Here is a simple way to pray through a portion of God's Word - Psalm 32 1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, … Continue reading Praying Scripture | Psalm 32
Scripture Prayer
Psalm 51 and Becoming a Chief Repenter
Last evening I led a seminar on "The Gospel-Centered Parent." We talked about what it looks like to become the chief repenter in our families. The classic text on repentance is the penitential Psalm... Psalm 51, where David confesses and repents of his sins of adultery and murder. Here is a simple thought and a … Continue reading Psalm 51 and Becoming a Chief Repenter
True and Lasting Happiness
The Word of God cuts through the fog of Satan's lies and shows me where true and lasting happiness is to be found. And so the Word helps me stop trusting in the potential of sin to make me happy, and instead leads me to trust in God's promise of infinite, lasting joy. Psalm 16:11 … Continue reading True and Lasting Happiness
Hope for the Hopeless
From Isaiah 61:1-3... To those who think that their lives are so broken that they have no more heart to try… To those who are bound up in various addictions and besetting sins so that real liberty seems like a cruel mirage… To those who think they will never experience again the favor of the … Continue reading Hope for the Hopeless
Taking Time to Examine Yourself
Why do followers of Jesus take time to regularly confess their sins to God? The regular discipline of confession enables us to grasp more fully the beauty and wonder of grace as we are made continually aware of the depth of our need of God’s unmerited favor. Christopher Ash explains: We desire “to encourage self-examination … Continue reading Taking Time to Examine Yourself
A Prayer of Preparation for Worship
Gracious Father, may all who come within the walls of your house of worship today experience a fresh encounter with You, the living God, so that deep gladness and profound joy overtake them and sorrow and sighing flee away. May all who come dwell in your presence beholding your beauty. For Your presence ultimately transforms … Continue reading A Prayer of Preparation for Worship
Is Your Soul Prospering?
The Apostle John prays for his church: Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. - 3 John 2 John Trapp, an Anglican Bible commentator and pastor in the 1600s, explains what it means for our souls to … Continue reading Is Your Soul Prospering?
What specifically are we praying for when we say ‘Deliver Us from Evil?’
According to the Scriptures, there are seven evils from which we need deliverance: Disciples saw Jesus praying, and noticed the great difference between His prayers and theirs, so they requested to be taught how to pray. He alone can deliver us from evil. Said he to Moses: “I am come down to deliver them,” i.e., … Continue reading What specifically are we praying for when we say ‘Deliver Us from Evil?’
“Deliver Us from Evil”
This last petition of the Lord's prayer helps to create in us a healthy disillusionment with this world and a longing for the heavenly kingdom where Isaiah 11:9 will be a reality: "They will neither harm nor destroy on my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as … Continue reading “Deliver Us from Evil”
Lord, Strengthen Our Capacity to Trust You
Read and reflect on Paul's description of Abraham in Romans 4:17-21: 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations” —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he … Continue reading Lord, Strengthen Our Capacity to Trust You
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