Posts Tagged ‘Prayer’

Faith

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Faith is the key to our relationship with God. The Bible says no less than four times, “The just shall live by faith.” And Scripture teaches us that “without faith, it is impossible to please God.”

God has placed a premium on faith. Jesus Christ has already died for our sins on the cross of Calvary. We need to put our faith in Him for personal salvation. And Jesus has opened the door to access with God through prayer. We need to put our faith in what He has done for us.

If we will put our faith in God through Christ, there is no limit to what God can do for us. God is in the business of answering prayer — through faith.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Faith | No Comments »

Prayer for a Nation!

Friday, May 28th, 2010

This Sunday I am going to conclude a series of messages on “iPray” — as we look at how Nehemiah prayed for his nation in Nehemiah, chapter 1.

Everyone needs prayer.  But never before has America needed prayer as she does now.  The level at which our society and culture accepts values, which would have been abhorred a generation ago, is astounding.  If we care for our children and grandchildren, we will pray for our country.

As a church, we want to be relevant and connect with the younger generation.  We need to offer them an alternative in the Gospel from the secular society in which they live.  Such an alternative comes from our proclaiming the truth of God’s Word, presenting it to them in a palatable way, and praying for impact in our current culture.

We owe our children that much.  Join us as we pray for our nation!  You can see how Nehemiah prayed for his nation in Nehemiah 1:5-11.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Faith | No Comments »

iPray

Friday, May 21st, 2010

This month we are walking through a series of sermons called “iPray.” The idea of this title did not originate with me. But I love the idea. We know of how quickly we can call for help — 911 or wherever needed — with an iPhone, or any type of cell phone. We need to realize that we can call upon God through prayer — as fast as iPray — at any time from anywhere!

This Sunday we will look at the 3rd of 4 messages I have prepared on the subject of prayer, or “iPray.” We have already talked about prayer in an emergency (May 2) and prayer by a mother in a hopeless situation (May 9). We had a guest missionary in the pulpit on May 16. Now, on May 23, we will look at “Prayer Born of Faith” through the story of the Centurion who called upon Jesus to heal his servant’s child. And then on May 30, the weekend of Memorial Day, we will look at “Prayer for a Nation” through Nehemiah, chapter 1.

God answers prayer. Prayer is a mighty force. I fear that we do not avail ourselves of prayer nearly as much as we could or should. We need to be a praying people!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Faith | No Comments »

Answered Prayer

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Very few things warm the heart of a Christian as does answered prayer. When God answers our prayers, it shows that He is intimately involved in our lives, that He hears us, and that He cares. The Bible certainly teaches that He has the power to answer our prayers. Jesus said, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it!”

I am inspired over and over again in prayer when I read missionary stories. Lately I have been reading about J. Hudson Taylor, the pioneer missionary into China, and about Lee King, one of the first missionaries on the Carribbean island of Cayman Brac. What answers to pray these men saw!

There is no reason we cannot see similar answers to prayer. My heart was thrilled last week when our church staff saw a definite answer to prayer one day after we discussed a need. Similarly, my wife and I saw a definite answer to prayer this week.

We serve a great God. The Bible says, “You have not, because you ask not.” As the old song says, we need to take everything to God in prayer!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Persistence in Prayer

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Jesus makes it clear in the Gospels that we should be persistent in prayer. My guess is that far too often we give up — or grow weary — of praying, perhaps when God is just about to answer. James tells us, “You have not, because you ask not.” Then Jesus uses two parables to accentuate persistence in the matter of prayer. He tells of the man who has a late night visitor and pesters his neighbor for food to set before his visitor. “Lend me three loaves!” he persistently asks. Finally, the neighbor gives in — not because of his own kindness, but because he is being worn out by the frequent requests. A similar story is told of the unjust judge who finally gives in to help a widow lady — not because it is the right thing to do, but because he is tired of the constant requests coming from the widow. In other words, she is making a nuisance of herself.

God is not unjust. But he uses these illustrations to show us how He will answer our prayers — if we will keep at it, if we will be persistent in coming to Him.

We need to pray and keep praying. The Bible says to keep seeking, keep knocking on the door, keep asking. After all, such persistence is evidence of true faith. We are expecting God to answer!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »