Stephen Altrogge |
We all know that we’re supposed to pray. We all have our own prayer “tactics,” such as prayer lists, prayer apps, prayer walks, prayer meetings, praying out loud, writing down our prayers, writing down the prayers we say out loud, and saying out loud prayers which have been written down.
In spite of all these tactics, I believe prayer is THE MOST underrated spiritual discipline. The simple fact is, I take prayer for granted. Because Christ has opened the way into the Holy Places, I can pray freely at any time of day. I can pray in the car, as I’m working, and while I’m watching my kids. Being able to pray so freely is an incredible, wonderful blessing. I think, however, that the freeness with which I can pray causes me to take prayer for granted. Think for a moment of all that takes place when I pray. GOD HEARS
Holy smokes! When I pray, the Lord himself, Yahweh, the King of Kings, the commander of the armies of Heaven, hears me! The God who crushed the Egyptian army and humiliated the prophets of Baal, hears when I call to him. I’m not speaking empty words into a void. I’m not simply talking to myself. This is not the power of positive speaking. When I call, God hears. GOD STRENGTHENS
Not only does God hear me when I pray, but he also strengthens me. In the midst of affliction, when I barely have the strength to call out to God, he hears me and strengthens me. He imparts real spiritual, emotional, and even physical strength to me. Prayer connects me to the infinite strength of God. GOD BLESSES
God is eager to bless me. Just as I am eager to give good gifts to my kids, God is eager to give good gifts to me. When I pray, God unleashes blessings into my life. I realize that sounds terribly Joel Osteen-ish, but it’s not. It’s God’s word. God will give me good things when I pray to him. He will bless me and pour out his incredible riches into my life. GOD ACTS
This passage is meant to encourage us that God does real, incredible things in response to my prayers. When Elijah prayed, God actually altered weather patterns! When I pray, God does real, amazing, incredible things. He changes circumstances. He softens hearts. He intervenes with financial provision. He brings reconciliation. Prayer brings the Almighty God into the mundane details of my life. Given all the astonishing things that happen when I pray, why do I treat prayer so lightly? That’s the big question we all need to answer. Stephen Altrogge serves as a pastor at Sovereign Grace Church. Find out more at The Blazing Center. |
Posts Tagged ‘Weapons’
The Most Underrated Spiritual Discipline
Posted: October 23, 2017 in Arise and Shine, Da Grace Race, Dairy of a Freeman, Family, Help Line, The Grind Theorem, TouchstoneTags: #PstHephzy, #TheBounce, Action, Balance, Believers, Bible, Calling, Christ's Reps, Christians, Church, Dairy of a Freeman, Devotion, Devotional, Discipline, Family, Family Life, Finishing Strong, Finishing Well, God, God's Time, God's Word, Grace, Grace of God, Grace Race, Grow, Guest Post, Help line, Jesus, My Perspective, Prayer, Responsibilities, Spiritual Warfare, Touchstone, Weapons
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Is it ok to have a Weapon of Self Defense as a Christian
Posted: May 29, 2015 in Arise and Shine, Da Grace Race, Dairy of a Freeman, The Grind Theorem, TouchstoneTags: Believers, Christ's Reps, Hand Gun, Self Defense, Weapons
Is it ok for a Christian to have a concealed handgun license? In this quick video Pastor Todd Wagner of the Watermark Church explains…
Watch and be informed.