness, if there exists an attachment to the created rather than the Creator, a form of idolatry yet unrecognized, we entreat you to search us, reveal these hidden evils, and then cleanse them.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5)

This is not an attempt to justify himself, but rather to complete his confession. It’s as if he’s saying, “Not only have I sinned now, but I was a sinner from the very beginning.” The fountain of his life is tainted, as are its streams. His birth tendencies deviate from righteousness; he naturally leans toward forbidden things.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

The (not-so-surprising) cure for anxiety

Today we prayed, confessing our pride and asking God to rid us of it by exposing our sins. Pride is a particularly difficult sin, and it’s often the source of our worries. We’re depending on ourselves, rather than our God.

The path to a peaceful life, free of anxiety, starts by laying down your pride, by relying on the Savior instead of yourself. If you want peace in your life, start by growing in humility.

That’s the point of Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson. This book discusses Christ’s call to humility and practical steps to walk in it. It will definitely encourage you, shape you into Christlikeness, and fill you up with peace.

Buy Humble Roots:

*Get the audiobook for free with a free trial of Audible. The book is yours to keep (even if you cancel the free trial!)

Pray with Spurgeon: God is always forgiving our sins

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

May we enter into deep fellowship with you. May we walk in the light as you are in the light, and have fellowship with you, while the blood of Jesus Christ, your Son, continually cleanses us from all sin. May not one of your children be burdened by a sense of lifeless guilt, and may our conscience be purged from these lifeless deeds, enabling us to serve the living and true God.

And, Lord, if there are any who, having professed faith, have strayed into sin of any kind and degree, restore them. If they have fallen into the trap of strong drink, if they have been ensnared by unchastity, if they have become entangled in dishonesty, if, in any way, their garments are soiled, o may your mighty grace bring them back and count them still among the children. Do not treat them as Sodom or Gomorrah, but let your compassion be kindled, and may they be moved as well, returning with tears and supplication. May they find you, a God ever ready to pardon.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Against you—you alone—I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge.” (Psalm 51:4)

The very essence of sin lies in its defiance of God: the psalmist’s awareness of his sin towards others only magnifies his sense of sin against God. All his wrongdoing converges, culminating, at the feet of the divine throne. To harm our fellow human beings is sin, primarily because it contradicts God’s law. The psalmist’s heart is so saturated with the sense of the wrong committed against the Lord himself that all other confessions are absorbed by his broken-hearted acknowledgment of wrongdoing against God.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teach your kids the BIBLE this school year

We do A LOT to help our children learn and thrive each school year. What are you doing to help your kids grow spiritually this year? Are you more invested in your kids’ education than their discipleship?

This school year, let’s all commit together to making FAMILY DEVOTIONS a daily habit.

No matter how old your kids are, whether they’re in public school, private school, or homeschool, they ALL need God’s Word.

At God Centered Family, I’ve written family devotions for 40 books of the Bible, and I have three convictions:

1. Kids need God.
2. God is revealed in his Word.
3. Parents, YOU are better equipped than ANYONE to teach your kids the Bible.

You CAN do this — and your kids need it! They are eager for you to lead them on a Bible-saturated journey to discover who God is and what he has done.

I write family devotionals to HELP YOU do what God has already called and equipped you to do. These resources are just to help you be confident as you teach your kids the Word.

These devotionals give you EVERYTHING YOU NEED to teach your kids the Bible in just ten minutes each day.

There are two ways to get started:

Pray with Spurgeon: Never forget God’s amazing grace

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, forgive us all our sins. May your forgiven ones experience a renewed awareness of their acceptance in the Beloved. If any clouds obscure you from any believing eyes, dispel those clouds. If, as we journey through this world filled with mire, there are stains upon us, cleanse our feet with that blessed foot-washing, then declare to us, “You are clean, every bit of you.” May we know it as truth, that there is no condemnation, no separation. Sin has been removed, both its power to separate and to destroy.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.” (Psalm 51:3)

Here, he recognizes the multitude and multitude of his sins and openly confesses them. It’s as if he’s saying, “I openly admit to them all.” This confession doesn’t serve as his plea for forgiveness, but rather as unequivocal evidence of his need for mercy, with no alternative source of aid to turn to. His admission of guilt prohibits him from appealing against the sentence of justice.

