In Sermon Illustrations: "Prayer"

The Hitchhiker  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Aug 28, 2001

Illus.:The Hitchhiker Roger Simms, hitchhiking his way home, would never forget the date—May 7. His heavy suitcase made Roger tired. He was anxious to take off his army uniform once and for all. Flashing the hitchhiking sigh to the oncoming car, he lost hope when he saw it was a black, sleek, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:13, Psalm 139:1-24, Jonah 3:1-15, 2 Peter 3:9

Tags: God's Provision, One God, Prayer Answered, Faith

Denomination: Wesleyan

Hearing God  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 25, 2002

HEARING GOD The New York Times reports that during the attacks of September 11, the communication between rescue workers and their commanding officers was not good. Instead of reaching the workers by radio to warn of the imminent collapse of the Trade Center Towers, a messenger had to be sent ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 94:9

Tags: Prayer Hardship, God's Omniscience, Debt, Disciplines General

Faithful For A Promise  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 28, 2002

FAITHFUL FOR A PROMISE A promise from God is a statement we can depend on with absolute confidence. Here are 12 promises for the Christian to claim. God’s presence -- "I will never leave thee" (Heb. 13:5) God’s protection -- "I am thy shield" (Gen. 15:1) God’s power -- "I will strengthen thee" ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Faith, Deception, Peace, Prayer, Promise  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Read An Account About A Storm That Came As A ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jun 3, 2003

I read an account about a storm that came as a surprise. "The storm came roaring in from the Atlantic, and it left the city of New York paralyzed. Ordinarily such a snow fall cause little inconvenience in that city. Snowplows are assembled and crews are at work even as the first flakes begin to ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life, Disciples, Discipleship, Prayer, Temptation General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

On A Blustery, Stormy, Winter Day, At The Broad ...  PRO

Contributed by Manuel Amparo on May 10, 2006

On a blustery, stormy, winter day, at the broad intersection on a busy trunk highway, I noticed a man standing near the side of the road. I was on my way home for lunch. The next day he was there again at the same place, and the next day, and for days following. Blizzards came, with cold weather, ...read more

Tags: Enemy, Instruction, God Brings Hope, Prayer, Protection  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Night Before

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Aug 1, 2011

THE NIGHT BEFORE Jesus saw what was coming by way of the cross...Jesus saw the beating of the Roman whip with the metal attached to the ends that would rip the skin from the victims back. Beaten beyond recognition and could barely see to carry an old wooden cross to die on. That night before: He ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26, Luke 22:44

Tags: Jesus, Blood, Prayer, Gethsemane, Forgive, Blood Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Famishing For His Presence  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 2, 2014

FAMISHING FOR HIS PRESENCE "The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God, and the church is famishing ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:14-26

Tags: Holy Spirit, Prayer, Glory Of God, Presence Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"I Love You, Daddy. Amen."

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 14, 2014

James Dobson tells of the time he was away on a business trip. While he was away, and his wife and 2 children were sitting down to eat, his wife turned to their two year old son Ryan and asked if he would like to pray before he and sister ate. The invitation startled the little boy, but he folded ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Tags: Thanksgiving, Children, Fathers Day, Prayer Before Meals

When George Washington Prayed For America

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

When George Washington was inaugurated in New York City in front of the Federal Hall, he walked to the St. Paul Church and prayed for our country in front of the church. He declared, "The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: America, Prayer, Revival, Judgment, Repentance, George Washington  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Doesn't God Answer?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 13, 2022

The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her preacher father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day she asked him why. The Pastor was so proud that his daughter was so observant of his mesages. He smiled and answered, "Well, honey, ...read more

Tags: Preachers, Children, Prayer, Pastors, Jokes, Fathers, Sermons  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Let The Devil Hang A Nail On Your Door!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 8, 2022

A Haitian pastor illustrated to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ by sharing this parable: A certain man wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man wanted very badly to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn't afford the full price. After much bargaining, ...read more

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Commitment To Christ, Strongholds, Satah  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Momma Needed Her Quiet Time

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jun 7, 2023

If you think you are too busy for a Quiet Time, consider Charles and John Wesley's mother Susanna Wesley, who had nineteen children. And, yet, in the middle of her busy day, she would sit down in a chair and pull her apron up over her head and have her Quiet Time! ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Tags: Prayer, Meditation, Seeking God, Quiet Time, Devotions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be An Encourager, Fathers Day - My Relationship With My Son

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 25, 2025

God the Father ... Loves His Children ... and He is also quick to .... encourage His children. (Long Pause) And ... I learned that ... the hard way. As a father ... you want the best for your children ... you want them to succeed. To succeed ... at everything they do. Kristin ... our first ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9, Ephesians 4:29, Romans 8:38-39, Romans 5:8

Tags: Prayer, Encouragement, Friend, Encourage, Father, Children, Son  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

It Takes Courage To Livecourage And Strength And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

It takes courage to livecourage and strength and hope and humor. And courage and strength and hope and humor have to be bought and ...read more

Tags: Endurance

We Have The Power Of God Within Us. Most Of It ...

Contributed by Michael West on Oct 2, 2008

We have the power of God within us. Most of it is just a prayer away. But we sell ourselves ...read more

Tags: Power

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Intro: A Voyaging Ship Was Wrecked During A Storm ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 26, 2007

INTRO: A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert-like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, ...read more

God Moved Christian Across Pond To Save Him From Drowning

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 25, 2025

God Moved Christian across Pond to Save Him from Drowning One of my favorite miracle stories is from Jan Ramsey. My wife Mary used to work at Lakeshore School with Jan. She was a member of First Baptist in Swartz. Jan gave this prayer testimony about her dad, James, and I think he was 81 at the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Tags: Nathan The Prophet, Solomon's Temple, Mother's Womb, Omniscience, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, King David, Fearfully Made, Wonderfully Made, Creation, Light, Darkness, Presence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

I Heard Howard Hendricks Tell About A Time Early ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 24, 2003

I heard Howard Hendricks tell about a time early in his teaching ministry when he worked up a humdinger of a series on prayer. At the end of his study he knew more about prayer than he had ever imagined he could know. He had worked it into a grand presentation and couldn’t wait to preach it. As ...read more

Joe Scriven Was A Missionary From Ireland To ...

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 8, 2009

Joe Scriven was a missionary from Ireland to Canada, working among the Iroquois Indians. He was joined by his fiancé who was also from Ireland. Just before the wedding, she was killed in an ice accident. Joe buried her with his own hands, and a broken heart. A year later, in a letter to his mother, ...read more

Tags: Trials And Difficulties, Trials Of Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Money- No Learning – But ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 15, 2009

“No Money- No Learning – But Joy” A prayer meeting was being held at a mission chapel. A poor worker came and kneeled at the altar. He could not understand even the simple Gospel message. While others were rejoicing, he kept on saying, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus” which was all the prayer he knew. Soon ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 3:18

Tags: Joy