Prayer

Some even teach that praying with real faith is telling God what you want, when you want it, and that you will not take no for an answer. So…is praying, “Your will be done,” a cop-out? Let’s learn from Jesus. 

For those who follow hard after Christ, things are (or should be) different. It really is not about us. Really, it’s not. Our lives should be like a mirror—not absorbing but reflecting the glory of God.

The writer of Hebrews describes God as a “consuming fire.” What does he mean by that?

Far too many Christians today are all about wanting the awe. They just don’t have much interest in the Scripture, fellowship, communion, and prayer part. Today’s passage reminds us that God leads us to awe…through the basic disciplines of the faith. 

No wonder the people were filled with awe and praised God! You’d have praised God right along with them had you been part of the crowd. But wait ... you are a part of that crowd today. So don’t get stuck in thinking God's praiseworthy power and authority is limited to physical healing.

Big decisions call for big times of conversation with God. Many disciples were following Jesus, but he needed to reduce the number. He desired to pour into those who would pour into others and pour themselves out with lives of sacrifice. He chose twelve to teach, train, and mentor.

Every believer needs a time of refreshment. The journey is long with many uphill climbs. Like the psalmist says, our soul thirsts for God “as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1). There are days when we need renewal.

Why don’t people spend more time talking with God? Why don’t I spend more time talking with God? We can all give our excuses, but at the end of the day, we must make time to speak and listen to our heavenly Father. Jesus made this his priority early in the morning. 

Years ago, I spoke at a Missions Conference and a missionary there gave me a guide for prayer that ended with—listening. For years I kept that guide in my Bible. So simple, yet such a great reminder that meaningful conversation is both speaking and listening. We are taught that in the Old Testament.