Stubbornness Closes God’s Ears
God listens to those who listen to him. The proof of this is all over Scripture. Isaiah 66:2 offers a prime example when God says, “this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite
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Category: Prayer
How a Husband’s Failure Short-Circuits His Prayers
Since my conversion from dead religion to the risen Christ in 1984, there is nothing I have wanted more than God’s profound favor upon my life. Therefore as a husband, I find 1 Peter 3:7 deeply sobering: “Likewise, husbands, live
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Religious Sins
Hiding beneath the cloak of our perceived goodness are religious sins, those that feed self-awareness of our spirituality. Instead of driving us to God in humble dependence upon his grace, they blind us, fuel self-righteousness, breed spiritual apathy, and often
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Why Refusing to Resolve Conflict Hinders Prayer
Some sins are more passive than active. We may call these sins of omission rather than sins of commission because they are all about what we don’t do. These sins involve neglecting (and sometimes refusing) to do what is right
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The Problem with Pet Sins
Yesterday, I mentioned that I would post six brief articles introducing you to the six most common reasons for unanswered prayer, which are explained more fully in the book, Brass Heavens: Reasons for Unanswered Prayer. Here’s the first of those
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Six Common Reasons God Does Not Answer Our Prayers
Sometimes we’re tempted to wonder if God can hear. After months or even years of praying over a particular person or situation, we look for evidence God is getting our message or even paying attention, and we can’t find much.
Continue readingWe Need to Pray for Our Needs
In 1975, at the Western Open golf tournament near Chicago, the legendary Lee Travino was one of three golfers struck by lightning on the same day. Later, when he was interviewed on television, he was asked what he had learned
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Don’t Pray Like the Hypocrites
Without doubt, the model prayer known as The Lord’s Prayer or Our Father is the best known of all prayers. Many of us memorized it as children, as part of our religious upbringing. While reciting it over the years, however,
Continue readingJerry Bridges on “Pray About Everything”
Last year, one of my heroes and spiritual mentors, Jerry Bridges, went home to Glory. There is no doubt in my mind he received the “Well done” commendation from our Savior. For this reason, it was a great honor when
Continue readingPray About Everything
It’s a joy for me to let you know that Shepherd Press has announced the release of my book Pray About Everything, and are offering a generous pre-order discount on the paperback and the eBook is FREE. Here’s what others
Continue readingGive Thanks for the Church
This morning, I found myself drawn back into Matthew Henry’s A Way to Pray. My post-it note bookmark informed me that it was time to read a short chapter in the thanksgiving portion of the book, which is entitled “Give
Continue readingHow to Pray on Inauguration Day
When we commit to praying for our leaders (whether or not we agree with them), God is pleased with us and is pleased to work in their hearts according to His will. In relation to this divinely given duty, one
Continue readingCared for Better than Lions (and birds)
The promises of God to His redeemed children are numerous, and He is faithful and true to keep every one of them. One promise, in particular, which we often rest upon is God’s promise to meet our needs. And if
Continue readingNUGGETS OF WISDOM
Our Hope Is Built on Nothing Less – “So what’s one to do with this bizarre season in American politics? Perhaps it’s an opportunity to reflect on the nature of God’s kingship in the world and rest in it like never
Continue readingRemembering Others in Prayer
READ Philippians 1:3-11 — I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day
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Three Sleep Aids from Psalm 3
It’s 4:00 a.m. and I’m awake, my body still recovering from jet lag. This is to be expected after teaching Common Issues Addressed in Biblical Counseling in Ukraine, last week. Unexpectedly, however, counseling people with sleep problems generated more class
Continue readingNUGGETS [9/29/16]
Here’s a few articles I think are important for you to read: Therapeutic Praise – I was working on an article on this very subject. Now I don’t have to write it. Here’s why emotionally honest people love the Psalms.
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10 Things That Are True When I Confess My Sin
What is sin? One definition is that sin is anything within me, or an action produced by me, which fails to bring glory to God (Romans 3:23). Whenever the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of your heart to see your
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