Prayer Matters Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle version is available to download in english. Read online anytime anywhere directly from your device. Click on the download button below to get a free pdf file of Prayer Matters book. This book definitely worth reading, it is an incredibly well-written.
Have you ever wondered how prayer works? Have you ever wished you were better at praying? Have you ever been at a loss for words to pray? This is not a book that attempts to answer all your questions on prayer. On the contrary, the author acknowledges upfront that prayer is a mystery for which there is no magic formula. There are Biblical principles that teach much about prayer, and God's spiritual spokespersons have offered insight. But God is God, and prayer is in the realm of His unfathomable ways and workings. Rather, this is a book that invites you to come alongside the author and delve into the practice of prayer. It contains reflections on varied prayer matters that are based on exploring principles about prayer and trying various ways to pray. It is the fruit of the author's entreating God to teach her to pray. Since much of this entreating occurred while walking with her son through his cancer battle and now as she grieves his passing, the author's insights are presented as one questioning pilgrim desiring to help another. The book's premise is that we do not have to understand prayer to pray. We learn to pray by praying. The more we pray, the more natural praying therefore becomes. Hence, suggestions and tools are offered to facilitate praying. Whether you are relatively experienced with prayer, brand new, or somewhere in between, you are invited to ponder these prayer matters and to implement those suggestions for "doing prayer" that appeal to you. Because, ultimately, while we may not know the intricate workings of prayer this side of Heaven, one thing we do know is... Prayer Matters!
When I read the book of Acts, I am embarrassed. Why does our brand of Christianity look so insipid compared to the believers of the first century? Where has the power gone? Has God changed, or have we? We've all heard the cop-out that says, "The book of Acts represents a different dispensation." What a sad, self-serving attempt to excuse our current state of spiritual impotence! When we read Acts, we should yearn to experience a return to their brand of Christianity. Yet, instead of copying them, we seem content with copying other modern churches that are "growing." But why copy a copy when you can copy the original (the book of Acts)? In Acts, God was saving people every day. Communities were transformed. People were healed. Demons were cast out. Miracles were commonplace. Churches sprouted up across the Roman Empire. Persecution was faced and overcome. What made them so different? Some say they preached a purer Gospel. I disagree. Modern Evangelicals preach the same Gospel that was proclaimed in the first century. We preach that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died an atoning death, and rose bodily from the grave. We preach that man is a sinner and stands guilty before God in need of salvation. We preach that God offers salvation by grace, through faith, in Jesus Christ alone, and the moment anyone repents of his sin, puts his faith in Jesus, and calls upon His name, that person is born again. That's the Gospel they preached, and the Gospel we preach. Our lack of spiritual power in Christianity today is not due to the sermons we preach or the songs we sing. Rather, it is due to our lack of prayer. We do not pray like it matters. Jesus and His earliest followers prayed like it was important. We pray like it is inconvenient or inconsequential. Prayer was their priority. It is our postscript. We plan more than we pray. They prayed more than they planned. We gather to minister to one another. They gathered to minister to the Lord in prayer and fasting. Our focus is earthly, horizontal. Theirs was heavenly, vertical. They were wise enough to "pray the price." All of this is why I have written this 12-week Bible study entitled Pray Like It Matters. I want to demonstrate from Scripture that every prayer we pray is significant. Through our prayers, God changes things. One life dedicated to prayer can do more good than any life dedicated to other so-called "noble," worldly causes. An individual follower of Jesus who is committed to prayer is a fountain of life in a world of death. Likewise, the local church that becomes a house of prayer will be a spiritual powerhouse from which God's mighty miracles will flow exponentially. Prayer is what modern Christians and churches are missing--frequent, fervent, faithful prayer! Most Christians want to pray but don't know how. They are unable to carry on a simple, sustained, satisfying conversation with God. Thus, after a few minutes in prayer, they run out of things to say, get frustrated, and give up. Sound familiar? Just as infants must be taught to talk, Christians must be taught to pray. Once you know how, prayer will be fulfilling, refreshing, and even fun. A growing number of Christians today are aware that something must be wrong. They know there has to be "more" to the Christian life than what they have experienced. That "more" is found through the discipline of prayer. These lessons are a wakeup call for each individual, family, and church to become a "house of prayer." When we begin to pray like Jesus and His early followers, then we will witness the power they experienced. Today, we embark on what could be the greatest adventure of your life. Before we start, let's pray the prayer of the early disciples: "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1).
