In Preaching Articles: "Prayer"

Don’t Try And Improve On God’s Methods

By Ray Ortlund on Apr 23, 2024

True awakening or revival is a glorious season in the life of the church when for His glory alone, God causes the ordinary means of His grace to make an extraordinary impact on many people.

Scripture: Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:27-30, Isaiah 1:15, Luke 19:9-10, John 3:8, Matthew 11:28-30, Acts 2:47  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grace, Prayer, revival, Church revival, spiritual awakening, grace  (view more)  (view less)

5 Personal Changes To Empower Your Preaching

By Rick Ezell on Feb 11, 2025

Preachers shape their sermons through personal integrity, clear priorities, grounded planning, spiritual investment, and prayerful dependence on God’s power.

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Tags: leadership, Personal Change, Leadership

Is Your Preaching Missing This Key Component?

By Lance Witt on Jan 7, 2021

As a pastor I am embarrassed to admit this, but prayer has often been a struggle for me. And yet, it is crucial to our success in preaching.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Tags:

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, sermon preparation, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Pastors: The Ceo Has To Go

By Derek Vreeland on Aug 24, 2023

I feel the impulse to forsake the pastoral vocation of word and sacrament, prayer and disciple-making, in favor of becoming a CEO who gets things done.

Tags: liturgy, Theology, church and business, consumerism

How To Preach A Sermon Again Without Preaching It The Same

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 17, 2024

Repeated sermons should grow richer with time. With prayerful revision, fresh insight, and renewed engagement, a pastor can preach familiar material with greater depth.

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, Church Practices, Pastoral Ministry, Biblical Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach Jesus Using The Psalms

By Jason Hood on Feb 12, 2025

The Psalms reveal Jesus as sufferer, king, shepherd, and conqueror, inviting believers to see both Christ and themselves in the prayers he fulfilled and continues to shape in us.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: spiritual formation, Spiritual Formation

How To Preach Jesus Using The Psalms

By Jason Hood on Oct 8, 2024

Luther, Spurgeon, and Bonhoeffer saw Jesus as one of the chief subjects of the Psalms. Do you?

Scripture: Psalm 41:1-3, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: preaching, Psalms, Praise, Preaching, Meekness, church fathers, Prayer Adoration  (view more)  (view less)

5 Excellent Reasons To Develop A Preaching Calendar And 3 Ways To Start

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 11, 2021

The fact that God knows our story--individually and corporately, from beginning to end--means we need not specialize in "Saturday night specials."

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Tags: Prayer, corporate worship, preaching calendar, talk to team, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Every New Believer Should Know

By Brian Mavis on Mar 7, 2025

New believers thrive when they learn God’s love, grace, Scripture, prayer, community, and Christ centered living early. These ten lessons safeguard a healthy start.

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, James 4:10, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:16, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship, spiritual formation, Spiritual Formation

Ten Principles For Pastors Leading Plateaued Churches

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 13, 2022

Many churches plateau, but pastors don’t have to. These ten principles guide leaders toward renewal through prayer, humility, small improvements, and practical, Spirit-led steps.

Tags: Church, Growth, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Apathy, Shepherding, church, Pastoral Leadership, Plateaue, Ministry Health, Fail, Leadership General, pastoral leadership, shepherding, Pastor, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Dangers Of Self-Righteousness: Lessons From Luke 18:9-14

By Josh Read on Oct 30, 2025

In today’s world, especially in the age of social media, it’s easy to curate a version of ourselves that looks impressive—sharing successes, opinions, and spiritual highlights while hiding our struggles. But Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:9–14 cuts straight through that façade. It reminds us that self-righteousness doesn’t bring us closer to God, it drives us further from Him.

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23-24, James 4:10

Tags: Mercy, Parable, Prayer, confession, repentance, justification, sanctification, Repentance, Justification, Confession, Sanctification  (view more)  (view less)

The Radical Experiment: One Year To A Church Turned Upside Down

By David Platt on Jan 14, 2025

David Platt dares pastors and their congregations to take a leap of faith and test the claims contained in the gospel.

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Tags: Faith, Outreach, Gospel, Missions, Prayer, radical, Evangelism Urgency, Gospel obedience, gospel, Gospel Obedience  (view more)  (view less)

How To Make The Most Of Your Morning

By Josh Reich on Jun 15, 2024

"There is a lot at stake in what we do with our mornings."

Scripture: Psalm 34:8

Tags: Morning, priorities, distractions, Personal Growth, Quiet time, productivity, Good Habits, pastoral leadership, prayers  (view more)  (view less)

Shepherd God’s Flock: Protecting God’s People

By Chris Pascarella on Nov 24, 2022

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. – Acts 20:28-29

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18, Acts 20:28-29

Tags: protection, encouragement, Courage, Rebuke, Godly Leaders, daily prayer, pastoral leadership, shepherd God's flock  (view more)  (view less)