Daily Prayers for Menنموونە

Stand Firm

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. I CORINTHIANS 16:13 ESV

When someone tells you to "act like a man," what message do you hear? Be tough? Hide your feelings? Take down a bully? Don't show vulnerability? Suffer in silence? This verse offers some helpful hints on what those words mean when they come from God. "Stand firm in the faith" encourages you to examine your foundation. Understand why you believe what you do. Don't be afraid to ask tough questions. Get to know God's Word. Reinforce your own faith so that you can help others stand firm with you. Notice that God says, "Be strong," not, "Maintain a strong façade." This verse isn't talking about hiding your vulnerabilities away or pretending you don't have any. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is admit your weakness and ask for help. With the help of God and the people who care about you, you can stand strong through any circumstances.

God, thank You for Your perspective on what it means to act like a man. Thank You for freeing me from having to put up a façade or conform to certain cultural expectations about how a man should act. Help me understand what it means to stand firm in my faith. Give me the right questions to ask as I try to figure out why I believe what I do. Surround me with people who can help me examine and strengthen my foundation. I want to be strong—for myself and for others. Show me how. Give me the courage to admit my weaknesses and ask for help when I need it. Hold my feet steady so that I won’t back down from challenges to my faith.

Help me become the man You created me to be. Amen.