Editor’s Note: Enjoy this excerpt from beloved author Anne Graham Lotz (called the “best preacher in the family” by her father Reverend Billy Graham). The Daniel Prayer is based off the prayer of Daniel, who prayed on behalf of his nation, Judah, which had come under God’s judgment. Today, Lotz continues to utilize the Daniel prayer model to…
Do The Heart Work: Examine and Confess
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. — Reinhold Niebuhr One fateful day in June, I found myself poring over volumes of photos on my computer. I was on a tight project deadline, so naturally, scrolling…
Prayer That Is Answered Immediately
Prayer That Is Answered Immediately Daniel had seen with his own eyes the sacred golden vessels that had been used in temple worship of the living God used at a pagan feast for the pleasure of a spoiled, drunken Babylonian king.1 He knew the city of Jerusalem itself was nothing but ruins. And the temple…
We Aren’t the First People to Struggle With Prayer
It’s not that we don’t pray at all. We all pray some. On tearstained pillows we pray. In grand liturgies we pray. At the sight of geese in flight, we pray. Quoting ancient devotions, we pray. We pray to stay sober, centered, or solvent. We pray when the lump is deemed malignant. When the money…
Prayer That Aligns with Jesus’ Heart
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. — 1 John 5:14 NIV A friend sent me a pretty graphic with the statement “Those who put everything in God’s hands eventually see God’s hand in everything.” I’ve also heard, “Pray and pay…
I’m Scared to Pray Boldly
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. — James 5:16 Sometimes I’m scared to pray boldly. It’s not at all that I don’t believe God can do anything. I absolutely do. I’m a wild-about-Jesus girl. Wild in my willingness. Wild in my obedience. Wild in my adventures with God. So my hesitation…
Who Is This Giver of Prayer?
The first privilege of having an intimate relationship with God through prayer is that you get to know God. Consider what a great and awesome honor that is — to know the One who not only created all that exists but also directs it from His mighty throne. This is an amazing thought when you…
What Does the Bible Actually Say about Prayer?
To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. — Martin Luther Out of curiosity, I decided to Google the word prayer. I couldn’t believe the response — a smorgasbord offered in the name of communion with almighty God. One website detailed a free mini course that would…
Why I Stopped Saying ‘I Will Pray For You’
I’ve come to the place where I have had to stop telling people, “I’ll pray for you.” I simply know that despite my good intentions — and these promises are almost always spoken with good intent — I know that nine times out of ten I just don’t remember to follow through. Not until maybe…
Three Powerful Prayers from Historical Figures
Editor’s note: It’s been said that prayer is the world’s greatest wireless connection. A freely accessible conversation with God? What an act of mercy on His part. Humanity has been utilizing this gift for ages, so there must be a common thread here… something that keeps us coming back to our Creator. Do you ever…