Why Vague Prayers Keep Men Stuck

There’s a moment in Mark 10 where Jesus stops everything for a blind man crying out on the side of the road.Bartimaeus doesn’t pray a polished prayer.He doesn’t say the right words.He just asks for mercy.And when the crowd tells him to be quiet, he cries out even louder.In this short devotional, we talk about why so many men stay vague with God, why the crowd often pressures us to keep it together, and why Jesus asks a simple but confronting question:“What do you want me to do for you?”You don’t need to clean it up.You don’t need to stay quiet.You just need to be honest.

This week was heavy — not because something catastrophic happened, but because my body acted like it did.Tight chest. Tense shoulders. Headaches. No sleep.And that disconnect can be confusing for a lot of men. You know things aren’t a big deal… but your nervous system doesn’t agree.In this episode, I talk about how trauma memory works, why even a small overlap with past pain can send your body into full survival mode, and why Jesus’ words in John 14:27 matter more than ever when your body feels out of control.This isn’t about “calming down.”It’s about receiving a kind of peace the world can’t give.If your body feels stuck in high alert lately, this one’s for you.

Download the worksheet: Say “No” MoreToday’s Sponsor: The Hands On BibleWhy did Jesus say no—and why does that matter for you as a dad?In this episode, we talk about boundaries, calling, and the quiet cost of saying yes to everything. Jesus didn’t heal people and then automatically bring them along. Sometimes He said no—because He was crystal clear about what He was saying yes to.If you feel pulled in a hundred directions by work, culture, expectations, and other people’s agendas, this conversation will help you slow down and realign.We’ll talk about:Why Jesus’ “no” often confused peopleHow unclear priorities lead to burnoutWhy your wife and kids pay the price for your overcommitmentHow to confidently say no without explanation or guiltPlus, there’s a simple one-page worksheet to help you put this into practice.👉 Get it here: dadtired.com/yesStrong families begin with healed—and focused—men.

What do you do mentally when something hard hits your life?In this episode, Jerrad shares a real moment from his day—going from gratitude and joy to panic when his email was hacked and multiple problems hit at once. He reflects on two familiar mental paths many men walk: catastrophizing and numbing.But healing often means cutting a new path.Using a powerful backpacking metaphor, Jerrad explores how men can stop defaulting to fear and escape, and instead learn to walk the quieter, harder path of gospel truth.Practice for today:Ask yourself: When life gets hard, what are the well-worn paths in my mind—and are they leading me toward healing or away from it?Because strong families begin with healed men.

What if God actually wants to talk to you today?Not in a dramatic, spiritual, churchy way—but in the middle of your real life. In this episode, Jerrad explores the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 and the surprising way God speaks—not through wind, fire, or earthquakes, but through a gentle whisper.If your life feels loud, chaotic, or overwhelming, this episode is a simple invitation to slow down, listen, and rediscover the quiet voice of God.Practice for today:Take one minute of silence and ask God, “What do You want to say to me today?”Because strong families begin with healed men.

Today's Sponsors: Backgate Prayers (promo code DTNECKLACE) & Cozy Earth (promo code DADTIREDBOGO)Why does real life feel boring sometimes?Why does your phone feel more exciting than prayer, your marriage, or even God?In this episode, we talk about dopamine—the brain’s reward system—and how our world has hijacked it with cheap, artificial pleasures. From scrolling and porn to sugar and streaming, we’ve trained our souls to crave fireworks instead of candles.Jerrad shares stories, Scripture, and practical wisdom to help men understand what’s happening in their brains and hearts—and how to slowly retrain their desires toward the kind of joy God actually designed.If you’ve felt tired, numb, or disconnected from God and your family, this episode will help you name what’s happening and take your first step toward healing.

What happens when you don’t deal with what’s going on inside you?In this episode, we explore how suppressed emotions show up physically in your body, why science is finally catching up to what Scripture has always taught, and how naming what you feel can actually lead to healing.If you’ve ever said “I’m fine” when you weren’t, this one’s for you.

You don’t have to carry everything you’re holding.In this episode of Dad Tired Daily, Jerrad leads a short guided exercise to help you notice what you’re carrying—and discern what God never asked you to hold in the first place. Together, we explore how responsibility, survival, and old wounds can quietly pile up, and how Scripture invites us to cast our burdens on the Lord.This is a quiet, practical moment of soul care for tired men who want to walk a little lighter today.

Today we’re talking about how dads can make their wife and kids feel loved at a cellular level.In the Gospels, Jesus often touched people before He healed them. Lepers. The blind. Children. Touch came first—then transformation.Modern science is now confirming what Scripture has always shown: a simple, intentional hug releases oxytocin, lowers stress, and builds emotional safety. Especially when it comes from a dad.If you’ve ever felt unsure what to say when your child is overwhelmed—or how to connect with your wife without fixing or performing—this episode is for you.Sometimes the most spiritual leadership doesn’t sound like anything at all.Sometimes it looks like staying close.

There’s a difference between remembering your past and being haunted by it.In this episode, I talk about the narrow road of discipleship—between spiritual amnesia and shame—and why God actually calls us to look back from time to time. Not to punish ourselves, but to remember His faithfulness.When we look back the right way, one of two things happens:Gratitude, when we see how far God has brought us.Repentance, when we realize we’ve drifted or stalled.What it should never lead to is shame.Conviction is an invitation from God.Shame is a verdict from the enemy.If you’re growing, let gratitude fuel you forward.If you feel further from God than ever, today is the day to return—not to hide.Jesus is still inviting you back.