Category: Pray with Spurgeon

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Bless at this time very graciously the church to which we belong. Let us in this place know the power of prayer today and tomorrow: especially pour out upon the members of this church an intense spirit of supplication. May we agonize tomorrow for the glory of God, and today also, and let it not depart from us so long as we live. Send us, Lord, a mighty ground swell of intense desire for the glory of God, and may we, your servants, banded together in church fellowship, recognize our sweet obligations to our dying Lord, and determine that the prayers of the church shall go up before him like sweet perfume.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

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

When the heart is washed, the dirt is taken from the mental eyes. The heart that loves God is connected with an understanding that perceives God. There is no way of seeing God until the heart is renewed by sovereign grace. It is not greatness of intellect but purity of affection that enables us to see God.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Study the Bible with the Early Church*

Christianity is not new. One of the incredible things about studying the early church is to read sermons and books written by people who believe the same gospel and the same doctrines that we believe — 2,000 years ago. While the world has changed, cultures have changed, kingdoms have fallen and risen, the Christian message is unchanged.

Because we believe the same gospel, we have a lot that we can learn from leaders of the early church. And that’s why I love the Ancient Faith Study Bible — a resource that places commentary from early church leaders right alongside the text of Scripture.

This resource gives you valuable insight from leaders and theologians like Augustine, Origen, Tertullian, and more.

Whether you know all about those leaders or you’ve never heard their names, I’m confident that the Ancient Faith Study Bible will grow your faith and deepen your love for God and his Word.

There are hundreds of study notes from early church leaders, articles by ancient and modern authors, 25 short biographies that will inspire you to serve Christ with boldness, and more.

This month only, my friends at Lifeway are offering the Ancient Faith Study Bible at steep discounts. AND “Pray with Spurgeon” subscribers can save an extra $5 on any purchase above $30 by using code ANCIENTFAITH5.

The Ancient Faith Study Bible and grow your understanding of Scripture and your confidence in God’s unchanging gospel. I hope you’ll check it out.

Shop for the Ancient Study Bible on Lifeway.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Let no believer violate the chastity of his heart to the Beloved of his soul. O Jesus, let us love you so intensely, that whatever else there may be of loving relationship, still this may cover all and swallow up all. Oh, to be wholly Christ’s! We do mourn that we cannot reach to this—that in the secret of our hearts every devil should be cast out, every demon driven to its deep, every sin made hateful, every thought of sin made loathsome to us, until only pure desires and inward longings after perfect holiness shall predominate in our nature. O God, let the scourge still be used to drive out the buyers and sellers: we would not ask to have them spared, but let the temple be the Lord’s, seeing he has built it and has cleansed it with his blood.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)

This is the voice of unalterable truth. In none of the Jewish ceremonies were sins, even typically, removed without blood-shedding. In no case, by no means can sin be pardoned without atonement. It is clear, then, that there is no hope for me out of Christ; for there is no other blood-shedding which is worth a thought as an atonement for sin. Am I, then, believing in him? Is the blood of his atonement truly applied to my soul? All men are on a level as to their need of him. If we are very moral, generous, amiable, or patriotic, the rule will not be altered to make an exception for us. Sin will yield to nothing less potent than the blood of him whom God has set forth as a propitiation. What a blessing that there is the one way of pardon! Why should we seek another?

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God’s Plan to Rid You of Sin and Make you Like Jesus

Today, we prayed that God would help us be totally dedicated to Christ. This is an important prayer, because God doesn’t just want to save you from hell and leave you alone — he has a plan to redeem everything about you. He wants to rescue you from sin and bring you into a new life of loving and serving him.

To every Christian, that sounds amazing. We all want to be more like Christ and we all want to stop sinning, but there is a lot of confusion about how that happens. How will God change our lives?

That’s the point of Matt Chandler’s book, Recovering Redemption: A Gospel-Saturated Perspective on Change. This book explains the incredible work that God is going to do in your life to redeem everything about you.

