Posts Tagged ‘prayers’
Preaching and Prayer
by Dennis Allan Christianity Magazine March 1989 Considering the role of prayer in the life and work of New Testament preachers will challenge us to greater devotion and closer communion with God. The significance of prayer among early saints can be traced to Jesus, where we will focus our attention in this brief look at…
Read MoreWere the prayers in I Corinthians 11 referring to praying in an unknown tongue?
Question: Good day, Regarding I Corinthians 11:3-16, where women commanded to cover their heads while praying and prophesying. Some argue that the prayer mentioned in that verse was a miraculous activity connected with prophecy. God talked to man through the Spirit. In I Corinthians 14:14, Paul mentioned praying with an unknown tongue. “For if I…
Read MoreIs it proper to publish your prayers?
Question: Pleasant good morning, I’d appreciate some guidance, please. I have observed prayers in the comment section under news articles of tragic incidents. When tragedy strikes I could, in the privacy of my home, say a prayer for those involved, and believe that God hears my prayers. However, others are posting their prayers on Facebook pages…
Read MoreAnd Then I Prayed
by Forrest D. Moyer Sentry Magazine, March 2002 I really thought there were material things in this life that were important. I saw people living in luxurious furnishings. I saw their fine cars and their exclusive clothing. That seemed important, for a moment at least. Then I saw something else. I saw that so many…
Read MoreSongs in the Night
by Judy Chappelear Sentry Magazine, June 2002 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken … ” That scripture was taken from Acts 16:25-26. We recall that Paul…
Read MorePrayer
by Jeff Wolverton Sentry Magazine, June 2002 Prayer involves a God-man relationship: man speaking to God. In prayer, the thoughts of man are communicated to the infinite mind of God. God is the Benefactor and man the beneficiary. Prayer is indispensable in leading man from earth to heaven. Prayer involves a God-man relationship, but more…
Read MoreOn Earth, as It Is in Heaven
by Doy Moyer We pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). When we pray this, we are also praying that God’s kingdom, God’s rule, “come” not in the sense of Acts 2 or even in the sense of judgment, though both manifest His kingdom; rather, we are…
Read MoreWhat can we pray about?
Question: The Bible says to cast all our cares onto the Lord, so what are we allowed to talk to God about? A lot of times, it’s easy to pray in times of trouble or in times of need, but I realize that if I only talk to the Lord in those times I won’t…
Read MoreIs it wrong to read a prayer in worship services?
Question: Is it wrong to read a prayer in worship services? Answer: “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (I Timothy 4:13). Many of the passages of the Bible are prayers, such as Jesus’ prayer (John 17), Hannah’s prayer (I Samuel 2), Solomon’s prayer (I Kings 8:22ff),…
Read MoreThe Characteristics of Acceptable Prayer
by Jeff Wolverton Sentry Magazine, September 2002 Acceptable prayer must be preceded by faithful, righteous living. Many Christians live spiritually indolent, impure lives and expect the mouthing of a few words of prayer from time to time to make all things right between them and their Creator. Needless to say, they pray in vain. If…
Read MoreJesus and Prayer
by Jeff Wolverton Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Jesus as Our Intercessor The intercession of the Holy Spirit does not set aside the intercession of Jesus Christ. “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us…
Read MoreI Will Bless the Lord at All Times
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/I-Will-Bless-the-Lord-at-All-Times.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 34 I. We usually think about the victories of David and see his life through that lens A. He defeated Goliath B. He won amazing battles over the Philistines C. He became king over all of Israel D. But we forget how difficult David’s life was reaching that point II. The situation A. King…
Read MoreCan We Pray Ever to Jesus?
by Terry Wane Benton This question is asking us to discern whether there is a pattern in scripture so restrictive that it never allows us to say a word to our mediator (a strange restrictive pattern that allows everyone to usually talk to their mediator or advocate but not in this case) or say a…
Read MoreWith Gratitude in Our Hearts
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/With-Gratitude-In-Our-Hearts.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:12-24 Suggested song: Count Your Blessings I. The Ten Lepers – Luke 17:11-19 A. I’m sure all ten were happy to have been healed. B. Perhaps in their joy nine rushed off to tell their loved ones, but only one returned to say “thank you.” C. We get so caught…
Read MorePray BIG!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Pray-BIG.mp3 by Wilson Adams Faith Over Fear
Read MoreLord, Do You Not Care?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Lord-Do-You-Not-Care.mp3 by Wilson Adams Faith Over Fear
Read MoreTo the Glory of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/To-the-Glory-of-God.mp3 Dealing with John 11 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreCan we pray “Your kingdom come” today?
Question: As a member of the Lord’s church, I have taken the position that today, we should not pray for “Thy kingdom come” as Jesus taught his disciples on how they should pray. The reason being is because today, the kingdom has already been established (Colossians 1:13). At the present time, I have an ongoing…
Read MoreWhy Does God Delay?
by Matthew W. Bassford At some point in their lives, all Christians have to deal with the disappointment and frustration of God not answering their prayers on their timetable. They want something that is godly and good, they pray for it, and. . . nothing. Photo by Agê Barros on Unsplash When we are wrestling…
Read MoreIs it wrong to pray the Psalms?
Question: I have an urgent question that is generating heat in my congregation. This heat is created by my wife. She prays the Psalms, and I personally do not agree with her on this. But she insists that it is the word of God. I don’t agree because we are New Testament worshipers and the…
Read MoreShould we pray for the end of the COVID-19 plague?
Question: I hope this coronavirus will end soon. What should we pray for in this crisis? I believe God knows what is happening so how should we pray and what should we pray for? Answer: Prayer is the time to tell God about our desires. Consider that Jesus knew that he would die on a…
Read MoreCan you pray in your mind or with your head covered?
