A preacher once said, "Satan trembles when even the weakest Christian is on their knees in prayer." Mary, Queen of Scots, said of the Scottish reformer, John Knox, "I fear the prayers of John Knox more than an army of 10,000 men." James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote, The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a … Continue reading A Prayer
Prayer
Scary Prayers
There's a thing in scripture called "imprecatory prayers." These prayers are summed up like this: "help me; hurt them." (Psalm 137 is a prime example.) Isn't it good to know it's ok to unload on God like this? Presently, I'm in the Old Testament book of Nehemiah in my daily devotions. One significant aspect of … Continue reading Scary Prayers
Lord, teach me to pray (here you go :))
Years ago, I read an article citing a poll claiming prayer being the most neglected spiritual discipline among Christians, including pastors. Clearly, Satan sees prayer as a fatal threat to his schemes or he wouldn't try so hard to make us think prayer is not that important or powerful. But this is a lie. Mary, … Continue reading Lord, teach me to pray (here you go :))
Learning to Pray
Even Jesus' own disciples asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." For years in working with students I would find myself listening to a teen yearn to learn to pray. We would pray together but I would also encourage them to read the prayers recorded for us by others over the centuries. I would encourage them … Continue reading Learning to Pray
Why Pray? (Does it really make any difference?)
I want to thank everyone for your kind and encouraging words regarding the message I preached on June 16th about the mystery of prayer and why God, through human eyes, seems so capricious i.e. why does he answer some prayers and not others? My daughter, Macy Watts, listened to it yesterday and told me should … Continue reading Why Pray? (Does it really make any difference?)
When Jesus Worked at McDonald’s
This past week, on a Tuesday morning, I swung through the drive-though at a local McDonald's for a warm, robust beverage on my way to work. After placing my order I promptly pulled up to the first window to pay for said beverage where I was warmly greeted by a woman at the window who … Continue reading When Jesus Worked at McDonald’s
The Valley of Vision
The Valley of Vision: a collection of Puritan prayers is a book of prayers I have in my library. The Puritan Movement took place primarily during the 16th & 17th centuries. As with any “religiosity” the corrupt heart of mankind can twist God’s Word to mean what they want it to mean - hence, the … Continue reading The Valley of Vision
The Lord’s Prayer (It’s not the one you’re thinking of…)
The "Our Father, which art in heaven,..." prayer was certainly said by Jesus, but as a "model prayer" for the eager-to-learn-how-to-pray disciples. However, the disciple, John, records for us a wonderful gift. For his entire 17th chapter comprises an actual prayer Jesus prayed as he was readying himself for his crucifixion: "Father," Jesus prayed, "the … Continue reading The Lord’s Prayer (It’s not the one you’re thinking of…)
Homeless Demons
[Jesus said],“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more … Continue reading Homeless Demons
The Hardest Prayers to Pray
“But I say to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...If you love those who love you what reward will you get?” (Matthew 5:44-47) “I couldn’t do it.” That’s what one person told me after I’d asked the folks at church that night to pray for their enemies. Thank God for … Continue reading The Hardest Prayers to Pray