What does it mean to “engage culture?” Certainly it does not mean the church has any intention of wedding itself to the worldly culture around it. On the contrary, the word “engage” has many other meanings, two of which are practical in this discussion.
If the prayer of penitence is most important to our soul, then the prayer of praise is most important for our heart. If the prayer of penitence is hardest on the ego, then the prayer of praise restores one’s self-worth.
It’s been said that “we are only human.” In our world it reminds us of our limits, our inabilities, our sinfulness. Before the fall, however, the phrase “only human” would never had been uttered. Humanity was the “very good” of all creation, a being whose capacities seemed expansive rather than limited
Luke 10 records an exercise Jesus gave to 72 of his followers. He sent them out in pairs to prepare the surrounding towns for his arrival, giving each person the ability to heal the sick and exorcise demons. He gave them a short list of instructions, including that they were to take no food or money on their journey.
Today American Muslim’s celebrate the birth of their prophet, Muhammad. Some celebrate by fasting, others by feasting and many by special prayers and commemorations. Like Christians, Muslims do not know the exact date of their leader’s birth (circa 570 AD), but the occasion is intended to praise his life and message.
A life marked by prayer would be incomplete without the prayer of preparation. After confession and the forms of prayer for immediate concerns, this form focuses on the future. Throughout first and second Samuel we see David asking the Lord if he will be victorious before undertaking a battle or chase.
Every moment of every day there are as many reasons for prayer as there are people on the planet. What are some of your reasons for prayer? How often do these reasons stimulate you to prayer? The answer to these questions will provide you with an insight to the quality of your relationship with God.
Yesterday we talked about the faith-less and the faith-walker. Today we are going to discover what kind of faith-walker you are.
Among those with faith, I believe there are three kinds of Christians.
Whenever I travel to guest speak I spend time in the prayer of preparation, asking the Lord to prepare me as a messenger of His Word. At the beginning of each session I always open in a word of prayer and similarly close each session in prayer. It isn’t anything that most pastors and Christian speakers wouldn’t do, and it is entirely expected.
In the 17th chapter of the gospel of John we find Jesus praying in the garden shortly before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. This is the last time he will be with his disciples, and he takes the opportunity to petition the Father on their behalf. Take a moment, read through the passage, notice how specific he is.
Some readers of last week’s article, The 72, let me know that they thought I was belittling the importance of reading the Bible and of prayer in favor of experiences. Certainly this was not my intention. In fact, daily time with God in both His word and in prayer is foundational in our relationship with God.
As some of you know one of my favorite vacation spots is Lake Powell. My friend Doug and I were introduced to boating on the same trip back in 1994. Doug was attending a singles retreat at Powell and I was a speaker for the event.