The Gospel Coalition

     Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Rev. 1:4-5

Glorious Triune God, lately my attitude about politics in general, and the American political process in particular, has been a growing source of irritation and cynicism—a sure indication that I need the gospel to center me. This small portion of your Scripture confronts my bad attitude with your glory and grace; your might and mercy; your presence and your purposes. Nothing has greater power to convict me of my sin and help me regain perspective than your Word.

Sovereign Father, I’m greatly encouraged to remember that you are timeless in your engagement with your creation and your people. You always have been, you presently are, and you always will be the God who is working all things together after the counsel of your will. Nothing gets by you, vexes you, or threatens the execution of your eternal decrees. You never need a holiday, you never suffer from ADD, and you always bring your “A game.”

God the Holy Spirit, in your sevenfold perfection, you are constantly executing the will of the Father concerning all things—from feeding sparrows and clothing flowers; to revealing and applying the grace of Jesus; to raising up kings and putting kings down at the Father’s bidding. Nothing and no one can resist you.

Lord Jesus, you are the faithful witness who reveals everything we need to know about anything. You’ve never lied, exaggerated, or withheld any revelation we need for serving you in the world. You are the firstborn from among the dead, which means your death and resurrection are the guarantee and the firstfruits of the whole new creation order. Because you were raised from the dead, all who trust in you will be raised. In fact, the entire cosmos will be restored and brought to a grandeur of which the Garden of Eden was just a hint.

And, Jesus, you are presently the ruler of the kings of the earth. Forgive me when I pine and whine about who’s sitting in the biggest chair in the White House or the Kremlin, North Korea or China, Iran or Israel. Legitimate concerns don’t give me the right to illegitimate unbelief. The good news of your present and future reign should free us from all panic and paranoia.

It should also free us from all passivity and presumption. Show us how to live, simultaneously, as good citizens of heaven and our country. O, for the Day when your kingdom will come in fullness, your will be done perfectly, on earth as it is in heaven. So very Amen we pray, in your glorious and gracious name.

     Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7

Dear Lord Jesus, I’ve memorized this Scripture, taught it, preached it, and prayed it for many struggling friends. Today, however, I’m laying hold of it for myself, for I need your heart-guarding, mind-centering peace. I know you’re not asking me to pretend and pose, for knowing you is the end to that way of life. And I know you’re not asking me just to “suck it up” and be strong, for you are gentle and humble of heart.

Jesus, it was you who turned the chaos of an unformed world into the beauty of creation; it was you to calmed the waves and storm in clear view of fearful disciples; it was you who spoke peace to the broken woman who washed your feet with her tears. Please do the same with all the chaos swirling around me and in me. Replace my restlessness and confusion with order and beauty, for you are the Prince of Peace.

For the things that grieve me, bring your tear-wiping hand. For the things that cause me fear, help me fix my gaze on you. For the things that offend me, keep me from a critical and selfish spirit. For the things that alarm me, grant me the perspective of heaven and gospel sanity. For the things that quicken feelings of shame, bring your mercy and grace to bear.

For the things over which I have no control, give me a fresh vision of the occupied throne of heaven. For the things I do have control over, grant me wisdom and strength to act accordingly. Please help me steward my anger, my sadness, and my weariness to your glory. I don’t want to waste this moment or these feelings.

Lord Jesus, I have no reason to doubt either your mercy or your might. You gave your life for us upon the cross and you’ve risen to make all things new. You are unremittingly advocating and praying for us. No one loves us more than you do. I have seen you do astonishing things before. Do astonishing things again. I’m tired and worn down.

Set the peace of God as a sentinel in my heart and mind. Great King of glory and grace, guard and protect my heart from the lies of Satan, the whisperings of gossip, and the cynicism of naysayers. So very Amen I pray, in your triumphant and trustworthy name.

     When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17

Gracious Father, there are times when the “odds” feel quite stacked against us, as your beloved people. With the naked eye, the enemies of justice, truth, and the gospel greatly seem to outnumber your “troops.” Serving you feels quite overwhelming, at times even futile.

But just when I begin to retreat into a basement of fear or question your concern and faithfulness, once again you open the eyes of my heart and show me the way things really are. You’re such a patient and merciful God.

