God Said No. What Now?

When I was in Bible college, every Monday in chapel would bring a round of “Works of God Testimonies,” when our president would encourage students and faculty to share brief, specific, God-glorifying testimonies of how we’d seen prayers answered in the recent past. Over four years, I heard testimonies of debts repaid, hard hearts softened, … Continue reading God Said No. What Now? →

Pray for the Shepherd, Pray for the Sheep

Near the end of his “brief exhortation,” the writer of Hebrews addresses the sheep/shepherd relationship, telling the flock how they ought to relate to their shepherd and why. Though other passages could add to this list, Hebrews 13:17 gives an excellent prayer guide on how to intercede not only for pastors, but for the rest … Continue reading Pray for the Shepherd, Pray for the Sheep →

Don’t Stop Praying

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.” The book of Judges closes with these haunting words, a fitting summary of the final four chapters of the book, which give a picture of what it looks like when people do “whatever seems right” to them. And if … Continue reading Don’t Stop Praying →

Let’s Turn Pride Month into Prayer Month

It’s upon us once again: 30 days of unremitting, unapologetic, rainbow-banner-waving support for the LGBTQ+ movement. While I admit that I’d much rather bury my head in the sand and ignore this aggressive campaign, I’m convinced that we followers of Christ must launch a campaign of our own. I’m not talking about petitions, protests, or … Continue reading Let’s Turn Pride Month into Prayer Month →

How Am I Supposed to Pray When I Don’t Feel Grateful?

Feelings of ingratitude are bound to trap us at some point during this holiday season. An unpleasant memory, another snow storm, the stress of holiday shopping, the pressure of preparing the perfect holiday meal, tensions between family members, bickering between siblings, an undercooked or overcooked turkey, pies eaten by a mischievous puppy, or any other … Continue reading How Am I Supposed to Pray When I Don’t Feel Grateful? →

Praying Psalm 27 in Suffering

Every so often a church experiences a wave of suffering among its members. The prayer requests hurt even and leave us stammering in prayer. Such has been the case recently in the church I attend. An undiagnosed, debilitating blood disease, a brain bleed, an eating disorder, and the unforeseen death of a loved one have … Continue reading Praying Psalm 27 in Suffering →

Discouraged? Think About Harps and Bowls

And in despair I bowed my head:“There is no peace on earth,” I said,“For hate is strong and mocks the songOf peace on earth, good will to men.” Though the bells of Christmas have long since ceased their ringing for the year, perhaps you can relate to this stanza written by American poet Henry Wadsworth … Continue reading Discouraged? Think About Harps and Bowls →

Prayer Requests for a Heart on Life Support

Prodigal. The dictionary knows that word as an adjective, meaning “lavish” or “wastefully extravagant”; however, the church has appropriated it as a noun, a person who has left the faith of their youth. The more modern terminology knows this person as one who has “de-converted” or “deconstructed” their faith. If you’re anything like me, many … Continue reading Prayer Requests for a Heart on Life Support →

3 Unthievable Treasures

I love a good heist movie, in which, without firing a shot or even carrying a gun, thieves break into some supposedly impenetrable vault and get away with millions of dollars. It’s not that I celebrate grand larceny, but I do appreciate the genius behind the capers. In every case, the thieves successfully pocket a … Continue reading 3 Unthievable Treasures →

Pray Attention

The grizzled, weather-worn football coach rose from his desk in the Driver’s Ed. classroom. He was about to impart knowledge. Maybe he was going give us the secret to passing our exam on the first try. Maybe he was going to let us go early. Maybe he was going to share his game plan for … Continue reading Pray Attention →