When we are going through difficulties in life, we wonder if God sees or cares. When our difficulties are prolonged and our prayers seem unanswered, we can really doubt God. This week on the blog, we’ve been studying 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, the story of a woman, Hannah, who was battling infertility, and it seemed toContinue reading “A prayer that reveals God’s heart for the hurting – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 5”
Tag Archives: pray
How to pray when God doesn’t give us what we want – 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 4
Last year my son and daughter-in-law excitedly gave us the news that they were pregnant with their second child! We rejoiced with them. A few months later, routine testing revealed the baby likely had a significant heart defect. Through the fall, I prayed for my granddaughter to be born and have no heart issues. IContinue reading “How to pray when God doesn’t give us what we want – 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 4”
How and what to pray when you have reached a breaking point – 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 3
Have you ever observed a stranger weeping? Did you approach them and ask, “Are you okay?” Typically when someone is weeping, we have sympathy for them. Maybe even empathy, because most of us know what it feels like to be so distraught that we are weeping bitterly. Similarly, in our story this week, 1st SamuelContinue reading “How and what to pray when you have reached a breaking point – 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 3”
How can you spend more time praying with others? – Praying together, Part 5
The enduring practice of the earliest Christians was gathering for prayer. It was essential to their meeting together. They didn’t just demonstrate praying together, they also taught it. Consider a few passages that provide a foundation for churches to gather for prayer. Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” 2Continue reading “How can you spend more time praying with others? – Praying together, Part 5”
What kind of prayer meetings does God desire? – Praying together, Part 1
Do you remember the Asbury outpouring that happened last year? From February 8, 2023, all the way to February 24th, 2023, that’s 17 days, there was a continuous, 24/7, worship and prayer event at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. Throughout history there have been numerous such extended prayer efforts. In fact, the International House ofContinue reading “What kind of prayer meetings does God desire? – Praying together, Part 1”
Prayer matters – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 3
As we learned in the previous post, when King David was in The Depths, his life, emotions and faith felt very dark. The reality of life in The Depths brings us to the next matching pair in Psalm 30. Look at verses 2-3. David remembers when he called to God for help. He remembers howContinue reading “Prayer matters – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 3”
If Jesus evaluated our prayer – John 17:6-26, Preview
Have you ever thought about how Jesus feels about your prayer requests? I rarely do. I normally just pray, and usually my prayer is asking him for things. Most often I pray for my family. I rarely take a step back and think, “Am I praying for the right things? Am I praying for theContinue reading “If Jesus evaluated our prayer – John 17:6-26, Preview”
How to pray in the Spirit – Jude 17-25, Part 3
What is prayer like for you? Do you spend much time praying? And when you pray, what do you actually do? How much do you talk? How much do you listen? As we continue our series through Jude 17-25, we’re learning how to be ready for Jesus to return, and the next practice Jude teachesContinue reading “How to pray in the Spirit – Jude 17-25, Part 3”
3 ways to pray for your friends – 3rd John, Part 2
How should you pray for your friends? As we continuing studying the letter called 3rd John, after greeting his friend Gaius, instead of conveying a blessing from God, as so often happens in the biblical letters, John next describes how he prays for his friend. It’s a great prayer, too, one that you can useContinue reading “3 ways to pray for your friends – 3rd John, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 