In this searing meditation on the bonds of family and the allure of extremist faith, one of today’s most celebrated Christian writers recounts his unexpected journey from a strict fundamentalist upbringing to a life of compassion and grace—a revelatory memoir that “invites comparison to Hillbilly Elegy” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). “Searing, heartrending . . . This stunning tale reminds us that the only way to keep living is to ask God for the impossible: love, forgiveness, and hope.”—Kate Bowler, New York Times bestselling author of Everything Happens for a Reason Raised by an impoverished widow who earned room and board as a Bible teacher in 1950s Atlanta, Philip Yancey and his brother, Marshall, found ways to venture out beyond the confines of their eight-foot-wide trailer. But when Yancey was in college, he uncovered a shocking secret about his father’s death—a secret that began to illuminate the motivations that drove his mother to extreme, often hostile religious convictions and a belief that her sons had been ordained for a divine cause. Searching for answers, Yancey dives into his family origins, taking us on an evocative journey from the backwoods of the Bible Belt to the bustling streets of Philadelphia; from trailer parks to church sanctuaries; from family oddballs to fire-and-brimstone preachers and childhood awakenings through nature, music, and literature. In time, the weight of religious and family pressure sent both sons on opposite paths—one toward healing from the impact of what he calls a “toxic faith,” the other into a self-destructive spiral. Where the Light Fell is a gripping family narrative set against a turbulent time in post–World War II America, shaped by the collision of Southern fundamentalism with the mounting pressures of the civil rights movement and Sixties-era forces of social change. In piecing together his fragmented personal history and his search for redemption, Yancey gives testament to the enduring power of our hunger for truth and the possibility of faith rooted in grace instead of fear. “I truly believe this is the one book I was put on earth to write,” says Yancey. “So many of the strands from my childhood—racial hostility, political division, culture wars—have resurfaced in modern form. Looking back points me forward.”
These devotionals were written during the weariest, most difficult days of my life. As the song says, "Life is hard, but God is good." Some of these devotionals are synopses of sermons I have preached over the years. Others are simple thoughts I have entertained and enjoyed as I reviewed and meditated upon various Scripture Memory verses. There is at least one devotional based on a text from every book of the Bible. The reader will find almost as many entries written from Old Testament texts as from the New Testament. This book has been demanding, but it has also been a labor of love. A great missionary once said, "I'm just a beggar, telling other beggars where to find bread." That is exactly how I feel as I share this work with you. I am on the way to heaven and offering hope to others on the journey. May these devotionals bless your heart, feed your soul, and nourish your thoughts. Jesus has set a table for two. He invites you to dine with Him (Revelation 3:20). Pull away, weary pilgrim. Hunger no longer. His morning manna awaits you. "O taste and see the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). As they say at the Mexican restaurant, "Enjoy "
"God, I need you to do something in my children!" Have those words found their way into your desperate prayers? Do you feel helpless to know how to equip your children for this world and all it throws at them? If so, you're not alone. When Brooke McGlothlin realized her best efforts were falling woefully short of her goal to produce godly children, she discovered the joy and power of praying Scripture over her family. Her life and her children's lives were transformed. Yours can be too. Complete with prayers for specific situations, this encouraging book is perfect for times when you · feel too busy to pray, · don't know what or how to pray, · don't know if your prayers really matter. Nothing is more powerful and faith-building than praying God's Word for those you love. Become a mom full of hope in the God who can, even if you can't. "Praying Mom is the prayer mentor you've always wanted from a mom who absolutely lives this message on her knees."--STACEY THACKER, author of Threadbare Prayer
The beautiful words of The Lord’s Prayer come to life with gorgeous illustrations by Richard Jesse Watson in this partner picture book to Psalm 23. Bestselling illustrator Richard Jesse Watson brings to life the iconic The Lord’s Prayer. Watson’s use of vibrant color and detailed imagery beautifully capture the essence of the loving words of Our Lord as he teaches us to pray to his Father and brings the King James Version of this prayer alive for readers young and old. The Lord’s Prayer: Features the psalm from the traditional King James Version of the Holy Bible Perfect for gift giving Stunning front cover with foil accents and embossing
Lead with Prayer by Ryan Skoog,Peter Greer,Cameron Doolittle Pdf
Discover the prayer habits of world-changing ministry leaders that will transform your life and your leadership. Experienced leaders will tell you that you can’t lead on your own. The pressure, the impossible decisions, the high risks, the temptations, the people, the overwhelming schedule—it’s too much. Some leaders seek outside help. They pray. Looking for help in their own leadership, entrepreneur Ryan Skoog, CEO Peter Greer, and executive advisor Cameron Doolittle set out to investigate how leaders pray. What do they say to God? How often do they pray, and for how long? Where do they pray? And how on earth do they make time for prayer? Skoog, Greer, and Doolittle spent three years researching. They logged over one hundred hours of interviews with leaders in six continents who collectively serve in over one hundred countries. They researched or spoke with global entrepreneurs and business executives of Fortune 500 companies, as well as some of the most influential pastors and ministry leaders in the world—leaders such as Joni Eareckson Tada Francis Chan John Mark Comer Christine Caine David Green Mark Batterson Among countless others. Here in this book, the authors share the spiritual habits, techniques, and practices of these world-changing leaders, revealing specific details of their prayer lives. In addition, the book includes prayers for leaders to use in their own prayer time as well as tools for how to cultivate a personal and organizational commitment to prayer. By allowing these men and women to lead us in prayer, we learn not only how to pray but also how to build a culture of prayer wherever we lead. It is only when our businesses, ministries, and churches pray that they will be transformed.