This book will fill you with thankfulness and amazement at God’s work to save you from the penalty and power of sin every day. It will also help you understand your role in fighting sin.

This is a don’t-miss book to help make you more like Jesus. I hope you’ll grab one today.

Buy Recovering Redemption:

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

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Above all, cast cords of love around our hearts. Oh, hold us, Savior, never let us go! Suffer no professed Christian here ever to violate the loyalty of his obedience to his King. May those dear wounds of his have more sway over us than ever silver scepter had over the subjects of earthly princes. May we feel that if he drank for us the vinegar and gall, whatever cup he sets before us we will cheerfully drink. Rule us, Savior, rule us, we ask Thee. 

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)

Paul was persuaded of four things. First, that God loves us. Second, that God has shown his love to us by the gift of his Son Jesus Christ. Third, his divine love comes streaming down to us because we are in Christ and we are loved for his sake. Fourth, nothing can ever break the bond of love between God and those who are in his Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God is at work in your trials. Learn more from Spurgeon

Today we prayed, asking God to preserve us. To give us faith, even when we are surrounded by trials. When we are overwhelmed by trials, we must hold fast to our God.

Spurgeon knew that suffering was an important experience in the Christian life, which is why he preached about it so often. If you want to learn Spurgeon’s biblical wisdom on trials, check out Spurgeon on Suffering: Reflections on Our Pain and God’s Grace. This is a collection of 12 classic sermons on trials, suffering, and perseverance.

I put this collection together to help suffering Christians (which is all of us!) find a deeper, more biblical hope through the worst of our trials. I know that this book will encourage you.

(Plus, buying a copy of this book is a great way to support this ministry, so I can continue to send out a newsletter each day)

Buy Spurgeon on Suffering:

• Amazon (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)

Set up your eternal throne in our hearts, “Wean our heart from every creature, you to love, and you alone.” We do pray this with our whole hearts; and assist us, we pray most blessed Redeemer, to show forth your praises in our lives.

Sanctify us in our households. May we go in and out before you showing the name and nature of Christ. Help us in our business, that in all we do among our fellow men we may act as Christ would have us act. Strengthen us in secret; there may we be mighty in prayer. Guard us in public, that neither in act nor word we may slip away from you.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“… and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19)

I know many people—that is to say, I have seen them in the streets and they tip their hats to me, and I do the same to them. And thus I know them. This is a slender form of knowledge, yet I fear it is the kind of knowledge most people have of Christ. Even such a knowledge as comes by trembling faith is a knowledge that saves. But I will tell you the people I know best. They live with me in my own house. I see them every day. I am on the most familiar terms with them, and this is the knowledge here intended.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Church history is valuable (Seriously, it’s really important)*

Church history is important. Because we’re not the first people alive who have studied God’s Word. For 2,000 years, the church has studied Scripture, trusted God’s promises, fought against heresies and false teaching, defended the faith, preached the gospel, and applied the Bible to everyday life.

When we read church history, we get to benefit from some of the greatest thinkers, leaders, apologists, and pastors who have ever lived.

And all of these reasons are why I love the Ancient Faith Study Bible. These incredible Bibles place commentary from early church leaders right alongside the text of Scripture — so that the early church can help you along the way as you ready, study, understand, and apply God’s Word.

When you read the study notes in the Ancient Faith Study Bible, you know that you’re receiving reliable, time-tested guidance into the truth of God’s Word. The commentary is so helpful and will challenge you to live out our ancient faith today.

This month only, my friends at Lifeway are offering the Ancient Faith Study Bible at steep discounts. AND “Pray with Spurgeon” subscribers can save an extra $5 on any purchase above $30 by using code ANCIENTFAITH5.

I’ve already benefited so much from the Ancient Faith Study Bible, so I hope you’ll grab one today.

Buy the Ancient Faith Study Bible on Lifeway.com

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Oh, bring every one of us now to believe in Jesus Christ with our whole heart unto eternal life, that we may belong to Jesus, that he may have a portion with the great. But even those who have believed in Christ have need to put up the same prayer. Our Lord and Master, Redeemer and Savior, come and take entire possession of us. We are yours by right; but you must take by force what you have purchased, or you will never have it.

