Category Archives: Prayer

A few summers ago at a writers’ retreat, our group of 11 gathered to pray. Each attendee prayed for the woman to her right. As my turn grew closer, my angst grew greater. What should I pray? I anxiously wondered. Another time when our church small group leader asked for somebody to close in prayer, IContinue reading “Afraid to Pray with Others?”

The standard “Christian” way to end prayer is by saying, “in Jesus’ name. Amen.” Have you ever wondered why? If so, I am hoping this blog may help you. Firstly, we don’t need to verbalize these words as if they are a magic formula. The statement “In Jesus’ Name” is not like saying abracadabra. Instead,Continue reading “Praying in Jesus’ Name?”

Younger people in the UK are more likely to pray than older generations, new research by the Church of England has found. The study found that while over half (56%) of 18- to 34-year-olds have prayed, this fell to 41% in the 55+ age group. A third (32%) of 18- to 34-year-olds said they hadContinue reading “Good News for a Change”

“I’m really good at praying,” said no Christian ever. We know we should pray. We start praying. But soon we give up. Or we pray with no expectation of an answer. Or we pray for the wrong things. Prayer becomes a problem rather than a solution, and it depresses us rather than encourages us. HowContinue reading “Prayers That Get Answered”

You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Psalm 31:4 Our spiritual foes belong to the serpent’s brood and seek to ensnare us by subtlety. This prayer presupposes the possibility of the believer being caught like a bird. The catcher does his work so skillfully thatContinue reading “The Occasion of Our Prayer”

Lately, I have been impressed with the fact that prayer is arguably the most important need for the sustenance, vitality, and continuance of the church. A prayerless church is a powerless church. A prayerless congregation will trend toward becoming a loveless congregation. A prayless people will ultimately become a self-reliant people. Every true believer recognizesContinue reading “Praying Down”

As Christians, we trust in the providence of God. We know that God often works behind the scenes in events on earth in order to accomplish His will. But since God has an eternal plan He is already accomplishing, where do our prayers fit into the picture? Take a look at Genesis 24, which recountsContinue reading “Why We Pray”

Pride doesn’t pray. Pride doesn’t think it needs God’s help. Pride thinks that more will be accomplished today by skipping a time of prayer and starting to do the tasks for the day. What’s pride sound like? “I’d love to pray, but I don’t have time to pray. I have so much to do.” That’sContinue reading “Pride Doesn’t Pray”