Eternal Life

The free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift (Romans 4:16).

Receive God’s gift and say thank you.

Praying to a Forgiving God

We often overlook confession. Perhaps we live unaware of our sins. Maybe we think if we don’t talk about them, God will not notice. We probably don’t realize how absolutely bad sin is. But the consequences of sin are dire. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened (Psalm 66:18 NLT). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Click here for a Prayer Guide on Praying to a Forgiving God.

Strengthened Through Prayer

Facing an undeserved death, Jesus prayed, “I want your will to be done, not mine.”
God responded by sending an angel to strengthen him (from Luke 22:42-43).

Sometimes God’s answer is strength to endure suffering.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

Jesus told his disciples he would “be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant (Mark 9:31-32).”

I’m not sure why they were afraid to ask. But I am sure that we don’t have to be afraid to ask Jesus anything.

He invites us to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God (Hebrews 4:16).”

Claim God’s Promise of Comfort

God promises those who mourn will be comforted (Matthew 5:4).

Though it does not take away the loss, God’s comfort soothes, like aloe on newly burned skin.

We pray to the God who is the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3).

Come with Thanks

Come into his presence with thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2).

Enter his gates with thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4).

Thanksgiving acknowledges God’s generosity and goodness.

Being Thankful is a Choice

I will give thanks to you, Lord,
with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds (Psalm 9:1 bold mine).

We choose to be thankful to God.

A Secret Act of Faith

She joined the crowd pressing around Jesus, furtively touched his robe, and was healed.

Jesus commended her secret act of faith publicly when He said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace (Mark 5:34).”

Secret faith can lead to public praise.

What I learned about prayer from Tessa Afshar’s The Way Home – 6

“Ruth made this promise to Naomi, ‘Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried (Ruth 1:16-17).’

We can turn Ruth’s words into a prayer. ‘Jesus, Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God and Father will be my God and Father. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.'”

*adapted from Tessa Afshar, The Way Home, p.256.

Follow Me

If Jesus knew we would do whatever He asked, what would He ask?

Am I willing?

Are you?