Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. —James 5:16 ESV Kim Riddlebarger: What is the most important thing that a persecuted and suffering church can do? The answer is so obvious that … More Prayer is not a magical “abracadabra”
John Piper, in a sermon “The Elders, the People, and the Prayer of Faith” In James 5:13–18 we see at least three kinds of praying not just one. And all three of them are ways of praying for people who are sick or suffering in some way. You can’t use this text to say there … More NOT Just One Way to Pray
Ray Stedman takes us on a tour of Jeremiah 14-15, the reading for today: The word of the Lord which came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: {Jer 14:2 RSV} He goes on to describe the land, how the cisterns have no water, the ground is dismayed, there is no rain on the land, the crops … More “Regardless of what we’re like, God, remember what you’re like.”
John Piper, in a sermon, “Prayer and the Victory of God” Now to fix this truth vividly in your minds—that the victory of God is coming and that it is coming by means of our prayers—look with me at Isaiah 37 and one stunning illustration of prayer and the victory of God. Sennacherib was the … More The Stunning Effect of Prayer Illustrated
How prone are we to self-deception? Are we really able to be honest with ourselves as we talk with God? Do we remember daily the true source of our righteousness? Here is a devotional by Elaine Stedman, inspired by one of Ray Stedman’s sermons: Remember me with favor, O my God (Nehemiah 13:31b). Some people … More Remember me with favor, O my God
In Nehemiah 4, we come to two statements which contain elements of God’s awesome power and sovereignty, and also elements of our responsibility. The setting is the rebuilding of the wall and the fierce opposition from the enemies of the Jews. In verse 9 we read: And we prayed to our God and set a … More Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight …
Nehemiah 1:4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, … More Prayer from a deep reservoir of faith
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who … More What reaches farther in its effects than anything else we can do?
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! John Piper, in a sermon, “How to Argue … More When you come to God, fill your mouth with arguments
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 John Piper relates this story in a sermon, “Devote Yourselves to Prayer” There is a story about D. L. Moody making a visit to Scotland in the 1800’s and opening one of his talks at a local grade school with the rhetorical question, … More Piper: The God who loves to be asked for things
