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What Are We to Make of Unanswered Prayers?

What Are We to Make of Unanswered Prayers?

January 16, 2023

Gary Yates, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, tells the story of a chaplain’s prayer. Chaplain Max Helton prayed beside the car of racecar driver Dale Earnhardt prior to the start of the 2001 Daytona 500. Holding hands, “they prayed for wisdom and safety,” Yates said. But Earnhardt lost his life in that race — in a final lap crash. Yates asked why God did not bring wisdom and safety when He promised believers, “Ask and you will receive.”

Puzzled by such “unanswered prayers,” some believers wonder whether Jesus was being totally truthful when He said, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). 

What are “unanswered prayers” and how do we explain them in light of Scripture?

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How Can We Give in the Name of Jesus This Christmas?

How Can We Give in the Name of Jesus This Christmas?

November 29, 2022

While the Bible tells Christians to pray in Jesus’ name, it does not specifically say to give in Jesus’ name. But when we do pray in His name, we can ask the Lord for ways He wants us to give and serve others in order to honor Him and further His work in the world.

Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:40). Christians are the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus in the world today. 

Our Creator can help us be creative to make a difference in others’ lives in Jesus’ name — especially at Christmas.

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What Can We Learn from Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom?

What Can We Learn from Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom?

September 27, 2022

The story of Solomon’s prayer for wisdom is much more than a beautiful tale of one man’s desire for wisdom. It holds powerful lessons for believers today — especially in a culture where people continually make foolish choices. 

Wisdom is valuable, to be sought for and highly esteemed; but having wisdom doesn’t automatically guarantee right attitudes and actions. Wisdom needs to be applied. The Bible gives us the conclusion of Solomon’s story; though gifted with wisdom, he sometimes failed to follow his own wise counsel. 

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Are You Guilty of Any of the “7 Things God Hates?”

Are You Guilty of Any of the “7 Things God Hates?”

June 21, 2022

Some people believe that if God hates anything, that is incompatible with His love. They are bothered or even shocked by this idea.

But God does indeed hate things: “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him” (Proverbs 6:16). The writer of Proverbs shared those seven things (verses 17-19) as a representation of the evils God detests.

Exploring the idea of God hating things tells us a lot about God Himself, and it also calls us to examine our hearts to see if these hated things are part of our lives.

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8 Prayers to Pray over Your Daughter

8 Prayers to Pray over Your Daughter

May 16, 2022

One of the greatest privileges parents have is to pray for their children. There are many kinds of prayers parents can pray, and at different stages of their child’s life. Looking down in a cradle at a sweet daughter delights a parent’s heart, and God has plans for that little one too. In that tiny bundle lies a future waiting to unfold, filled with dreams, challenges, and endless possibilities.

Our prayers for our daughters evolve as she grows, adapting to her changing needs and circumstances. They range from prayers for her physical health to requests for her emotional well-being. We pray for her protection, wisdom, and courage. We pray for her to find her purpose and to be a source of light and love in the world. So, we pray, with gratitude in our hearts and a deep sense of responsibility, for God's guidance, blessings, and grace to fill her life at every step of her remarkable journey.

Here are eight prayers a parent might pray for daughters.

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10 Powerful Prayers for My Son

10 Powerful Prayers for My Son

February 14, 2022

One of the most profound ways to support and guide our children is through prayer. This list of prayers for your son is crafted to help you as parents navigate this spiritual path, providing heartfelt prayers tailored to the unique challenges and blessings of raising a son. By incorporating these powerful prayers into daily life, you can provide your son with a solid foundation of love, faith, and guidance that will carry him through life's highs and lows.

Each prayer is designed not only to uplift your son but also to strengthen the spiritual bond between you and your child, grounding your relationship in faith and trust in God's plan. Join us in these 10 powerful prayers that can transform your son's life and bring peace and assurance to your heart.

A Prayer of Blessing over My Son

Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a heart full of gratitude and love for my son, _______.  I know that he is a precious gift from you and this job of parenting him is not one I take lightly. I lift him up to You and ask for Your abundant blessings upon every area of his life.

Lord, bless _______ with spiritual strength and resilience. May he grow in his faith and trust in You, standing firm in Your Word and seeking Your presence daily. Fill him with the Holy Spirit, empowering him to face challenges and temptations through your might and power. 

Grant _______ the integrity and honesty that reflect the character of Jesus. Help him to always speak the truth and act justly, regardless of the circumstances. May his actions be filled with love toward others and and he seeks to live a life that honors You.

Father, bless _______ with wisdom and understanding. Guide him in his studies and intellectual pursuits, helping him to grow in knowledge and discernment. May he find joy in learning and develop a passion for truth and wisdom.

I pray for his physical health and well-being. Strengthen his body and grant him the energy and vitality he needs to thrive. Protect him from illness and injury, and help him to make choices that promote his health.

In his relationships, surround _______ with loving and supportive friends and mentors. Bless him with others who are like-minded and challenge him to be better. May he be a source of kindness, encouragement, and love to those around him. Fill him with the joy of good friendships.

Lord, I pray over his career and finances that you would guide him and provide for him. Bless _______ with opportunities that align with his talents and passions, and grant him the wisdom to make decisions that lead to success and fulfillment.

Lord, guide _______ in his spiritual walk with You. Draw him closer to You each day and fill his heart with a deep love for You and Your Word. Help him to grow in faith, trust, and obedience to Your will. May he always seek Your presence and guidance in all he does.

Finally, I ask for Your protection over _______. Keep him safe from harm and surround him with Your angels. Grant him peace and confidence, knowing that You are always with him.

Thank You, Lord, for the precious gift of my son. I entrust him to Your loving care, knowing that Your plans for him are good and perfect.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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What Does the Bible Say about Purpose?

What Does the Bible Say about Purpose?

February 1, 2022

Living life on purpose is a good choice. It means not living life randomly, but with positive intentionality. Christ-followers can live more satisfying, God-honoring lives as they define purpose biblically, and as they discover God’s plans for their lives. 

What does the Bible say about purpose? How do we discover it? What happens when we stray from God’s purpose? Questions like these can help frame this important issue.

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7 Powerful Prayers for Wisdom

7 Powerful Prayers for Wisdom

January 12, 2022

Praying daily for wisdom is a wise thing to do! In Proverbs 8, an intriguing passage about wisdom, the writer asks, “Does not wisdom call out?” Indeed, God’s wisdom does call out, and those who respond positively and prayerfully to this call find blessing and favor from the Lord.

The value of praying for wisdom cannot be stressed more for the child of God, and some key prayers can help believers in their daily walk with God. But first, it’s helpful to form a good mindset for these prayers.

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Why Did God Choose Mary to Give Birth to Jesus?

Why Did God Choose Mary to Give Birth to Jesus?

December 13, 2021

God chose Mary for what might be called the most important job in world history—bringing the Messiah into the world. Her life would take a sharp detour from planning her marriage to preparing for the Messiah in her womb. 

Mary’s story is woven into God’s plan to send His Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14). But why Mary? Was there something unique or special about this young woman?

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