Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: Prayer
Charles Stanley (March 19, 2024) Daily Devotional: The Price of Prayerlessness.
God invites you to bring your burdens to Him every day.
Isaiah 40:28-31 - Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
God wants us to talk with Him, and Matthew 7:7-8 is an invitation to speak with Him about anything. Jesus said if we have a need, we’re to ask; if we seek answers, we’ll find them; if we want opportunities to open up, He will respond when we knock. Even so, many of us don’t spend as much time in prayer as we should.
Forsaking prayer can be costly. If we don’t spend time with the Lord, we might find ourselves on a slippery slope, sliding through weariness, discouragement, and doubt. Today let’s look at the first of these. Tomorrow we can examine the other two.
Certain situations take an emotional, physical, and/or spiritual toll—we call these burdens. They can wear us out if we attempt to endure them alone. But God doesn’t intend for that weight to fall on our shoulders. In fact, the Bible tells us to cast those loads on the Lord, who sustains us and “daily bears our burden” (Psalm 55:22 - Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.; Psalm 68:19 - Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah).
Hauling all our worries and cares around is exhausting because we are not built for such loads. In God’s design, His strength fills the believer to capacity. Picture Jesus’ shoulders just above your own—with Him bearing your problems. The burden may not disappear, but it feels blessedly lighter when you hand it over to the Lord.
John MacArthur (March-19-2024) Daily Devotional: Forsaking Self-Centered Prayer
"Thy kingdom come" (Matt. 6:10).
Relinquish your will to Christ’s sovereign rule.
Attempting to explain all that is involved in the phrase "Thy kingdom come" is like a child standing on a beach attempting to scoop the entire ocean into a little pail. Only in eternity will we grasp all that it encompasses, but the poem "His Coming to Glory" by the nineteenth-century hymnwriter Frances Havergal captures its essence:
Oh the joy to see Thee reigning,
Thee, my own beloved Lord!
Every tongue Thy name confessing,
Worship, honor, glory, blessing
Brought to Thee with glad accord;
Thee, my Master and my Friend,
Vindicated and enthroned;
Unto earth's remotest end
Glorified, adored, and owned.
Psalm 2:6-8 reflects the Father's joy on that great day: "I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain. I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord; He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Thy possession." God will give the kingdoms of the world to His Son, who will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16).
With that promise in mind, beware seeing prayer primarily as an opportunity to inform God of your own plans and to seek His help in fulfilling them. Instead, pray "Thy kingdom come," which is a request for Christ to reign. In its fullest sense it is an affirmation that you are willing to relinquish the rule of your own life so the Holy Spirit can use you to promote the kingdom in whatever way He chooses.
That kind of prayer can be difficult because we tend to be preoccupied with ourselves. But concentrate on conforming your prayers to God's purposes. Then you will be assured that you are praying according to His will.
Suggestions for Prayer
- Praise God for the hope of Christ's future reign on earth.
- Ask Him to use you today as a representative of His kingdom.
For Further Study
- According to Ephesians 4:17-5:5, how should citizens of Christ's kingdom behave?
Watch Kenneth Copeland: Prayer Is a Vital Part of the Christian Life. The Holy Spirit prays God’s will for you! Watch Kenneth Copeland on /Believer’s Voice of Victory/ as he explains the different gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Learn why prayer is such a vital part of the Christian life and how—with the Holy Spirit—you don’t have to go it alone!
Christian Motivation - These Thing Stops Your Prayer From Being Answered // Prayer Secrets.
This is Why You Need To Read The Bible!
This is Why You Need To Read The Bible!
Why do you need the word of God In Prayer.
Joel Osteen Daily Devotional (March 18, 2024) Healthy Prayers.
Today's Scripture: You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. - James 4:2–3, NKJV
Today's Word: in today’s Scripture, the word “amiss” means “sick, weak, miserable.” This is saying, “You won’t receive when you pray sick prayers, when you pray weak prayers.” When we pray out of selfish motives or just to make it through, that’s a sick prayer. “God, I’m so defeated. Please do something.” That prayer needs to go to Urgent Care; that prayer is on its last leg. Try a different approach; try a bold prayer. “God, there’s a lot coming against me, but I know nothing is too big for You. Thank You that the blessings You have for me are so great they will overflow to those around me.” That’s a healthy prayer. That gets God’s attention. He responds to faith-filled prayers.
Are you praying bold prayers? Are you asking God to turn situations around that look impossible? How many miracles are you missing because you’re not asking? Dare to ask, not just for your needs, but for others to be blessed through you. Ask for the big things God’s put in your heart. He’s longing to be good to you.
Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You that You want to do great things in my life so that Your greatness will be displayed. Help me to pray bold prayers that release Your favor to open new doors and bless others. I declare that I am going to ask You for everything You have put in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Tim Dilena - Watch Sermon: Because You Prayed | Demon Prayers and Fever Prayers. In “Demon Prayers and Fever Prayers” Pastor Tim Dilena urges believers to recognize the profound cost God paid for our access to prayer through Jesus' sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of praying about everything and never limiting God's power through prayerlessness.
Watch Kenneth Copeland: How To Access the Power of God Through Prayer. Be strong in The LORD and in the power of His might! Join Kenneth Copeland on /Believer’s Voice of Victory/ as he reveals how to access the power of God through prayer. Learn how to stand on God’s WORD and hold your ground so you can receive the resurrecting power of His Spirit!
Watch Kenneth Copeland - Prayer That Receives Answers From God. Pray always in the Holy Spirit! Watch /Believer’s Voice of Victory/ as Kenneth Copeland shares all about prayer that receives answers from God. Learn more about your Helper—an Intercessor—who will lead you into effective prayer!