Prayer (Page 2)
Prayer and Public Worship (1 Timothy 2:1-8)
Prayer is an essential element to the Christian life and to not spend time in prayer is detrimental to our walk. It is for this reason that the people of God are to be devoted to prayer (Col. 4:2). Such devotion reveals our dependence upon God, which of course is necessary because we need His help.
A Warning Against Hypocrisy
The word “hypocrite” came from ancient Greek drama. By means of role play, rhetoric or a face mask, the individual was playing-acting. Later, the term “hypocrite” became a designation of someone pretending to be something they are not. In Matthew 6:1-18, the focus is on the Kingdom’s citizen’s conduct in regard to genuine godliness.…
If God is Sovereign, why should I pray?
The question in one way or another has been asked many times, “If God is sovereign, why should I pray?” This question is asked because many struggle with the fact that when we say God is sovereign, we are affirming that He in His eternal counsel has determined all things that will come to pass. This means that nothing comes to pass without His Divine purpose.…
The Value of Varied Prayer
It is the clear teaching of Scripture that we are to give ourselves to consistent prayer (1 Sam. 12:23; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17; James 1:5; 1 Pet. 5:7). However, at times we can find it hard as we may struggle with how we ought to pray. The manner of prayer is a struggle for many, but it ought not to prevent us from praying! We must not be under the impression that there…
Daniel in the Lions’ Den – Daniel 6
“Daniel in the Lions’ Den” is a story of devotion, deception, despair and deliverance. This specific event in the life of Daniel reveals the character of a man who lived the life of faith (cf. Heb. 11:33). From the time he was a teenager through to his later years, Daniel proved…
A Prayer for Australia Before our Federal Election
Tomorrow our nation faces an important decision. I pray that our elected Prime Minister’s leadership would be marked by godly conviction, clarity, and wisdom according to Your word. I ask that our government would be used of You to restrain evil, promote righteousness and to lead with…
Resources for Spiritual Growth – Part 1
Back in Deuteronomy 7:1-11, Moses gave the Israelites the mandates for their inheritance of the land of Canaan. There were specific things that they were to do. They were to eliminate their enemies (Deut. 7:1-4) because they opposed the holiness of God. Though these enemies were in the land, they were to remove them. In addition to removing the people, they were to also…
How to Pray for your Pastor
The people of God are to be in prayer for all the saints (cf. Eph. 6:18). Such prayer obviously includes specific prayer for individuals. Paul regularly requested prayer for his ministry and evangelistic opportunities (Eph. 6:19-20; Col. 4:3-4; 1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1). In taking time to pray for all the people of God, it is important that we are specific in what we…
God is in Heaven
Our Father in heaven” (Matt. 6:8)? In this post I want to dwell on the two words “in heaven” because they are filled with glorious truth that ought to greatly encourages us when we pray. The Scriptures teach that God is everywhere (omnipresent). Yet in a special way, His abode is located in Heaven. It is the place in which He rules and governs the…
How Much Should I Pray?
How often should I pray for something? For how long? 7 times? 70 time 7? I like what Peter Leithart has to say about the matter over at First Things. He uses Paul’s “thorn” of the flesh example, and Jesus parable about the persistent widow, and plays them off against each other: “Weakness was essential to [Paul’s] apostolic ministry, an…