As author John Piper once wrote, “We weren’t meant to be somebody – we were meant to know Somebody.”
While Christ was teaching the disciples, He taught them that success was a by-product of knowing and obeying Him. As proof, when they obeyed Jesus by cas
The world perceives the church as an observer and a “yes-man” for government leaders. They don’t take the church seriously in shaping society’s values. This is in direct contrast to Mary, Queen of Scots, who said, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than I fear all the armies on the face of the…
It’s a mystery how God answers prayer. Why do we have to wait for many answers? Sometimes things get worse before they get better. In God’s mercy, He may answer better. We look back and say, I’m glad God didn’t answer that prayer! Can we miss praying acco
For some of my prayer requests, I think God won’t answer. Some seem too little and others too large. Do you have the experience like me when I envision my prayers dissolving in thin air like mist? God indeed wants our prayers answered, which should be the
I don’t think about fasting very much. It doesn’t seem that important. Why should I fast? Won’t I get hungry? Isn’t fasting something that monks do and not your average person? It amazing that we see fasting spread throughout the Bible.
Prayer is as much position as it’s petition. If your life is weak, your prayer will collapse. We can’t fake out God. It’s the “fervent prayer of a righteous man” that accomplishes much (James 5:16). If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not h
Praying for the Lost
I often wonder what I should pray for with so many possibilities. What if we knew God’s prayer list? Three other questions. How do we reconcile man’s free will and God’s sovereignty? Isn’t God going to do whatever He wants? Can my prayers shift peoples’ free will toward God’s plan? Even though we don’t have…
I know prayer is important, but sometimes I get distracted. There are times I don’t pray for someone. Why don’t I prioritize praying for someone? Don’t I believe prayer will make a huge difference in someone’s life? This blog will show why we need to pray for others. In this fifth blog about prayer, I…
Intercession is more than prayer. Prayer is a form and expression of intercession, but it alone is not intercession. Intercession is not petition. Intercession is position. It’s not something we do–it is something we are. It’s not an exercise we engage in
When I face an irritating circumstance, interpersonal disagreement, or major setback, I often focus on the problem instead of the power behind it. Did you know that we’re in a spiritual battle? We’re at war! Paul identified these opponents as principalities, powers, rulers, and spiritual wickedness in Ephesians 6:10-18. In this third blog about prayer, I…
Sometimes I feel unworthy to pray, especially after a season of busyness and focus on self. I wonder if God will listen to my prayers. Will they be effective or will my prayers dissipate into thin air? I entertain doubts whether God will answer my prayers. In this second blog about prayer, I will again…