By force of arms, the arms must be those of love, will you capture our willful, wayward spirit? Come and divide the spoil with the strong in us, we pray. Take every faculty and use it, overpower and sanctify it. Every moment of our time help us to employ for you; every breath may we breathe out to your honor. We feel that there is unconquered territory in our nature yet. Subdue, Lord, we ask you, our corruptions; cast them out, and in our spirit rule and conquer.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27)

This shows us how vain is all hope of escape from God. Where can we fly? Where can we hide? What will we do? We have provoked him. “The Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished” (Nah 1:3). This is the solemn side of the matter.

But there is a bright side to this great truth of God’s nearness. If God is not far from each of us, then how hopeful is our seeking of him! If I seek God and he is not far from me, I will surely find him. I do not have to climb to heaven or to dive into the abyss, for he is near. Where I sit, or stand, I may come to him. Omnipresence yields good cheer to those who are panting for God. If the Lord is near, there is no reason he should not grant pardon right now to all who seek it. God is near, and therefore hope is near.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Will you surrender everything to God?

Today we prayed that God would rule our whole lives — that every bit of rebellion and unwillingness to serve him would be removed, because we recognize that we belong to Jesus, our creator and savior.

An excellent book to help you consider how you can serve God with more boldness and surrender is Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt.

The idea of the book is simple to understand, but bold to live out. In a world that tells us to live for ourselves, we need to hear the counter-cultural message of Jesus with clarity: “Take up your cross.”

This book will challenge you and give you specific practical guidance to give your all in service to Jesus. I know this book has encouraged many in the past and I know it will encourage you as well. I hope you’ll buy a copy today.

Buy Radical:

• Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, or audiobook 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)

Now we have a prayer to put up to you, Great God, and it is this, that in us your dear Son may see some portion of the travail of his soul. Lord, let him see a reward for his sufferings, in all of us being repentant for sin, and trusting in God, and confessing his name. We fear there are among us this morning some who still indulge in the sins which brought Christ to death, some that still are trusting in their own righteousness and so are despising his; because if theirs will suffice, then his were superfluous. O God, we ask you, bring men away from all their false trusts to rest in the great sacrifice of your dear Son. Let not one person here be so callous to the merit of Christ as not to love him, or so indifferent to the efficacy of his blood as not to desire to be cleansed in it.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY AUGUSTINE)

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)

Paul says that he is sure, not merely that he is of the opinion… that neither death nor the promise of temporal life nor any of the other things he lists can separate the believer from God’s love. No one can separate the believer from God; not someone who threatens death, because he who believes in Christ shall live even if he dies, nor someone who offers earthly life, because Christ gives us eternal life. An angel cannot separate us, because “if an angel comes down from heaven and tell you something other than what you receive, let him be anathema” (Galatians 1:8–9). Nor can a principality, i.e., an opposing power, because Christ has vanquished them in himself.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Study the whole Bible with Christianity’s greatest teachers*

There’s a special bonus included in today’s newsletter. The commentary in the “Verse of the Day” section usually comes from Spurgeon, but today I wanted to share an excerpt from Spurgeon’s forefather, Augustine, that I found while reading the Ancient Faith Study Bible.

The Ancient Faith Study Bible is an incredible resource — it places commentary from the greatest pastors and theologians from the early church right alongside the text of Scripture, so that you can benefit from their wisdom as you read the Word.

And all of the commentary is so glorious and gospel-centered, just like the Augustine excerpt above.

So if you want to benefit from 2,000 years of Christian wisdom as you read your Bible, check out The Ancient Faith Study Bible. This study Bible will increase your confidence that our faith is ancient and unchanging. This study Bible will help you read, study, understand, and apply God’s Word to our modern life.

This month only, my friends at Lifeway are offering the Ancient Faith Study Bible at steep discounts. AND “Pray with Spurgeon” subscribers can save an extra $5 on any purchase above $30 by using code ANCIENTFAITH5.

