Pastor Q&A
Our pastor has addressed some commonly asked questions with Bible based proof. We have a weekly question as well as other questions for you to examine.
WHY DO WE PRAY?
The story is told of a young preacher watching an old sculptor who was on his knees putting the finishing touches on a beautiful statue. The preacher commented, “I wish I could deal such changing blows to the hearts of men.” “You can,” replied the wise sculptor, “if you work as I am working – on your knees.”
Prayer can do what no sermon can do. I can tell the difference in my own ministry when I am faithful in prayer. Our ability to withstand life’s blows is directly related to our prayer life. Prayer is an essential part of every believer’s life.
Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). The Greek word faint means to lose strength, to become weary, to lose heart, and to be discouraged because answers do not come immediately. The command is: pray always and do not become discouraged because answers do not come immediately.
Jesus said to Peter, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). If you read the story, you will find that Peter failed to pray and shortly afterward yielded to his flesh, choosing to protect himself by denying Jesus (Matthew 26:57-75). We are commanded to always pray and not to faint.
As Christians, we need faithfulness in our prayer life. Paul when addressing the conflict that believers are engaged in and the protections of this conflict, said: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18). Praying always simply means “an attitude of God-consciousness – seeing every experience of life in relation to God.” James said, “The effectual fervent of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). It has been said, “Somehow prayer activated God. He doesn’t always say yes to our prayers, but He does always answer. John said, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
Jerry W. Arnold
All Rights Reserved - Free for Personal Use
Posted: 9/4/24
Prayer can do what no sermon can do. I can tell the difference in my own ministry when I am faithful in prayer. Our ability to withstand life’s blows is directly related to our prayer life. Prayer is an essential part of every believer’s life.
Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). The Greek word faint means to lose strength, to become weary, to lose heart, and to be discouraged because answers do not come immediately. The command is: pray always and do not become discouraged because answers do not come immediately.
Jesus said to Peter, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). If you read the story, you will find that Peter failed to pray and shortly afterward yielded to his flesh, choosing to protect himself by denying Jesus (Matthew 26:57-75). We are commanded to always pray and not to faint.
As Christians, we need faithfulness in our prayer life. Paul when addressing the conflict that believers are engaged in and the protections of this conflict, said: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18). Praying always simply means “an attitude of God-consciousness – seeing every experience of life in relation to God.” James said, “The effectual fervent of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). It has been said, “Somehow prayer activated God. He doesn’t always say yes to our prayers, but He does always answer. John said, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
Jerry W. Arnold
All Rights Reserved - Free for Personal Use
Posted: 9/4/24
Other Questions to Investigate and Print:
| Are Jesus and Satan Brothers? |
| Are Miracles a Norm for Today? |
| Are We Basically Good? |
| Are We Missing the Mark When it Comes to Righteousness? |
| Are We Too Emotional? |
| Can My Christian Growth Seem Dormant? |
| Can the Ungodly Be Justified? |
| Can We Call God Our Father? |
| Can We Really Overcome Temptation? |
| Does Doctrine Matter? |
| Do We Need to Defend God's Honor? |
| Does God Hate? |
| How Can I Grow Spiritually? |
| How do I Avoid Sinning When Angry? |
| How Do I Deal With Depression? |
| How Do the Gospels Compare Christ's Resurrection? |
| How Do You Build a Strong Marriage? |
| How Do You Honor Your Wife? |
| Is Compassion a Thing of the Past? |
| Is Contentment Possible? |
| Is Jealousy Really That Bad? |
| Is Jesus Christ God? |
| Is Presumption a Sin? |
| Is Reincarnation Real? |
| Is the Supernatural Real? |
| Is Tradition the Same as Truth? |
| The Many Religions: Do All Religions Lead to God? |
| Was Jesus Really Dead? |
| What Are the Marks of a True Church? |
| What Causes Church Division? |
| What Do We Do About Our Sins? |
| What Does the Bible Say About Cremation? |
| What Is Discernment? |
| What Happened to the Dinosaurs? |
| What is Evil? |
| What Is Evolutionary Atheism? |
| What Is God's Will For My Life? |
| What Is Idolatry? |
| What is Heresy? |
| What Is Love? |
| What is Saving Faith (Part 1) |
| What is Saving Faith (Part 2) |
| What is Saving Faith (Part 3) |
| What is the Fatal Flaw of Evolution? |
| What Is the Final Test of Truth? |
| What Should We Teach Our Children? |
| What is the Real Meaning of Christmas? |
| What Makes Jesus Unique? |
| What Should My Priority Be as a Christian? |
| Who Does God Use and In Whom Is God Well Pleased? |
| Who Shall Have the Authority? |
| Why Am I Here? |
| Why Do We Go to Church? |
| Why Do We Pray? |
| Why Does the World Hate the Church? |
| Why Is Prayer Difficult? |