Author: A Prayer Life

Prayer That Moves

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

~ James 5:16b (NKJV)

It has been said that “prayer moves the arm that moves the world”. And if there is anything that can prevail with God, it is the prayers of His people. Their humble, fervent, earnest petitioning. We have no power to control the Lord; nor can the creature dictate to the Creator. But we may ask Him for what we desire, and He has graciously said that such asking may effect much for our own good and the good of others. Prayer has no inherent intrinsic power. It is no magical incantation. It is an appeal, a petition, to an Almighty God who is pleased to lovingly work His will in and by the effective fervent prayers of a people who place their sincere faith in Him.

~apl

A Prayer For Advent

~ A Prayer Life ~ 4 Comments

Loving Father,

Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Humility & Love

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Humility and love are precisely the graces which the men of the world can understand, if they do not comprehend doctrines. They are the graces about which there is no mystery, and they are within reach of all classes… [The poorest] Christian can every day find occasion for practicing love and humility.

~ J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)

God With Us

~ A Prayer Life

They shall call his name Emmanuel…

~ Matthew 1:23b (KJV)

The most wonderful thing about Advent is the Incarnation of God. The birth of Jesus was God taking on human flesh, intimately identifying with mankind, and entering into our condition. He did so in order to redeem us. Jesus’ life, and ultimately His death opened the door of peace and hope pronounced at His Advent. Emmanuel is God with us. He came to us so that by faith, we will one day go to Him.

~ apl

Welcome the Judge

~ A Prayer Life

For He is coming to judge the earth.

~ Psalm 98:11 (NKJV)

The average Christian can turn on their local news and be very discouraged at the sheer amount of hatred, violence, and evil they see in the world today. There seems to be a great inequity between good and evil with evil having the upper hand.

Yet, beloved, let us take heart. God is coming to judge the world. Balance will be restored. The scales will be set right. Good will ultimately triumph because the God of Righteousness has the final say. Therefore, have faith. Trust in the Lord and be ready to welcome the Judge.

How Long?

~ A Prayer Life

I wonder how long a man ought to thank God for forgiving his sins? Is life long enough? Is time long enough? Is eternity too long? How long ought a man to thank God for saving him from going down to hell? Would 50 years suffice? Oh no, that would never do, the blessing is too great to be all sung of in a millennium. Suppose you and I never had a single mercy except this one, that we were made the children of God and co-heirs with Christ Jesus – suppose we had nothing else to enjoy! We ought to sing about that alone forever and ever.

~ Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Simple Words

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[C]ome, take up the cross, and follow Me

Mark 10:21 (NKJV)

Jesus gives those who would belong to Him three short imperatives here: come, take and follow. First, we come to Christ with nothing in order to receive everything. Second, He offers us the cross, the emblem of a true Christian. And in taking up the cross, we take up all it represents: both it’s difficulty and delight, burden and blessing, trial and triumph. But finally, in doing so, we show ourselves to be true followers of His. What do these words mean to you? Come, take and follow. Three simple words that can change your life, both now and for eternity.

~ apl