7 Prayers That Work

Look at this cool story in Matthew 9:2-8-- Some men brought to him a paralyzed man,  lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith,  he said to the man,  “Take heart,  son; your sins are forgiven."  At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”  Knowing their thoughts,  Jesus said,  “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?   Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?   But I want you to know that the Son of Man  has authority on earth to forgive sins.”  So he said to the paralyzed man,  “Get up, take your mat and go home.”   Then the man got up and went home.   When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God,  who had given such authority to man. Some things to notice about this story (and why it applies to you!): Jesus saw the faith of the whole group and said to the paralytic, "Take...

Here are 10 reasons you should fast and pray: 1. Jesus fasted (Mtt. 4:2). 2. Fasting accompanies fervent prayer (Ezra 8:23, Dan. 9:2-4) 3. The early church fasted before making decisions (Acts 13:1-2). 4. Jesus taught his disciples how to fast (Mtt. 6:16-18). 5. Jesus said his disciples would fast in his absence (Mk. 2:18-20). 6. Fasting accompanies worship (Lk. 2:37). 7. Fasting puts you in an attitude of repentance (1 Sam. 7:6, Neh. 9:1-3) 8. Fasting reminds you that nothing is an important as hearing from God (Jer. 36:6-9). 9. Fasting increases patience, which is a necessary part of praying (Psalm 35). 10. Fasting facilitates grief and wisdom in your response (Neh. 1:4) Dear Lord Jehovah, I am in awe of you. I confess my many sins, and I bring to you the sins of my loved ones and ask for your mercy on their behalf. Move in me, and move in them. Let your spirit pour over us and drown us with your presence. Lead us in your will and give us the courage to obey your call...

Dear Lord Jesus Christ-- You are full of mercy and love, and you amaze me because we are a desperate and sinful people, and yet you don't annihilate us. At least, not yet. And so I pray to you. Grant us mercy--give us time to repent. On behalf of those who serve you, if we have pleased you with our rare and paltry obedience, please go with us into the earth. Convict us. Transform us. Forgive the arrogance and selfishness of us, your name-bearers. We misrepresent who you are to your world. We are stubborn and rebellious. We elevate our own agendas. We hate the lost, and we compete with our brothers, and we call it Christianity. Please forgive our wickedness. Our sin is grievous to you, and it confuses your message of forgiveness to the world. Under the canopy of spiritual election, we have confused freedom with grace, conservatism with purity, and protection with compassion. Your heart must be breaking at the sight of us. We bear your name, and we...