Tag Archives: glory to his name

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Prayer Is Warfare

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Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. —Matthew 13:58

No doubt there have been times when we may have hindered the work of God in our lives because of unbelief. Scripture tells us that Jesus could do no mighty work in His hometown because of unbelief (see Matthew 13:58).

Clearly there is a place for faith in prayer. However, I disagree with those who say it is all about faith and that if your prayer isn’t answered, it is because you lack faith.

Sometimes I only have so much faith. I think of the man whose child needed Jesus’ healing touch. This desperate father said, “Lord, I believe.” Then he added, “Help my unbelief!” (see Mark 9:24). We read that Jesus delivered the boy from demon powers. Do you know why? It was an honest prayer: Lord I believe. Help my unbelief! Lord, I believe, but sometimes I have lapses. Sometimes I have doubts.

Sometimes there is a lack of faith in our prayers. We all have had doubts. But that is when we take the Word of God and apply it to that doubt. As Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

The early church had their doubts when Herod had Peter arrested and thrown into prison. But they prayed. And even though their prayers were weak, they were still mightier than Herod. Why didn’t God answer their prayers earlier? Did He want to teach the church perseverance? Or, was it to teach Peter faith? Their story reminds us that prayer is warfare, and the battle is not won through human strength but on our knees.

It has been said that prayer is striking the winning blow; service is gathering up the results.

So let’s go. Let’s start barraging God’s throne with requests that will bring glory to His name.

 

 

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – An Intimate Relationship

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Sometimes it’s hard to turn down a request from a small, smiling child. That special little one may have captured your heart at the time of their birth, but now that he or she has grown older, you have a much more difficult time refusing them. You know them…you love them…you care for them.

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do.   John 14:13

And so it is with Jesus. He knows you, loves you and cares for you. Thankfully, He always knows what is best for His child. Additionally, He wants you to understand more of what pleases Him and is beneficial to you. As you build on the relationship that God began with you – through study of His Word and prayer – there is freedom for you to share your intimate thoughts and desires. The Lord will respond and convey to you the wisdom to ask of Him those things that please Him…those things that will bring glory to His name and further His work. After all, that should be your real goal.

Believer, the God who formed you loves you and cares for you. Know Him. Love Him. Then be bold in your prayers for your family, your neighbors and the nation’s leaders. He desires to answer you.

Recommended Reading: I John 5:10-21

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From Heaven’s Perspective – Greg Laurie

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After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God—Acts 14:21–22

I think when we get to heaven, we will see things differently. I think we will discover that the things we saw as good weren’t as good as we thought they were. And I think some things that we thought were bad actually will be seen in a new light.

We tend to think of prosperity and success always as good things. For some people they can be, if they are used for God’s glory. But quite honestly, for others, these things can be a great distraction and cause them to forget God.

In addition, we think of sickness or loss or failure as always bad. And they can be bad. Very bad. But they also can be good, because these things can cause a person to cling to God and to lean on the Lord like they never would have otherwise, if things had been better. So in reality, from heaven’s perspective, a so-called bad thing actually can be a good thing.

When his friend Lazarus was sick, Jesus delayed going to see him in Bethany. John 11:5–6 tells us, “So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days.”

Because Jesus loved them, He stayed where He was. Instead of running to them, as they hoped He would, He stayed away. Why? Jesus delayed His arrival so He could bring greater glory to His name.

Jesus allowed this for a greater good. And it all comes down to what the definition of good is. They wanted a healing, but Jesus wanted a resurrection.

I think the whys of our suffering will be revealed in time. But until that day, we need to know that through much tribulation, we will enter the kingdom of God.