Though serving you is not like a childhood game of soccer—where we did our best to choose the best players for our team, nevertheless, it is good—no, vital to know that because of the gospel, “those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). Indeed, if you are for us, who ultimately, can be against us? What can mere men to do us but take our physical lives? But for us, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

But the way of the gospel will always be strength in weakness—the transforming treasure of the gospel in fragile pots of clay, like us. It was three hundred poorly armed soldiers, not thirty-four thousand fighting men, you sent with Gideon to defeat the Midianite army. Jesse’s youngest son, David—a shepherd boy, was your choice to be the king of Israel. Most profoundly, it was the crucifixion of Jesus, not an insurrection of zealots, which won our salvation.

Father, the odds are never stacked against your eternal decrees and covenant purposes. There’s never been panic or consternation in heaven. You never “try” to do anything. You don’t cross your fingers and hope for the best. You never have to go back to the drawing board, or resort to plan B or C. You never hedge your bets. You are God, and there is no other.

So help us, and your servants throughout the world, not to become weary in preaching the gospel and planting churches, in doing justice and loving mercy. We will reap a harvest at the proper time, if we do not give up (Gal. 6:9), and the gospel is all the motivation, hope, and power we need to not give up.

Before he returns, Jesus will redeem his pan-national bride, and when Jesus returns, he will finish making all things new. Our labors in the Lord are often exhausting and discouraging, overwhelming and quite costly, but they are never ever in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). Hallelujah, what a Savior; Hallelujah, what a salvation! So very Amen we pray with thanksgiving and confidence, in Jesus’ name.

     Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:19-20

Dear Lord Jesus, because the gospel is true, every day is an experience of living the hymn “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” for you love us tenaciously and you pursue us constantly. As hard as it is to imagine, you desire fellowship with us more than we do with you. It’s even harder to imagine that you actually enjoy being with us—that you constantly delight in us. We believe, Lord, help our unbelief.

In the gospel we enjoy an eternal unbreakable union with you; but for various reasons, we tend to flow in and out of vital communion with you. The sad thing is, sometimes we don’t recognize our heart drift for a quite a while—days, even months. It’s usually the people around us who first recognize our being out of fellowship with you; for being with you changes the way we relate to everyone in our web of relationships.

Jesus, that’s why there’s no greater rebuke than to hear you knock on the door of our hearts; yet, at the same time, that knock comes as an expression of great love—like a kiss. Indeed, nothing is more convicting than to hear your voice on the other side of that door pursing us; yet your voice is that of a bridegroom wooing his beloved bride.

It’s because you love us that you confront us and discipline us. All of your rebukes are life-giving, and when you discipline us, though it’s painful, it’s always for our good and for our freedom. It’s your kindness that leads us to repentance. You’ll never humiliate us, only humble us; you’ll never shame us, only shake us to wake us back up to gospel sanity.

Jesus, your knock and your voice in the gospel are so powerful, and by faith, right now, we rise to greet you. Come in and let us feast together this very day. You are the bread we need the most. You give the water that alone quenches our thirst. Being with you, we desire nothing else on this earth.

Until the day when daily fellowship meals are replaced with a Wedding Feast, may we have to hear your knock on the outside of the door way less often. So very Amen we pray, with gratefulness, in your loving name.

     When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Ps. 56:3-4

Heavenly Father, as the reach of the internet keeps getting bigger, our world keeps getting smaller and a whole lot closer. More so than ever, I’ve realized I’ve got brothers and sisters all around the world who are clinging to you and to this Scripture in ways that deepen my compassion and fuel my prayers. Because of Jesus’ burden-bearing love for us, we now gladly bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2); and prayer is one of the primary ways we shoulder up and love well.

When King David offered this honest prayer of trust, he’d been seized by Philistines in Gath. As we pray, Father, here are some difficult, fear-producing storylines that are playing out in our world:

We pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, Maldives, Bhutan, Yemen, Vietnam, Laos, and China—the ten places in the world where Christians are most likely to be singled out for persecution. Father of mercies and God of all comfort, grant courage and protection, grace and joy to our faith family.

To quote King David, “What can mortals do to me?” Plenty, but in view of who you are and what really matters, very little—for “we have died, and our lives are now hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). As these Christians live out your redeeming story—in nations destined to be covered with the knowledge of your glory one Day, give them an overwhelming sense of your presence. May they be assured that their labors in the Lord are not in vain.