Question: Dear Jeffrey, I have a couple of questions about prayer. Is it OK to pray in your mind if you are someplace where it is not convenient to do so by speaking the words? Is it wrong to pray with a cap on your head (if you are a man)? Answer: When dedicating the…
Read MoreWhen Hard Times Come
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/When-Hard-Times-Come.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 1:12-14 I. Life often goes in different in directions from what we expect. A. It had long been Paul’s desire to go to Rome to preach the Gospel – Acts 19:21 B. It seemed though that something always came up which kept him from reaching his goal – Romans 1:13…
Read MoreCan we pray individual prayers together in worship?
Question: Brother Jeffrey, Please, I want to know from Scriptures about mass prayer in New Testament worship. Can we pray together, when we come together, but each one prays his or her own prayer? Thank you. Answer: Worship as a church is distinct from individual worship. In a church service, everything is done to edify those…
Read MoreWhere do prayers go?
Question: Where do all prayers go? Does God answer all prayers, even those of Muslims, Hindus, etc. although they pray to false gods? I heard from someone that the Bible says all prayers and praise reach God only. Is there scriptural evidence for this? Thanks. Answer: There is only one God. The gods of other…
Read MoreWhat do you think about rugged prayers?
Question: What do you think about aggressive prayers or rugged type of prayers? Someone told me that there are situations that demand ruggedness, such as shouting, screaming, and crying unto God in prayer and not being silent. That this is the only way to shake heaven. That your silent prayers will do not much. What…
Read MoreIf I pray but make preparations for my prayer not to be answered, is that a lack of faith?
Question: Hello, First off, I want to thank you, and those who assist you, for your awesome website and the question and answer section. It’s such a helpful resource for those who are studying God’s word and looking for guidance. I have a question: I am currently going through a situation that has the potential…
Read MoreHezekiah’s Prayer
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hezekiahs-Prayer-2019.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 38:9-20 I. Many people are familiar with Hezekiah’s prayer asking God for help against the Assyrian army, but I would like for us to take a few minutes to examine Hezekiah’s prayer of thanksgiving after he was healed of an illness II. Bitterness A. Isaiah 38:9-10 1. Hezekiah was told he…
Read MoreOn Praying to Jesus
by Nathan Ward If you haven’t yet, you will likely encounter a person who believes Christians should not pray to Jesus. The position is often accompanied by what seems like reasonable logic, at least on a surface level. We ought not to pray to Jesus, it is said, because he is our mediator — and…
Read MoreDo we experience God in a present way or only in the past tense?
Question: Good day, Is the church not to experience God in a “present way,” or does it only need to be in a past tense manner through the Bible? Thanks. Answer: I had difficulty with your question because it was worded vaguely. The meaning changes depending on how you define the terms. God is ever…
Read MoreHow can we be confident that God will answer our prayers?
Question: Hello, I have a question regarding prayer, one which I have submitted to numerous places. I’ve tried to present it in the most concise and intellectually understandable language I can think of but have received in response almost an outright refusal to acknowledge what it is I am asking. Whether it is deliberate or…
Read MoreWhy didn’t God heal my wife?
Question: Hi, I read some sermons from your website about the person who accepted Jesus, believe in him, and went to church, but he turned back to his old way and sinned again. It’s like me now. I went to Bible college with my wife about ten years ago. We came back and helped lead…
Read MoreWhy doesn’t God remove the temptation?
Question: Mr. Hamilton, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior in my early twenties. Through a re-commitment of my life, I started studying the Bible when I was in my late twenties and have continued to do so for nearly forty years. I have many Christian friends who are pastors, Bible teachers, friends, etc.,…
Read MoreRituals Don’t Cancel Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/RitualsDontCancelSin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-14 I. Men get into their minds that they need to make God listen to them A. Like a child holding his breath, they believe that if they suffer, then God will listen B. There were false religions based on self-inflicted pain to gain their god’s attention – I Kings…
Read MoreShould we pray to cover ourselves with the blood of Jesus?
Question: Is it OK, while we pray, to cover ourselves with the blood of Jesus? For example, we cover ourselves with the blood of Jesus for protection. Do you remember the Passover when a lamb’s blood was used for protection against death? In that same way, better blood that speaks more than that of a…
Read MoreIs it wrong to pray to die?
Question: I am a member of the Lord’s church, and I would like to know if it is wrong to pray to die. I have had a couple of incurable health problems for years, and I just can’t take it anymore. It has robbed me of any chance at a good life here, and I’m…
Read MoreWhat should I do to have my prayers answered the way that I pray them?
Question: What should I do to have my prayers answered the way that I pray them? Answer: I think the hardest thing to remember about prayer is that sometimes the answer is “no”. We have the ability to ask for far too much and a father cannot always grant everything that a child could want.…
Read MoreShould I just give up asking God for things?
Question: Hi. I hope things are well with you. I was thinking about something. I have been suffering from a chronic stomach illness since I was 16. I prayed endlessly for healing but never received any. Now I am 20, and in addition to my disease, I now have chronic back pain. Of course, I…
Read MoreShould I ask God to give my daughter all my blessings?
Question: Good morning. I’m struggling with the thought of how to pray for a blessing. My daughter is in university, and she has for many years had a struggle with confidence. She is really smart but doesn’t believe in herself. In some of the classes, she is barely passing, though she has a B, which…
Read MoreJesus said we can pray for anything, so why can’t we pray for salvation?
Question: Can we accept as a general statement the following: “You are saved through the blood of Jesus, and through His blood only. Because your salvation is not based on your performance, it is based on what Jesus did 2000 years ago on the cross”? I also would like to bring up Matthew 19:25-26 and…
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