All too often when we come to church, we have the tendency to put masks on. You walk in the building and when people ask you how you are doing, the answer is usually something along the lines of “doing great.” If you are in some church traditions, you might say “I’m blessed and highlyContinue reading “Broken Prayers”
Category Archives: Prayer
Prayer for People Who Suck at It
Exasperated by my spiritual life, I thought about how little I prayed and felt no desire to do it. How can a spiritual leader suck so badly at prayer? This is a sobering question to ask oneself in ministry. What I didn’t realize at the time, and what no one told me, was that this was anContinue reading “Prayer for People Who Suck at It”
Barna Study of Online Prayer
With many churches and businesses finding that the only way to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic was to go virtual, a new study was conducted to observe American adults’ disposition toward online church services and the way America does church could be changing. The Barna Group conducted its newly released State of the Church surveyContinue reading “Barna Study of Online Prayer”
The Weak Made Strong
We have to be very careful in how we wage spiritual war. Thanks to some fanciful fictions and inspirational clichés, a lot of bad theology has crept into the Church’s thinking on these matters. The way some people talk about prayer owes more to New Age spirituality than biblical Christianity. Many of us were evenContinue reading “The Weak Made Strong”
Piercing Heaven
A book I’ve come to much enjoy is Piercing Heaven, which shares favorite prayers from the Puritans (and a few others). Many of the prayers are ones I’ve been able to pray myself. This example comes from the pen of Robert Hawker. Precious Jesus, you are the Source, the Fountain, the Author, the Finisher ofContinue reading “Piercing Heaven”
A Prayer for President’s Day
Lord Jesus, on this Presidents Day in America, we gladly affirm that every day is your day. “In the fullness of time,” you entered our world the first time (Gal. 4:4-7); and “at just the right time,” you are coming back. It’s the Day for which we long with growing anticipation; and, at times, withContinue reading “A Prayer for President’s Day”
Find a Way
The story for today is a moving one. A kind, but childless, womanand her husband have used their wealth to serve Elisha, even before theysuspected he was a prophet. Then, when the son Elisha promised themdies, he heals the child and restores him to his grateful parents. It’s amiraculous, touching story. But it also carriesContinue reading “Find a Way”
“A Prayer Of Resolve To Be Faithful”
Father, we read throughout the period of the Judges that the people of Israel endured great heartache and spiritual defeat because each one became his own authority and acted on his own opinions of what was right and wrong. They did not look to You as the final authority; they disregarded Your holy laws andContinue reading ““A Prayer Of Resolve To Be Faithful””
A Prayer for God’s Guidance
Heavenly Father, though we cannot see You in the heavenly kingdom, You do see us as we walk the pilgrim pathway. You guide us through this earthly maze of sudden turns, strange territory, and even the disappointing dead ends. Though we may be jostled from time to time in the midst of finding our wayContinue reading “A Prayer for God’s Guidance”
A Prayer for God’s Provision
Father, we’re reminded of Your absolute faithfulness as we reflect upon the Israelites’ journeying in the wilderness. Even when they were unfaithful and rebellious, in Your compassionate faithfulness, You provided for their daily needs. Your steadfast love never ceased and Your mercies never came to an end, for they were renewed everyday and are thisContinue reading “A Prayer for God’s Provision”
