From time to time, some of my graduate students produce some very good work. I thought you might like to see what Barry Jenkins had to say about prayer. A Theology of Prayer By Barry L. Jenkins Introduction It is necessary to state the obvious at the beginning of this work entitled A Theology of…
Why do you pray? No, really. It’s not a stupid question. Why do you pray? If you’re like most of the people I talk to, your answer will be something like this: “I pray in order to ask God to take care of needs in my life and in the lives of others. I pray…
“Pray, then, in this way.” Matthew 6:9 Pray – Do you say the Lord’s Prayer? Most of us do. We have since childhood. It’s part of the liturgy now. But I wonder if we actually pray as the Lord instructed. You see, Jesus was not teaching us a prayer. He was teaching how to pray. …
A study of Philippians 4:4-7 (4) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! (5) Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. (6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace…
I just flew back to Orlando from Pensacola, Florida. I taught twenty-five Masters’ graduate students about the “flow” of Hebraic prayer. Patrick Sullivan, my loyal friend and tech geek, just posted the audio for The Hebrew view of Prayer. Enjoy!
and grant her honor as a fellow-heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 Diagnosis Confirmed Not Be Hindered – Peter concludes this verse with a thought that should cause every Christian man to sit up. He says that just as there is a purpose (“likewise”),…
And they said to her, “You are out of your mind.” Acts 12:15 Out Of Your Mind – Mainê! No, it’s not the smallest, coldest state in the Union. It’s the transliteration of the Greek word that means, “You’re insane.” It’s the root of our word maniac. “You’re raving mad.” Given the circumstances, it’s quite…
Throwing all your cares on Him because you are the object of His concern (my translation) 1 Peter 5:7 The Object Of – God knows what you need, right? God is able to provide what you need, right? Then why bother Him about it? Why pester Him with your constant requests? After all, you don’t…
For I bear him witness that he has a deep concern for you Colossians 4:13 Deep Concern – Is that it? Is “deep concern” what caused Epaphras to agonize in prayer? Even the marginal notes in the NASB only suggest “much toil” or “great pain.” But the Greek is zelon polun, literally “great zeal.” Of…
Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, Colossians 4:12 Laboring Earnestly – What would happen if you did nothing but pray? Does that idea make you a little uncomfortable? The language itself makes us uneasy, doesn’t it? Did…
