Monthly Archives: January 2016

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:3-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/rom.5.3-4.esv

Or at least that’s one way that the story goes when Luther’s barber asked for some advice. 

The result was a little book on prayer… A Simple Way to Pray

In this volume Luther suggests using the 10 Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer as outlines for deeper prayer.

For example, when I use this method and get to “hallowed be thy name” I begin thinking through the names of God and praying thanks for His greatness. 

Another helpful take away is this: don’t try to pray long elaborate prayers a much as you pray shorter meaningful prayers, and pray them often through the day.

Let’s pray our way into 2016.

As we continue our restart in 2016, press on in Scripture and prayer… Continue to climb up into the lap of God and dwell with Him. Be less anxious about what you DO than who and whose you ARE.

Remember this answer Jesus gave to Martha:

“But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:41-42‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.10.41-42.esv

This is an excerpt from a Thanksgiving 2015 post…

Perhaps if we made a more regular practice of being thankful, we might have better outlooks on life in general. Paul said to “give thanks in all circumstances;” (1 Thess. 5:18a) he did not say give thanks for everything. The idea is to look to God and be thankful. In his very recent book on prayer, Tim Keller exclaims: “It is remarkable that in all of his writings Paul’s prayers for his friends contain no appeals for changes in their circumstances.” (Keller. Prayer, p. 19) Paul’s emphasis is the inner life and that if we focus on it, the outer life will take care of itself. This is how he can say “give thanks in all circumstances.” If we are viewing the circumstances of life filled by and strengthened by Christ living in us, we have much to be thankful for.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/isa.43.19.esv