Category Archives: prayer
Broken Prayers From the Edge
I lock the doors. Close the curtains. And let God have it. I clinch my fists in a maddening rage as my hands tremble violently. Within moments, my fingers ache from the intense, white-knuckle tightness. And my forearms cramp up. The blood rushes to my head. And my eyes burn and burn and burn from the [...]
Old Prayers That Penetrate Deep
O Lord, Lover of men, who forgivest us our sins; Cleanse us of all that is base or selfish, and make us to be in all things thy servants, and the messengers of thy love. Amen. Grant, O Lord, that we may meet all difficulties and temptations with a stedfast heart, in the strength of [...]
A Puppet, or Your Sovereign Prince?
One day in one of the villages there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus he fell down before him in prayer and said, “If you want to, you can cleanse me.” –Luke 5:12, The Message This man, an infectious leper, approaches Jesus. The Lord looking at him (most people would avert their [...]
Here I Am, Once Again…And Again
O Lord here I am again Just plain old me, coming to you As I’ve come a thousand times– And this is what always happens: Your response is immediate You open your arms unhesitantly You draw me to yourself You clasp me to your father-heart Then reaffirm my position: I am a child of [...]
Thy Mercy Beams I See
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies By: Charles Wesley Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true and only light, Sun of righteousness, arise, Triumph over the shades of night; Dayspring from on high, be near; Daystar, in my heart appear. Dark and cheerless is the morn Unaccompanied by thee; Joyless is the day’s [...]
The Fishbowl and Your Pastor
Having been a senior pastor for three years, and in full-time ministry 20+ years, I have had to adjust to the constant surveillance of my life and my families. To be so visible, was wearying and maybe even demeaning at times. I was constantly “center-stage.” It’s funny but these two ingredients– the fishbowl and my Pastor’s [...]
Shut the Door, Please
“When you pray, go into a room alone and shut the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you.” Matthew 6:6, CEV “We are to be shut out from men, and shut in with God.” Andrew Murray Prayer is a deep and awesome thing. [...]
Praying Authentically
Sometimes I think they may be right, we seldom venture into the lands of reality. Prayer often can be just a nice religious duty, that makes us feel warm and fuzzy. But the spiritual climate does not suit a comfortable sojourn. We artistically and theologically play on the periphery and cleverly deceive others and ourselves. But Jesus insists [...]
A Pain That Can Be Healed
I’ve had several experiences with His presence. These are quite astonishing, and I really can’t minimize any of them. What the Father gives, I certainly accept. #1, We were at language school, and broke. We had nothing extra to spend. My son, Benjamin came down with a fever. It was a formidable one. It was a 103 [...]