Lord, I must throw myself upon your mercy, do not reject me, I implore you. You have made me willing to confess. O, extend this work of grace with a complete and free pardon!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Another GREAT missionary biography for littles

I haven’t been quiet about the fact that I LOVE the Do Great Things for God series of kids’ books from The Good Book Company, which tells the stories of brave Christian women who lived radically for God’s glroy. And the latest book in this series is no different.

Maria Fearing: The Girl Who Dreamed of Distant Lands by K.A. Ellis tells the story of a former enslaved woman who used her freedom to travel to Congo and serve as a missionary. This book is an inspiring story of faith and sacrifice. It also deals with some unique themes of justice and evil, inviting our children to live out Christlike compassion.

Maria Fearing will be a great addition to any family’s library. I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy Maria Fearing:

Pray with Spurgeon: God can wash our sin away

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our hearts are filled with a constant melody; we would retrieve our harps, if they had been hung aside, and play every string to offer the sweetest melody of praise to the Lord our God. However, Lord, we cannot conclude with just praise, for we are compelled to come before you with humble confession of our sins. We are undeserving of even the smallest of these blessings. We cannot say, “I am deserving of this,” but rather we are entirely undeserving. Your gifts are bestowed according to the riches of your grace, for which again we give you praise.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:2)

It is not enough to blot out the sin; his person is defiled. He longs for God himself cleanse him, for none but he could do it actually. The washing must be thorough, it must be repeated, therefore he cries, “Multiply to wash me.” The dye is in itself immovable, and I, the sinner, have laid long in it, until the crimson is ingrained. But, Lord, wash, and wash, and wash again, till the last stain is gone, and not a trace of my defilement is left. The hypocrite is content if his garments be washed; but the true suppliant cries, “wash me.” The careless soul is content with a nominal cleansing, but the truly-awakened conscience desires a real and practical washing, and that of a most complete and efficient kind.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Find deeper joy in the God who saves you and keeps you

Today we prayed that the good news of God’s grace. God’s grace really is wonderful and really does save sinners!

A great resource to help you focus on the wonders of God’s grace is PROOF: Finding Freedom through the Intoxicating Joy of Irresistible Graceby Timothy Paul Jones. This book is a a great, thoroughly biblical approach to unpacking God’s sovereignty in salvation — the wonderful truth that God is in control of all things, so that we know he will definitely save his people!

Whether the doctrine of God’s sovereignty has been precious to you or if you’re hesitant to embrace it, PROOF will encourage you as it takes you on a stunning journey to reflect on God’s Planned, Resurrecting, Outrageous, Overcoming, and Forever grace.

I know that PROOF will deepen your joy and confidence in God, so I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy PROOF: Finding Freedom through the Intoxicating Joy of Irresistible Grace:

* Get the audiobook for free (yours to keep) right here!

Pray with Spurgeon: God is able to keep us and restore us

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

O God, we extend gratitude for guarding us until this day, and for the unwavering assurance that you will never let us go. Some among us can declare, “He restores my soul,” for they had strayed, but you brought them back. Lord, keep us from straying, and then we shall proclaim, “To him who is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us faultless before his presence with exceeding joy.”

Bless the Lord, our inmost soul blesses the Lord. Blessed be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Triune God. Blessed be the Lord for every role undertaken by each divine Person and for the divine grace that flows through each title worn by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.” (Psalm 51:1)

The sight of mercy is good for eyes that are sore with penitential weeping. Pardon of sin must ever be an act of pure mercy, and therefore to that attribute the awakened sinner flies. Act, O Lord, like yourself; give mercy like your mercy. Show mercy such as is congruous with your grace.

My revolts, my excesses, are all recorded against me, but Lord, erase the lines. Draw your pen through the register. Obliterate the record, though now it seems engraven in the rock forever: many strokes of your mercy may be needed, to cut out the deep inscription, but then you have a multitude of mercies, and therefore, I beg you, erase my sins.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A devotional to help you run from sin and cling to Christ

Today, we began a new series through Psalm 51 in the “Verse of the Day” section of this newsletter. As we read this beautiful psalm together with Spurgeon over the next few weeks, I hope you’ll find greater confidence that our sins are forgiven, to help us know that we are forgiven of our sin by the great mercy of Christ.

