Category Archives: Coming to God

“God Answered Our Prayer!”

“God answered our prayer!” we proclaim as someone who has been in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers is brought to better circumstances. We mean well by such a statement. We mean to bring glory to our Father and recognize what He has done. But the truth is, these words can be a poor way of expressing our joy.  Church bulletins,Continue reading ““God Answered Our Prayer!””

Nice Prayers or Good Prayers?

When we have prayed over every wart, pimple, and problem of people both known and unknown, have we really ministered to them? Have we done what God would have us to do for them? Is this the essence of what the church is to be about? Curiously, there’s nothing in the New Testament to sanction the fervorContinue reading “Nice Prayers or Good Prayers?”

Merging Our Letter With God’s (2)

Hayley Smith and Harrison Waldron met at Harding University, married in 2014 and graduated the following spring. That summer while attending a wedding in New York, Harrison was involved in an ATV accident. The injuries he received cause immediate death 90% of the time but he survived and was med-flighted to Erie, Pennsylvania. Today, overContinue reading “Merging Our Letter With God’s (2)”

Merging Our Letter With God’s (1)

Hezekiah’s prayer in the temple is a powerful example of reliance upon God. Hezekiah was a righteous king who nonetheless had a penchant for trusting in foreign alliances rather than Yahweh. In order to protect Judah from the Assyrians, he made alliances with Egypt (2 Kings 18:21) and Babylon (Isaiah 39 along with 2 ChroniclesContinue reading “Merging Our Letter With God’s (1)”

Living A Fast Paced Life (2)

Fasting slows us down. Busyness is not the same thing as holiness. Most of us are in need of wait training. But we’re not alone. The book of Acts begins with the disciples being told to wait (1:4). By helping us to humbly focus on God, fasting slows us down and can serve as part of the renewal process (Romans 12:1-2). The disciple’sContinue reading “Living A Fast Paced Life (2)”

Living A Fast Paced Life (1)

Prayer and fasting are often joined together in the Scripture (see Ezra 8:23; Nehemiah 1:4; Acts 13:3,14:23, for a few places). Immediately after He gives the model prayer, Jesus turns His attention to fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)—undoubtedly because of their close association.  And He did say, When you fast rather than If you fast. Yet unless I’m misreading things, fasting is notContinue reading “Living A Fast Paced Life (1)”

Lead Us In Prayer

Imagine a group of disciples gathered together for a special time of prayer. Before they pray, there’s a meal where large amounts of sodium, cholesterol, and fat-laden foods are consumed. Then the bulk of their praying is to the effect that God will keep everyone healthy. Don’t get me wrong—I’m all for enjoying the occasionalContinue reading “Lead Us In Prayer”

Shaking Things Up

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30) I’ve often marveled at this prayer spoken by the church in response to the release of Peter and JohnContinue reading “Shaking Things Up”