DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
We ask that you would glorify the Father’s name in us more than ever before. Perhaps this may involve deeper trial, but let it be if we can glorify God. Perhaps this may involve the being cast aside from the service that we love; but we would prefer to be laid aside if we could glorify you better. Perhaps this may involve the ending of all life’s pleasant work and the being taken home—well, your children make no sort of stipulations with their God, but this one prayer ascends from all true hearts this morning, “Father, glorify your name.”
Will you glorify yourself, great Father, by making us more holy? Purge us every day, we ask you, from the selfishness that clings to us. Deliver us also from the fear of man, from the love of approval so far as these might lead us astray. Help us to be resolute and self-contained to do, and think, and speak the right at all times. Give us great love to our fellow men. May we love them so that we could die for them if need be.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“‘Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’” (John 12:28)
When you do not know how to pray, you may always present that petition, “Father, glorify your name.” You have some dear one at home very ill; you would be glad if the precious life might be spared, yet you are not sure whether you may ask for it. Well then, say, “Father, glorify your name.” Possibly, you are passing through a great trial, and you would be glad to escape from it; yet you do not know whether it is the divine will that you should do so. Well then, you may, at any rate, put up this prayer, “ ‘Father, glorify your name.’ Whatever is most for your glory, let that be my will as it is your will.”
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
God is at work in your trials. Learn more from Spurgeon
Today we prayed, asking God to be glorified in our lives, even if that means we experience trials. God is always at work in our life for his glory, including when we suffer.
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)