If you want to continue to study Psalm 51, I highly recommend Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy by Paul Tripp. This book features 52 short devotionals (one for every week of the year) on Psalm 51. This is an incredible resource to help you remember the horrors of your sin and the wonders of God’s amazing grace.

You could read the book over the next few months with just five minutes a day, or read one devotional each week for the next year. I can’t think of a better way to spend your time than reflecting on God’s mercy towards broken sinners like us.

I hope you’ll buy a copy and enjoy mediating on God’s unending mercy with me.

Buy Whiter Than Snow:

Pray with Spurgeon: God’s immeasurable love will never give up on you

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We thank you, Lord, for the love that chose us before the world’s foundation, for the immeasurable love that established a covenant for our redemption, for the unfailing love that manifested in the person of Christ and accomplished our salvation, for the love that remains constant even in our wanderings; a love that endures when we prove faithless.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Nothing without Christ Jesus, you see. The mark of the pierced hand is on everything: “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.”

God has decreed that he will have a holy people. This is his purpose, his ordinance, to which he will always stand. He will make it good. He will make sinful people holy, and disobedient people obedient to the faith.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teach your kids the Bible’s big story

Our kids need more than simplistic moral stories from the Bible — they need to see for themselves that the whole Bible tells one magnificent story that points to Jesus. They need to hear (and believe) every Word of Scripture. They need to treasure Christ — the great reward of Scripture.

The fall is a “reset” for many families. As kids go back to school and more routine comes back into our lives, we have an opportunity to evaluate our current habits and cultivate new ones.

I really want to challenge parents — make family devotions a DAILY habit this school year.

To help you, I’ve created a series of family devotionals to help you dive into God’s Word with your kids — God Centered Family.

There are three things that make these devotionals unique:

1. They cover the WHOLE BIBLE.
(Because kids NEED the whole Bible, not just a few favorite stories)

2. They are INTERACTIVE.
(Because kids need to HEAR the Bible, not just sit through it)

3. They are for ALL AGES.
(Because the whole family needs the Bible)

I want to give you everything you need to teach your kids the Bible… in just TEN MINUTES every day.

There are two ways to get started:

Pray with Spurgeon: Jesus has rescued us from dark despair

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Dear Savior, we place ourselves under your sacred protection. Advocate with the Father, plead for us today, and intercede even for the transgressors. We yearn to praise the name of the Lord with our entire being, we who have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Truly, you have rescued us from the abyss of dark despair where we miserable sinners were trapped. You have lifted us out of the pit of destruction and the miry mud. You set our feet upon a firm foundation, and the new song you’ve placed within our mouths, we are determined not to silence. Instead, we shall bless the Lord whose mercy is everlasting.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

“Oh!” said one to me just now, “the man who is saved by his own righteousness cannot do much in the line of praising.” “No, my dear brother,” I replied, “except he praises himself, and he can generally do that pretty well.” Your self-made man usually worships his creator very earnestly; and your self-saved man glorifies him that saved him.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God’s love is an ocean. Dive in with Spurgeon.

A major theme in Spurgeon’s preaching (and all of Scripture!) is the incomparable love of God. God’s love provides for us, serves us, helps us, forgives us. God’s love, seen supremely at the cross of Christ, is our only hope in life and death. It’s important that we continually remember and reflect on the greatness of God’s love.

To help you continue to enjoy God’s love, I put together a new book, Spurgeon on God’s Love. This book compiles twelve sermons by Spurgeon, all reflecting on the glorious reality of God’s unchanging love and unfailing grace.

These sermons have really encouraged me over the last few months and I know that they will encourage you! Plus, buying a copy is a great way to support this ministry, so I can continue to send this newsletter every day.

I hope you’ll grab a copy for yourself (and another one for a friend!) and reflect on God’s love in your summer/fall reading.

Buy Spurgeon on God’s Love: