Crying Out to God in Chaotic Times

Daniel 9:1-10 A Theology of Daniel’s Prayer [Ed. Note: for the video this sermon, see here, audio here.] In a commentary on the news this week, one observer noted, “We’re living right now in a time of rapid and revolutionary cultural change in the United States, and that means not only cultural change but moral…

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Seeking the Lord in Troubled Times

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that…

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A Prayer for Spiritual Power

Paul wrapped up his instructions to the believers in Ephesus with an emphatic call for persevering prayer (Eph 6:18-21).1 Prayer was necessary for them to stand strong against the stratagems of the devil and his demonic forces (Eph 6:10-13). Without a certain kind of prayer, neither they nor Paul would be able to “walk worthy”2…

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How to Pray in Perilous Times

2 Samuel 15:31 Two hundred men of Issachar were among those who followed David when he fled from murderous King Saul. About these men, 1 Chronicles 12:32 says, “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do;” In this urgent hour in…

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Coronavirus and Prayer

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 In past pandemics in America there was an emphasis on our need for God’s intervention in our lives personally and in our nation. Today, our society is saying over…

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The Pastor’s Confidence

You are a Christian pastor. You have dedicated your life to preaching the gospel, giving men and women answers for their questions, comfort for their sorrows, hope for their fears, and wisdom for their doubts. You spend your days and years strengthening the faithful, restoring the fallen, and warning the foolish. You love the people…

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Praying for an Understanding Spirit

When you’re not sure how to pray for other Christians, you should follow the example of Paul by thanking God for them (Eph 1:15-16). You can also follow his example by asking God to give them a spirit of understanding (Eph 1:17). That is what he did when he “mentioned” them to God in prayer…

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Contradictory Prayer

In 1987 a toddler from Texas named Jessica McClure somehow fell into a narrow abandoned well. She ended up wedged in place 22 feet down with her foot up against her head. The drama of “Baby Jessica” dragged on for two days as rescue workers labored to save her. Television crews spread to story to…

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God’s Grace in the Narrow Place

Are you feeling stressed? These are difficult days. You find yourself going through times of stress (interrupted by distress). As a believer, what should you do? Turn away from your distractions for a few moments to consider the relief offered to you in Psalm 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!…

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Genuine Prayer: Fellowship

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep my words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him (John 14:23). Many different things make up genuine prayer. Usually we say that prayer is communion with God. In the next…

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