If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you’ll probably know I enjoy Calvin’s writing on prayer from The Institutes of Christian Religion—that’s why I made it accessible in the stand-alone volume The Chief Exercise of Faith: John Calvin on Prayer.”” This post shares tips gleaned from Calvin. The tips are more scattered than systematic, […]
Prayer
Seeking reward is a legit motivator to pray
What drives you to pray? Perhaps it’s a great need in your life brings you to your knees. Maybe you trust that God answers prayer. Or it could simply be a love for your heavenly Father and the desire to please Him. If you’re like me, the words “without me you can do nothing” (John […]
The Greatest Discouragement for My Prayer Life
This is the final installment of the series on Fighting the Spiritual Battle in Prayer. As I close this message, let me warn you about a danger of listening to sermons or reading books on prayer. I sometimes leave hearing about prayer encouraged for a time, but as time goes on and I realize my […]
Praying to Advance the Gospel is Spiritual Warfare
This is a continuation of the series on Fighting the Spiritual Battle in Prayer. The last characteristic of warfare prayer is that warfare prayer focuses on advancing the gospel. Ephesians 6:19-20: “[Pray] also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which […]
Pray for All the Saints
This is a continuation of the series on Fighting the Spiritual Battle in Prayer. The last “all” of Ephesians 6:18 is to pray for all the saints. The spiritual war is not something we do all on our own—we battle as a body. The English language doesn’t convey this, but the verbs in this passage […]
