Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2, ESV). Powerful prayers demand watchfulness. Prayers can be reactive: something bad happens, and then we pray and get on Facebook® to ask for prayers. Prayers can also be “ask to receive” for our needs in life and ministry. We pray for others, we bind […]
The Discipline of Watching in Prayer Read More »
The effective prayer of a righteous believer can accomplish much (James 5:16b, OGV). Some saints are more accomplished in praying than others. Since health, finances, peace, victory, relationships, and every aspect of our lives can be helped by prayer, we must pray effectively! How do we know if our prayer status matches Moses, who parted
Three Indicators of Great Praying Read More »
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7, ESV). The key to answered prayer is asking specifically. We pray, “God bless us today.” I do not disagree with asking God for a blessing, but how will we know if God answers this prayer?
The Key to Answered Prayer Read More »
Fifty-three years ago, I prayed, “God, make me enjoy reading Scripture.” At 4:30 a.m. this morning I woke up thinking, “It’s too early to get up. I’ll try to sleep for another hour and then I can get up and read the Bible. My number one answered prayer — I love reading God’s Word and
“Make Me” — My Number One Answered Prayer Read More »
For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples (Isaiah 56:7b, ESV). Jesus said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:13). Solomon’s original temple, built on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586
Praying at the Wailing Wall Read More »
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “When you pray…” (Matthew 6:5)! He didn’t say “If you pray” or “When you get around to prayer.” Our Lord assumed that we would pray! I pray regularly, I know others who pray often, and I’ve forgotten how many books I’ve read written by those who pray.
Three Symptoms of Great Praying Read More »
Of 1590 Interruptions, I’ve written about 60 of them on prayer. Below, originally published as Interruption #1227, is my favorite on the topic. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:18a, NIV). The Apostle Paul writes that we are to pray with all kinds of prayers. The Bible
My Favorite “Prayer Interruption” Read More »
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us (Colossians 4:2-3a, ESV). For the last four years of my ministry as a pastor at Fellowship Church, a sister would approach me weekly and ask how she could pray for me the next week. I would see her
An Angel Praying for Me Read More »
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20, ESV). At work, expecting a year-end bonus, how many times did it exceed our expectations? Sometimes an event does exceed what we thought — a restaurant, vacation, job, ministry.
More Than We Think Read More »
But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him (Psalm 4:3, ESV). Any routine needs variation. With weightlifting (or any other exercise), a continually repeated exercise eventually loses effectiveness. It’s the same with prayer. The solution: change things and vary the routine. Following a new plan can invigorate prayer, allow
Three Steps to Invigorate Prayer Read More »