What matters most to you? Money? Fame? Looks? Pleasure? Sports? Reading? Our lives are so often filled with things that aren't important in the overall scheme of things, that it is often difficult to discern what is vital and what is, well, trivial. Life is a gift from God; therefore, it is valuable and behooves every one of us to consider carefully how we will spend it and to what end. After over forty years of ministry, Rev. James Osborn has decided that there are some things that really matter and some things that don't. Osborn believes that once conceived and born into our world, every one of us is immortal. We will live forever in eternity, and we need to realize that most things in life won't matter in eternity. Dive into These Things Matter and discover the eternal importance of character, prayer, obedience, and many more. James Osborn is a retired pastor, but still serves as the senior adult Sunday school teacher at Liberty Baptist Church. He spent more than forty years as the pastor of various churches in Maryland as well as working For The Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and MasterLife. James currently lives in Westminster, Maryland.
Stained Glass Heartsreminds us just how brightly the light of God can shine even amidst our darkest moments, uncovering the promise and possibility of redemption and transformation. Comparing people to stained glass windows, Patsy Clairmont explains the power of God to restore and redeem that which seems devastated beyond repair, and she does so with the quick wit and deep insight of someone who has been there. And back. Themes of art and creativity are woven together with stories from Patsy’s own life. And special features include quotes, suggested scripture readings, sample prayers, and recommended music. With candor tempered by wind-whipped wisdom, Patsy provides a new lens through which to view our lives. Stained Glass Hearts is a perspective that gives us the chance to see our potential for color, sparkle, and great purpose through the grace of God.
Prayers to guide your journey of raising kids in a complicated world. In an age of distraction and overwhelm, finding the words to meaningfully pray for our children--and for our journey as parents--can feel impossible. Written with warmth and welcome, To Light Their Way gives voice to your prayers when words won't come. Filled with more than 100 modern liturgies, this book guides you into an intentional conversation with God for your children and the world they live in. From everyday struggles like helping your child find friends or thrive in school to larger issues like praying for a brighter world rooted in peace and truth, these pleas and petitions act as a gentle guide, reminding us that while our words may fail, God never does. At the core of To Light Their Way is the deepest of prayers: that our children will experience the love of God so deeply that their lives will be an outpouring of love that lights up the world.
Written by the best selling author of Where the Hell Is God?, this accessible volume is for everyone who wonders how to pray, everyone who wonders what happens when you pray, and everyone who wonders if God hears our prayers.
The Pursuit of Holistic Holiness by Daniel Spurgeon Tankersley Pdf
The greatest pursuit in life is holiness. Without holiness, “no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). Unfortunately, individuals, churches, even entire denominations often practice distorted spiritual formation. As a result, spiritual growth is hindered, personal witness is damaged, the Great Commission is inhibited, and God is dishonored. The solution to distorted spiritual formation is a holistic approach, centered on the Great Commandment. The Pursuit of Holistic Holiness provides a biblical theology of spiritual formation, identifies pitfalls of imbalanced spiritual growth, and offers practical solutions to help Christians recognize and overcome deficiencies in the transformation process. Whatever your spiritual maturity level, this book will facilitate your path forward. The pursuit of holistic holiness has the potential to spark a reformation in the Church!
The Potential and Power of Prayer by Chuck Lawless Pdf
Why is it a struggle to pray? Respected professor, speaker, and pastor Dr. Chuck Lawless explores the power of a praying church and how it can transform your ministry. Through prayer, we have access to the all-powerful living God. Even so, too many of us are tempted to start our days prayerless and feeling alone. How can this be? We can’t afford to be so negligent, because whether we realize it or not we all face a high-stakes spiritual battle when we step out into our communities. In The Potential and Power of Prayer, Chuck Lawless illustrates how churches need to take prayer seriously in order to grow; explores how Jesus and the early church depended on God through prayer; explains how prayer is essential to preparing for spiritual battles; and guides church leaders in establishing the priority of prayer and a thriving prayer ministry in their churches. God chooses to move among Christians who humbly come to him in prayer; who depend on him for strength and guidance.
Serving in Your Church Prayer Ministry by Charles E. Lawless Pdf
This compact prayer manual shows how to build and participate in a praying church and includes stories and examples from a cross section of churches, evaluation charts, and discussion questions so both church staff and lay leaders can use it individually or in group settings.
Prayer and Planning for the Big Day by Jill Marie Kelly,Erin Kelly Pdf
The weeks after the engagement and before the “I do” may be some of the most beautiful—and worrisome—days of your life, whether you are the bride or her mother. While you make decisions about flowers and food, bridesmaids and boutonnieres, you may also experience challenges, insecurities, hopes, and fears that can only be conquered with one thing: prayer. Prayer and Planning for the Big Day is a distinctive collection of wedding prayers and practical tips a bride and her mother can share as they tackle the daunting task of preparing for a wedding and marriage. New York Times bestselling authors Jill Kelly and her daughter Erin offer 40 sincere and vulnerable prayers covering topics such as trust, forgiveness, communication, character, sex, protection and provision . Each prayer is combined with an essential wedding tip that allows you both to apply your prayer petitions to your planning activities. As you share your prayers together or jot them in your Mother & Daughter Prayer Journal, you will experience the life-changing love of a God who sustains you through one of the most exciting and hectic seasons of your life.