PRAY(ER) WITHOUT CEASING

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Romans 12:12 “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;” Col. 4:2 Perhaps you’re like me but for many years when hearing or reading the verse telling us to pray without ceasing, I’ve wondered how one does that.  We obviously can’t be praying every minute of the

THE LOST VICTORY – Part 2

The Cause Joshua 7:1-26 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33 (ESV) The Israelites had lost victory against the small town of Ai.  Why?  Were they overconfident?  Were they not in fighting shape?  Did they think the people of Ai were a bunch

DEDICATION

Matthew 6:5-15 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. . . But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. . . for your Father knows what you need

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY – Part 2

Luke 11:1  “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’. . .” These men were not following a fad in asking Jesus to teach them to pray.  They were not asking as a matter

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY – Part 1

Luke 11:1 “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’. . .” These men were not prayerless men; they were praying men.  They were not unsaved men; they were disciples of Jesus.  They were

THE POWER OF PRAYER – Part 1

Prayer in The Divine Plan Luke 11:1-13 “Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” (Eph. 6:18) You and I cannot read the Bible without an increased realization of the large place which prayer

A MORNING PRAYER

Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” I find it very helpful to compare translations of Scripture passages.  My favorite rendering of Psalm 5:3 is the NIV, “Morning by morning, O Lord, you hear my  voice; morning by

FIVE REASONS NOT TO PRAY

Luke 18:1 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  (Phil. 4:6) Is your devotional life healthy or is it weed-infested?  Well . . . you’re likely not praying as you ought.  Need an excuse?  Here are five excuses for not praying:

THE SIN OF PRAYERLESSNESS

1 Samuel 12:19-25 “As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you.  I will teach you the good and right way.  Above all, fear the LORD and worship Him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things He has done for you.” (vs. 23-24)

FINE TUNING

Matthew 6:5-14 “Your Father . . . .will reward you.” (v. 6) Nothing is more important to the child of God than good strong lines of communication with his Father.  We are admonished to “come boldly before the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”