How do we pray for spiritual renewal in our communities? There is a link between the renewal of the individual and community-wide transformation we often dream of in revival type situations. Here is a prayer that joins the two together… Dear Father, I know that salvation belongs to you and so I pray for the awakening and enlightening of hearts in ever expanding circles from: … Continue reading A prayer for spiritual renewal
Here are a few reasons why I journal almost every day. 1. It slows me down2. It helps me to think more clearly about the Bible3. It helps me to pray in light of what I have just read.4. It helps me to be more honest about the inner motivations of my heart.5. It works as a gauge for reading the inner health of my … Continue reading Why I Journal
Today, as part of my prayer time, I used ‘The Valley of Vision’, a wonderful book of reformed prayers. In it I read and prayed these words: “Thou art all my good in times peace, my only support in days of trouble, my one sufficiency when life shall end. Help me to see how good thy will is in all, and even when it … Continue reading God’s good and perfect will
“A person with hope does not get tangled up with concerns for how his wishes will be fulfilled. So, too, his prayer is not directed toward the gift, but toward the one who gives it. His prayer might still contain just as many desires, but ultimately it is not a question of having a wish come true but of expressing an unlimited faith is the … Continue reading The Prayer of Hope
A couple of days ago I started reading ‘Serious Times‘ by James Emergy White. I should have read this book years ago but it sat languishing on my shelf. I’m so glad I have finally got round to reading it as it is a really thought-provoking and challenging book. The following quote, on the nature of prayer, was especially helpful: Prayer is not … Continue reading Prayer is Relationship in Action
I’m currently re-reading Tim Keller’s excellent book on prayer. When you end up underlining a whole page in a book, it is a pretty good indication that the author has nailed something! That happened to me on page 20. Listen to what Tim Keller had to say about the Apostle Paul’s Prayers: It is remarkable that in all of his writings Paul’s prayers for his … Continue reading Praying like the Apostle Paul
I’m just starting to re-read Tim Keller’s Book on Prayerand was amazed (again) and the challenging and beautifully written quote from Flannery O’Connor on page 11: “Dear God, I cannot love Thee the way I want to. You are the slim crescent of the moon that I see and mt self is the earth’s shadow that keeps me from seeing all of the moon … … Continue reading Prayer when preoccupied with self
Yesterday, as part of our Exodus series, I wrote the following simple prayer/creed: “Christ is our spotless Passover lamb, Christ is our salvific red sea crossing, Christ is our eternal promised land, Christ is our great redeemer!” Continue reading Christ is our …
There is wonderful prayer from Eugene Peterson, to pray at the start of today. It is based upon Psalm 126:6 “those that go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” Prayer: Let the rain of your Spirit fall on the dry soil of my heart, O God. Bring to blossom the seeds which have … Continue reading Restore, revive, replenish…
This morning I read and prayed a prayer from The Valley of Vision, called Earth & Heaven. The middle section struct me so powerfully: My spiritual longings are of thy planting, and thou wilt water and increase them; Quicken my hunger and thirst after the realm above. Here I can have the world, there I shall have thee in Christ; Here is a life … Continue reading My spiritual longings are of they planting…
