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
prayer
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
Praying to Our Rock of Refuge – Psalm 71
Psalm 71:3 - Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. O Lord, you are a rock of refuge to which we may continually come. May the guilty come and find release from the … Continue reading Praying to Our Rock of Refuge – Psalm 71
When Life Overwhelms – A Simple Prayer for Pentecost Sunday
This coming Sunday we celebrate an important event in redemptive history... the time when Jesus sent the "other helper" who would live within us and empower us for service. Almighty Father we come to you in the blessed name of our Savior Jesus Christ. You have been sending your Spirit for a long time. You sent your … Continue reading When Life Overwhelms – A Simple Prayer for Pentecost Sunday
Praying for A Big-hearted Pastor with Thick Skin
What are the three things that every pastor needs? A mind of a scholar, a heart of a pastor, and a hide of a rhinoceros. Here's a wonderful prayer written by Scotty Smith that you can pray and meditate on for yourself as well as using it to intercede for your pastor. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2013/05/01/a-prayer-for-thick-skin-and-a-big-heart/
Confession of Sin – The Emmaus Walk
This prayer of confession of sin is based upon Luke 24 which chronicles the Emmaus walk. O Almighty God, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, we are unworthy of Your redeeming grace. We have not believed Your promises, nor trusted in You, our living Lord. Through worldliness of spirit, we have not … Continue reading Confession of Sin – The Emmaus Walk
Scripture Praying from 2 Timothy
O Lord, show me how to fan into a white hot flame the spiritual gifts that you have given. O Lord, give me grace to endure all things for the sake of those whom You have chosen here in my city so that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with … Continue reading Scripture Praying from 2 Timothy
Why Remember Gethsemane?
What are the practical implications for taking time to remember Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46)? “Every life has its Gethsemane, and every Gethsemane has its angel.” What an encouragement for us when we wrestle and pray during times of testing, trial, and temptation! Remembering Gethsemane shows us the sinfulness of our sin. Let us adore our Savior … Continue reading Why Remember Gethsemane?
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