Father, we also pray for friends who wake up today with fear-producing medical reports; families with dwindling financial resources and employment challenges; parents, whose children who are living foolishly and destructively; women facing domestic and other types of abuse; children who are growing up in a world of trauma and terror…

Oh, Father, how we long, more than ever, for the Day when Jesus will return to finish making all things new. Until that Day, may your perfect love drive out our fears, and may we live and love to your glory. Show us how we might be, even today, a means by which you will answer our prayers for some of our friends with real fears. So very Amen we pray, Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.

     I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph. 3:17-21

Heavenly Father, as we read these words crafted for the church in Ephesus, we’re more grateful than ever that you have rooted and established us in your love. You have planted our roots deep in the fathomless depths of your measureless, unwavering, transforming love. Our eternal health and fruitfulness are not in doubt. We will flourish and thrive forever. The gates of hell will not overcome the growth, forward movement and destiny of your beloved people (Matt. 16:18).

However, until the Day when you make us perfect in love, so much can happen to us and among us as your people. Satan hates the church, and really good churches can fall into really big messes; and really committed believers can forget the gospel and do seriously foolish and hurtful things.

Only the love of Jesus can win the day. Thus, Paul’s prayer will be relevant right up till Jesus’ second coming. What but a bigger and better grasp of the love of Jesus can keep us focused on the things that really matter, and repentant for the ways we fail one another?

Father, it’s sobering to realize that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians wasn’t the only time the churches of Ephesus were addressed about love. Many years later Jesus spoke these words to the same churches, “I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first” (Rev 2:4-5).

I’m glad you can do so immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, but we will settle today for what we can ask and for what we can imagine. We ask you to restore us to our first love relationship with Jesus. And we ask you for power—for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit that will grant us a greater grasp of the width, length, height and depth of Jesus’ love.

May the love of Jesus humble us, gentle us and gladden us. We can imagine this, Father, and we do ask for it—that your glory will be revealed in the church and throughout all generations. So very Amen we earnestly and passionately pray, in Jesus’ beloved name.

     ”He [Peter] went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Acts 12:12-16

Heavenly Father, thank you for chronicling the events of this comical, and all-to-common, prayer meeting. As much as it exposes our unbelief, in a far greater way it highlights your faithful commitment to do exceedingly beyond all we can ask or imagine. This story describes the kind of praying I’m way too familiar with. I dutifully pray, but I faithlessly doubt. Forgive my unbelief; override my unbelief; let me behold the salvation of the Lord.

There are many things I’m praying about right now for which I want to hear “Peter knocking at the door.” I have no need to be considered a great prayer warrior. I’m not looking for wonderful stories to tell others as a testimony to my faith. I simply want you to bring a whole lot of glory to Jesus. Astonish us, Father; astonish me with your mercy and might.

Father, I pray for marriages barely holding on and the ones needing a full-bore resurrection; for self-absorbed men who need a redemptive kick in their hind quarters; for spoiled children who need to learn gratitude and how to work; for elders who would rather win votes than win the lost; for pastors who keep defaulting from gospel preaching to law preaching; for my own heart—for greater freedom, joy and spontaneity in putting others first.

Father, I also pray for those in the persecuted church and for their leaders. Strengthen them, encourage them, and grant miracles of provision and deliverance. Cause the gospel to spread like wildfire. Give them so much joy, peace, and love that their persecutors will be convicted and fall down and worship you.

Father, I pray for the courageous men and women who are laboring in the dark world of human trafficking. Bring justice to bear; deliver women and children from the evil of slavery in every form. Protect the rescuers and provide good aftercare for those rescued.

Father, I pray for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit on church families in our area. Let us have done with “lesser things” that we might more fully give ourselves to the things that matter the most to you. We’re spoiled; we’re dull; we’re bored and we’re boring. The main vision we need is a renewed vision of Jesus gathering his bride from the nations and making all things new. Free us from ourselves for yourself. Undo us, Father; humble and gladden us, as you override our unbelief and write stories of great redemption. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ exalted and glorious name.

     After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Rev. 7:9-10

Dear heavenly Father, our country honored a “national day of prayer”—a tradition which should be celebrated every day, because there’s so much to bring before you. My list includes thankfulness for heavenly citizenship. Thank you for making me a citizen of the realm from which I eagerly await the return of the true King, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He’s already reigning, and one day he will return to transform all things—including transforming my body to be like his glorious body (Phil. 3:20-21). What comfort and what joy that good news brings!

