Prayer and fasting are often joined together in 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 not partContinue reading “Living A Fast Paced Life (1)”
Category Archives: 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?”
And how would you like that done?
Anyone who has spent any time in the Scripture knows that God’s word is so full of wonder that a lifetime of mining it will not exhaust its riches—there’s always more. Case in point: the story of Elijah and the Aramean army that is found in 2 Kings 6. I was teaching from this textContinue reading “And how would you like that done?”
Giving God Fast Prayers
It’s important to note that the record of Jesus’ teaching that Matthew relates to us in 6:1-18, is given in response to Pharisaical abuses (5:20,21,27,31,33,38,43). If the “hypocrites” of 6:2,5,16 aren’t exclusively Pharisees, it certainly would include them (see 23:13,15,23,25,27,29). So we shouldn’t approach the text as an open forum on the subjects of giving, fasting, andContinue reading “Giving God Fast Prayers”
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”
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)”
Israel, the Pharisees, and Prayer
Israel wanted a king (1 Samuel 8)! There were some legitimate reasons why they needed a king. A king would help them to be something more than the loose confederation of tribes they were—characterized by infighting and the failure to come to the aid of each other when under attack (see the book of Judges). Furthermore,Continue reading “Israel, the Pharisees, and Prayer”
Promised Land!
Ed Wharton, is a follower of Jesus who has given his life to sharing the good news as well as equipping others to do so. Recently, Ed learned he has leukemia. At 94, he made the decision to forego chemo and other treatments and went into hospice care. He commented that he didn’t understand whyContinue reading “Promised Land!”
Prayer And The Sick
Sometimes our prayers for the sick aren’t very healthy. You may never have thought about this, but it can be a challenge to pray someone who is sick in a way that honors them and God. Since prayer is not just about expressing what’s on our heart, but also what’s on God’ heart, our prayersContinue reading “Prayer And The Sick”
A Picture Of Prayer
The story of Hezekiah can be found in 2 Kings 18-20 and 2 Chronicles 29-32. Hezekiah was a good man who lived during a bad time. Nonetheless, he stood for God and made sweeping religious reforms in Israel’s worship. He went after the high places (often neglected by other “good” kings), sacred stones, and Asherah poles. He evenContinue reading “A Picture Of Prayer”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 