Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 1:15-16

Many people find it hard to pray regularly, which is unfortunate because prayer is among the most powerful tools for advancing the kingdom of God. If you find it hard to pray regularly or are easily distracted when going before ...Read More

Prayer and Peace

Philippians 4:5b–7

Matthew Henry comments, “When anything burdens our spirits, we must ease our minds by prayer; when our affairs are perplexed or distressed, we must seek direction and support.” A consistent prayer life increases our peace about the Lord’s sovereign ...Read More

Prayer for Boldness

Ephesians 6:19–20

Again we note that, just as in Colossians, Paul does not request in today’s passage to be released from prison but for more ministry opportunities (Col. 4:3–4). This is a model for us. It is, of course ...Read More

Praying for the Mission

Colossians 4:2-4

Praying for other Christians is also a way to manifest our love for them, as true love for Paul would motivate the Colossians to intercede for the apostle. John Calvin says that “it is not in vain that the Lord ...Read More

Praying in Faith

James 1:5–8

Many people today believe that Jesus promises them a high-paying job, a big house, health, and other physical blessings. They presume upon God’s grace, naming and claiming such things as their own. Yet while we may certainly ask for ...Read More

Praying Without Preaching

Matthew 6:5–8

We pray “not to inform God or instruct him but to beseech him closely, to be made intimate with him, by continuance in supplication; to be humbled; to be reminded of our sins” (John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of ...Read More

Pride and Prayer

2 Chronicles 26:16–23

We are always to be humble servants of the Lord, coming before Him in prayer boldly (Heb. 10:19–22) not on account of what we have done but knowing that such access has been to granted to us in ...Read More

Providence and Prayer

James 5:16b–18

Divine providence should not hinder prayer. Instead it should make us eager to intercede for ourselves and others, because we know God makes use of our prayers to accomplish His will. Consider this example: If my wife is ill, how ...Read More

Psalms

Psalm 51

Do you truly realize the importance of prayer, or do you think that you can be wise without a deep and consistent prayer life? Take some time to consider the importance of prayer and how you can make it a ...Read More

Rejecting Kingdoms of This World

Spend some time in prayer today for your city, state, and nation.Read More

Righteous Prayer

James 5:16–18

In 4:4, James warns us against seeking friendship with the world partly because friendship with the world produces ineffectual prayer (vv. 1–3). Instead, we must be friends of God. Elijah was such a friend of God that he ...Read More

Snapshot of the Early Church

Acts 2:42–3:26

Here are four dimensions of the church. The early believers were excited about and practiced all four, and the leaders responded to their excitement. How does your church measure up in these four dimensions? What can you do, without being ...Read More

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20

John Calvin comments on this passage, reminding us that we should not let the “injurious treatment” of others provoke us to revenge, for those who bother us are merely darts from Satan’s hand. “While we are employed in destroying ...Read More

The Confidence We Have

1 John 5:14–15

God’s will is always accomplished, and we must remember that our prayers are meaningfully used by God to bring about His purposes. God has decided to use us to accomplish His ordained ends, and this privilege should move us ...Read More

The Disciples’ Prayer

Matthew 6:9–15

Lack of forgiveness, we learn in today’s passage, may prove a lack of faith. No matter how hard it may be to forgive others, we simply cannot call ourselves followers of Christ if we do not forgive those who ...Read More