By Armin Gesswein (1907 – 2001) Prayer is the highest and holiest work, and yet it is the most neglected ministry on earth. For want of intercession, we are low on the mighty works of God. Our generation has yet to see prayer as a ministry, and to take God at His Word on this...
Tag: prayer
THE FATHERHOOD PROTOCOL
Our Father . . . Matthew 6:9 Two men were boasting to one another about their Bible knowledge. One said to his friend, “I bet you don’t even know the Lord’s prayer.” His friend replied, “I certainly do.” The first man shot back, “Then let me hear you say it.” His friend quoted, “Now I...
THE CONFIDENCE PROTOCOL
Come boldly unto the throne of grace. Hebrews 4:16 The Bible instructs us to approach God with boldness, or confidence: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). The word “boldly” speaks of frankness, bluntness, and assurance. It...
THE UNITY PROTOCOL
Our Father . . . , Give us . . . forgive us . . . deliver us. Matthew 6:9–13 There is not a single first-person pronoun in the model prayer. Most people pray about “I,” “me,” and “my,” but none of these words appear in this prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray....
The Singing Protocol
Come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:2 There is a reason church services begin with singing. It is protocol: “Come before his presence with singing” (Ps. 100:2). The word “singing” conveys the idea of shouting for joy. It literally means to sound the glad voice of triumph. God says that men are to approach Him...
THE SURRENDER PROTOCOL
Thy will be done. Matthew 6:10 One of the basics of God-focused praying is found once again in the model prayer: surrendering our personal desires and agendas to the Lord in exchange for our Father’s plan and purpose (see Matt. 6:10). Jesus teaches us to pray that the Father’s will would be executed on Earth as...