Praying for the Advance of the Gospel
Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly. (v. 1 NIV) When I was a young pastor, I occasionally had the opportunity to serve as chaplain at Cran Hill Ranch in Michigan. I remember we would often gather around the campfire with the kids […]
Praying for Abounding Love
Read: Philippians 1:3-11 It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment. (v. 9) Back in 1965, pop singer Jackie DeShannon sang the song, “What the World Needs Now Is Love.” I was just a young lad at the time, but I remember the song well. It […]
Praying the Lord’s Prayer
Read: Matthew 6:9-15 This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven . . .” (v. 9 NIV) One of the best-known prayers in all the world is what we call The Lord’s Prayer. It is The Lord’s Prayer because it comes from Jesus, our Lord. But we could also call it The […]
Seeing through the Eyes of Prayer
Read: 2 Kings 6:8-17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” (v. 17) One of the things I have learned about prayer is that it brings me clarity in troubling situations. When I am worried about difficulties in my life or in the world, I bring them […]
Praying for Wisdom
Read: 1 Kings 3:4-15; James 1:5 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. (1 Kings 3:9 NIV) The story of Solomon makes me wonder. If God asked me the same question he asked Solomon, would I say, “Wisdom”? I’m not so sure. Would you? […]
September 2024 Prayer Guide
UGANDA — “I want to thank the Lord for the many lives that are being transformed through studying Scripture—especially the youth,” shares our Ruwenzori language producer. One young person named Titus recently joined a Words of Hope Ruwenzori Bible study. Through participating in the group, Titus continued to grow spiritually, and eventually felt called to […]
Praying for Forgiveness
Read: Psalm 51 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. (v. 1) I was watching a crime drama on television. The criminal was attempting to get rid of the murder weapon, a gun. He walked to the Hudson River and threw it […]
Praying for the Defeat of the Wicked
Read: Psalm 37:1-11 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. (vv. 1-2 NIV) Are you feeling anxious about conflict in the world? I know I am. News broadcasts and social media […]
Praying for God’s Guidance
Read: Psalm 25:1-7 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior. (vv. 4-5 NIV) In the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey, the main character of the film, is seated at a bar, praying for God’s guidance. A large […]