I hope you’ll grab one today!

Buy the Ancient Faith Study Bible from Lifeway.com

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We adore you, O Father, for your great love in the gift of Jesus: we equally adore you, most blessed Jesus, for resigning your life for our sakes: and then we adore the Blessed Spirit who has led us to know this mystery and to put our trust in Jesus. Unto the one God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, do we pay our reverent homage this morning; only we see him yet more clearly than the patriarchs of old did; for God in the face of Jesus Christ is seen in the clearest light that mortal eye can bear.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

Genuine faith in Christ turns a person from darkness to marvelous light and transforms him into light in the Lord so that the light pours forth from the windows so as to be seen by others. The believer is appointed to be a lighthouse to others, a cheering lamp, and a guiding star. His light will be increased as he learns more of Christ. He will be able to impart more instruction to others when he has received more. But even while he is a beginner, his faith in Jesus is in itself a light.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Do you understand how amazing Jesus really is?

Today’s prayer focused on the wonders and the greatness of our God, supremely revealed in Jesus, the clearest light. When we see Jesus for who he really is, in all of his beauty as the King of all Ages, we have to fall to our faces in worship. We must lay everything on the table in submission to this great king.

We always need resources that will magnify Christ to us — books that will remind us of how wonderful he is. One of those books is Christ from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christby Stephen Wellum and Trent Hunter. This book walks through the story of Scripture, showing how Christ is the supreme hero and the supreme hope — he is what all of the Bible is pointing to.

This book is a helpful handbook to help you read Scripture in a more faithful, Christ-centered way and a guide to help you see Christ in every page.

This book will help you treasure Christ and the Bible more. I hope you’ll grab a copy for yourself.

Buy Christ from Beginning to End:

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

We lie in the very dust before you in utter shame, to think that we have sometimes heard the gospel story without emotion, and even told it without tenderness. The theme truly has never become stale to us. We can say in your presence that the story of Christ’s death still brings joy, and makes our hearts to leap.

But yet, Lord, it never has affected us as we could have expected it would. Give us more tenderness of heart, give us to feel the wounds of Jesus till they wound our sins to death. Give us to have a heart pierced even as his was, with deep sympathy for his griefs, and an all-consuming love for his blessed person.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“He will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike.” (Psalm 115:13)

This is a word of cheer to those who are of humble station. Our God has a very gracious consideration for those of small property, small talent, small influence, small weight. God cares for the small things in creation, and even regards sparrows in their lighting upon the ground. Nothing is small to God, for he makes use of insignificant agents for the accomplishment of his purposes. Let the least among men seek of God a blessing upon his littleness, and he shall find his contracted sphere to be a happy one.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Theology is for everyone — and this devotional will help bring it to life for you

Theology isn’t supposed to be boring. It’s supposed to be a glorious adventure into the depths and wonders and riches of who God is and how he has worked in the world. When we think about theology, it should fill our hearts with awe and drive us to worship our great God.

The best books about theology help us along that journey — they cause us to love God more, rather than bore us or make our brains feel bigger. One book like that is Concise Theology by J.I. Packer.

Concise Theology is a collection of short (3–4 page) explanations of crucial Christian doctrines. This book is approachable for any reader. It can be a great introduction to theology or a resource to help you teach theology to others.

When I read Concise Theology, my heart is filled with love for God and amazement at his works. I know this book will help you worship him as well, so I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy Concise Theology:

• Amazon (Hardback/Gift, Paperback, Kindle, or audiobook editions)
• ChristianBook.com (Hardback/Gift, Paperback or ebook editions)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Christ died for sinners! It would have seemed blasphemy to have suggested such a thought; yet you have done it. Your grace has almost out-graced itself; your love has reached its height: love to rebels; so much love, that even your Son could not be spared. O God, we are afflicted in our hearts to think we do not love you more, after such love as this. Oh, were there not a stone in our hearts, we should melt in love to you; we should account that there was no thought fit to occupy the mind but this one stupendous thought of God’s love to us: and henceforth this would be the master-key to our hearts, that should unlock or lock them at your will—the great love wherewith you have loved us.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?” (Romans 8:32)

