A dear friend of mine, who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: Rising early one morning, he said, I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making … Continue reading When Weakness Appeals to Strength
prayer
Thankful for the Holy Spirit
On Pentecost, we celebrate an important event in redemptive history: The time when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to His followers who would live within them and empower them for service. Prayer of Thanksgiving Almighty Father, we praise You for sending Your Holy Spirit upon Your disciples at Pentecost in the upper room. We ask … Continue reading Thankful for the Holy Spirit
Praying for the Women in Your Church – A Simple Guide
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION FROM PROVERBS 31 1. Make them women of noble character (31:10— ‘An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.’) Make our women virtuous and morally excellent. May they hate sin and love Jesus more each day. 2. Develop our women into diligent workers (v.17— ‘She girds herself … Continue reading Praying for the Women in Your Church – A Simple Guide
A Prayer for the Struggle with Lukewarm Faith
Gracious and Holy Father, My lukewarmness distresses me and dishonors You. I have become spiritually complacent. Warm my heart by showing me again the depth of Your love that sent Jesus to live and die for me. Grant me the gift of repentance and pour Your love into my heart by Your Holy Spirit. Grant … Continue reading A Prayer for the Struggle with Lukewarm Faith
Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You – John 17:24
Before the final conflict of the cross is engaged, one final ministry remains for Jesus to perform: the vital work of prayer. In John 17, He prays first for himself, secondly for his original band of disciples, and lastly he prays for us (those who believe in him through their word). This is the most … Continue reading Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You – John 17:24
Matthew 9:35-38 – A Prayer of Confession
Gracious heavenly Father, thank you for Your compassion for the lonely, oppressed, and harassed people of the world. You sent Jesus to seek and to save the lost, but we confess our reluctance to personally engage with His mission. If we are honest, we are more apathetic than active, isolated than involved, callous … Continue reading Matthew 9:35-38 – A Prayer of Confession
A Guide for Cultivating Your Relationship with the Lord
Over the years, I have had the privilege of helping believers and new believers learn how to cultivate and begin a relationship with the Lord through simply reading and reflecting on his Word. If you have teenagers or kids at home, you would especially benefit from reading through the book of Proverbs. The average month … Continue reading A Guide for Cultivating Your Relationship with the Lord
The Confessions of a Pastor
Holy Father, all of us serve at Your bidding as undershepherds of the Great Shepherd of the sheep – our Lord Jesus Christ. First of all, we ask Your forgiveness for the times that we have taken for granted the awesome privilege we have to serve as a divinely-appointed shepherd to watch over Your sheep. … Continue reading The Confessions of a Pastor
Thielicke, Barth, and Cyprian – On the Lord’s Prayer
In the closing months of WWII, Helmut Thielicke preached on the Lord’s Prayer. He spoke words that ring true for us today: “In these fearful, fateful weeks many people appear to have become alienated from their faith in God: They begin to ask how He can ‘permit’ such things to happen. It would be better, … Continue reading Thielicke, Barth, and Cyprian – On the Lord’s Prayer
Worshipping with Handicapped Hearts
Lord,free us from our handicapped hearts. May we worship You in such a way that our consciences are quickened by Your holiness. Our minds feed upon Your truth. Our imaginations are purged by Your beauty. Our hearts are opened to receive Your love. Our wills are devoted resolutely to Your purpose. Gather all of this … Continue reading Worshipping with Handicapped Hearts
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