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Category: prayer

Prayers Make a Difference

Prayers Make a Difference

The world is going crazy, or at least it feels that way. Suffering is real for many. Without the crucified Christ, I would despair. But with Christ, I keep hoping and increase my prayers. Because I believe prayers make a difference. In more ways than one. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy. (Daniel 9:18a, NLT) Prayers make a difference, not because of us but because of God. God loves us, not because…

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We Never Approach Jesus in Vain

We Never Approach Jesus in Vain

Do you need some hope for the New Year? I think we all do. We’re starting a new year and now that we’ve reviewed all that needs to be done, the tasks seem a bit daunting. We need the courage to begin and hope to lift our spirits, right? So I was delighted to see this phrase by Päivö Parviainen on Facebook: “We never approach Jesus in vain.” How true, how encouraging, how uplifting. How so, you ask. Let me…

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Prayer Requires Action

Prayer Requires Action

Recently, I heard someone saying ‘Christians are stupid when they think prayer changes things’. He thought Christians only pray and do nothing. But that’s not the way prayer works. Praying does not mean we sit on our hands the rest of the time. It’s not an excuse to do nothing. We are to go forward in faith. First, we pray as it all depended on God, then we work as everything depended on us. Because prayer requires action. Prayer is…

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Licensed to Pray

Licensed to Pray

Do you know that as a child of God you’re also a special agent of God? Yes, you’re called to do good in this world. And you’re empowered to do so by God’s grace. One of the most important tools in this is prayer. You are licensed to pray, to ask God anything in Jesus’ name. “This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask…

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The Lost Art of Lament

The Lost Art of Lament

It’s springtime, the Easter season, and we should all be joyful, right? Yet people seem to be gloomy and somewhat desperate because of COVID-19. These times remind me of the need of the lost art of lamenting. It’s not complaining, folks. Yet that seems what most people are doing right now. Instead, we should be lamenting. I cry aloud to the Lord;    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.I pour out before him my complaint;    before him I tell my trouble.(Ps. 142:1-2, NIV,*)…

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From Desperation to Transformation

From Desperation to Transformation

Do you tend to get stuck in negative thoughts or feelings? I have good news for you. The antidote to negativity is found in prayer. Truly. We are welcome into God’s presence with any kind of desperation. Transformation happens when our feelings meet the Holy Spirit in prayer. So it’s not us, it’s the Holy Spirit. And that’s why it is so effective. The journey from desperation to transformation is short. It’s only a prayer away. So don’t try to…

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Prayer Is the Most Important Work

Prayer Is the Most Important Work

Do you feel you’re not that talented? Not gifted enough to make a difference? You’re wrong, my dear friend. Let me tell you, being ordinary is not a stumbling block, it’s a stepping stone for the most important work: prayer. Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7, AMP,’) We are all called to pray but many neglect…

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How to Pray without Ceasing

How to Pray without Ceasing

I’d always kind of wondered how to pray without ceasing (1 Thess.5:17, NRSV,*) as the Bible tells us to do. You know, we have normal lives to live, right? We can’t drop everything to just pray. So what is the secret for praying without ceasing? I had already learned to pray while working or driving and I cherished my special times of prayer but then I noticed that my whole internal monologue had become a dialogue with God. I seem…

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Impossible Prayers

Impossible Prayers

How is your prayer life? Are you praying impossible prayers? Or do you settle for nice little prayers? I hope you choose to pray big, bold prayers. Because that tells me your God is big and mighty. You see, “God delights in answering our impossible prayers” as Bob Goff has put it. God delights in you asking for impossible things. Because that tells him that you a) need him, b) you believe he can do mighty things, and c) you…

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Prayer Is a Gift

Prayer Is a Gift

Prayer is a gift in so many different ways. First of all, prayer is our way of communicating with God. Isn’t it amazing that – because of Jesus – we can approach God anytime and anywhere? And God is waiting for us. God’s there, listening for all who pray,    for all who pray and mean it. (Ps. 145:18, MSG) A wondrous thing about prayer is the fact that we are heard. We feel better right after our amen even though it is only…

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