What do I want today? I have only to ask for it. I may seek earnestly, but not as if I had to use pressure, and extort an unwilling gift from the Lord’s hand; for he will give freely. Of his own will, he gave us his own Son. Certainly no one would have proposed such a gift to him. No one would have ventured to ask for it. It would have been too presumptuous. He freely gave his only-begotten; and, O my soul, can you not trust your heavenly Father to give you anything, to give you everything? Your poor prayer would have no force with Omnipotence if force were needed; but his love, like a spring, rises of itself, and overflows for the supply of all your needs.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Study the Bible with the Early Church*

Christianity is not new. One of the incredible things about studying the early church is to read sermons and books written by people who believe the same gospel and the same doctrines that we believe — 2,000 years ago. While the world has changed, cultures have changed, kingdoms have fallen and risen, the Christian message is unchanged.

Because we believe the same gospel, we have a lot that we can learn from leaders of the early church. And that’s why I love the Ancient Faith Study Bible — a resource that places commentary from early church leaders right alongside the text of Scripture.

This resource gives you valuable insight from leaders and theologians like Augustine, Origen, Tertullian, and more.

Whether you know all about those leaders or you’ve never heard their names, I’m confident that the Ancient Faith Study Bible will grow your faith and deepen your love for God and his Word.

There are hundreds of study notes from early church leaders, articles by ancient and modern authors, 25 short biographies that will inspire you to serve Christ with boldness, and more.

This month only, my friends at Lifeway are offering the Ancient Faith Study Bible at steep discounts. AND “Pray with Spurgeon” subscribers can save an extra $5 on any purchase above $30 by using code ANCIENTFAITH5.

The Ancient Faith Study Bible and grow your understanding of Scripture and your confidence in God’s unchanging gospel. I hope you’ll check it out.

Shop for Ancient Faith Study Bibles on Lifeway.com

*Sponsored advertising Contnet

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Gracious God, we praise you with our whole hearts for the wondrous revelation of your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. We think every day of his passion, for all our hope lies in his death: but as often as we think upon it, we are still filled with astonishment that you should so love the world as to give your only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life; that heaven’s eternal darling should come to earth to be made a man, and in manhood’s form to be despised and rejected of the very men whom he came to bless; and then should be made to bear the sin of many and to be numbered with the transgressors, and, being found in that number, to die a transgressor’s death, a felon’s death upon the gibbet of the cross. Oh, this surpasses all belief if it had not indeed been actually so: and if the sure word of prophecy had not of old declared it, we could not have imagined it.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16)

There was no necessity for Christ to come here to condemn us, for we were condemned already by our sin. Why, then, did Jesus come? He must have come upon an errand of mercy, to bring salvation to the lost. It is even so; God sent him for that very purpose, that he might give eternal life to as many as believe on him. Oh, the glorious freeness of this precious gospel! Surely they deserve the deepest hell who will not have heaven upon such terms. They must for ever perish if they reject life when it is set before them in this truly gracious manner.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Celebrate Lent and Easter with Spurgeon and Others

Today is the first day of Lent. For thousands of years, Christians have prepared their hearts to worship the risen Christ at Easter through the season of Lent.

If you benefit from hearing Spurgeon’s prayers and Bible commentary in this newsletter each day, I know you will benefit from the daily devotional An Ocean of Grace: A Journey to Easter with Great Voices from the Past by Tim Chester. Each devotional features a passage of Scripture, a brief reflection, and a prayer from church history (diverse vocies from Augustine to Spurgeon).

As you read this book every day between now and Easter, you will find yourself overjoyed with hope that God has loved you in Christ.

I hope you’ll grab a copy and prepare for Easter — this book is a treasure!

Buy An Ocean of Grace by Tim Chester:

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