Secondly, as broken as our country is, I’m very thankful to be an American citizen. I praise you for the many freedoms we still enjoy and the multiplied privileges that go with being a citizen of this great nation. I bring our sitting president before the occupied throne of heaven, and I ask you to be at work in his heart and through his hands.

As with all “kings,” you set them up and you sit them down at your discretion, so I trust you for the accomplishment of your sovereign purposes through our president, in keeping with the eternal wisdom of your heart. I don’t look for a lasting city in our country but for the City whose builder and maker is God—that would be you!

Lastly, the more I understand the gospel, the more I find it easy to pray in light of the apostle John’s vision of the “every nation” day of prayer. Oh, for the Day when men and women from every nation, tribe, people, and language will be wearing the white robes of grace-secured salvation while waving palm branches of praise and shouting in perfect harmony, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:10).

Because that Day is coming, free me to be a better citizen of two countries until the kingdom of God arrives in fullness and King of Glory arrives in splendor. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ sovereign and saving name.

     For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:15-17

Most holy and gracious Father, as I meditate through this portion of your Word today, my heart is filled with praise for the hyper-abundance of grace which you’ve given us in your Son, Jesus. Our “found-ness” in Christ is a million times greater in degree than our lostness in sin! You are immeasurable, irrepressibly generous with us in the gospel; and we shout a grateful, Hallelujah!

Through the failure of the first Adam, we were born spiritually dead—willing subjects, coconspirators, members in good standing in the reign of sin and death. But now, through the work of the second Adam, Jesus, we’ve been made alive and now live as objects of your affection and delight. You rescued us from the kingdom of darkness, and planted us squarely and securely in the kingdom of the Son of your love.

As dead as we were in our sins and trespasses, we are much, much more alive in Jesus’ forgiveness and righteousness. As distant and disconnected as we were from you because of Adam’s sin and our own sin, we are much, much more at peace and intimate with you through Jesus’ perfect work. As narcissistic and navel-gazing as we were through our connection to the first Adam, we are becoming much, much more other-centered, loving, and caring through our union with Christ.

Most generous and loving Father, you are most definitely for us. You didn’t spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will you not also, along with Jesus, graciously give us all things? You’ve justified us, and there is now no condemnation or guilt, fear of dying or living. Nothing will ever separate us from your love! (Rom. 8:31-35)

Indeed, as grave and great as our condition was through sin and death, the “how much more” of the gospel has trumped it a million times over! So very Amen we pray, with astonishment, wonder, and gratitude, in Jesus’ name.

     Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom. 12:17-21

Dear Lord Jesus, apart from your grace and Spirit, the admonitions in this passage mock our sensibilities. We cannot and we will not live this way without your help. Everything within us instinctively wants to get even when we are hurt by others.

Whether it’s a “lighthearted” insult or an outright assault, whether it’s our forgotten birthday or a remembered failure, whether we’re excluded from a party or included in someone’s gossip, relational pain hurts the most. And too often, we hurt, we tend to hurt others. That’s one form of recycling, unfortunately, we’re all good at.

Jesus, we ask you for thick skin and a big heart. We want to love well—to love to your glory, when we experience everything from unintended slights to fully intended harm. Where evil has already deeply wounded us or is presently stalking, remind us that you will repay, you will avenge. Make this real to us and not just a vague spiritual maxim.

More clearly than we see the enemies of beauty, let us see the wonders of your finished work. Let us see the tons of mercy you’ve heaped on us, more clearly than we long to see burning coals heaped on the heads of those who have hurt us. The only way we’ll overcome evil with good is by remembering you’ve already overcome our sin on the cross. We will feed our hungry, thirsty enemies only as we drink the living water of grace and the feast on you, the Bread of Life.

And Jesus, where we’re just too sensitive, too easily offended, too quick to keep a record of wrongs done to us, and too slow to overlook what can and should be overlooked, have mercy on us. And free us to do the right thing, the gospel thing. As far as we are able—as far as it depends on us, show us how to make peace, guard peace, nurture peace with everyone. This way of relating is simply impossible apart from you. So very Amen we pray, in your holy and sufficient name.