Sermons on Praying Hard:

Prayer Keys - Persistence Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Oct 27, 2011

Please forgive me for stating the obvious, but persistent prayer is hard work. It drains us. It is hard, but it is eventually worth the effort.

Prayer Keys - Persistence “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1 Have you seen that cartoon with the pelican having a frog for dinner? His dinner is not agreeing with him. In fact, his dinner is violently ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Scandal Of Grace Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 29, 2003

Grace is scandalous. It’s hard to accept, hard to believe, and hard to receive. Grace shocks us in what it offers. It is truly not of this world. It frightens us with what it does for sinners.

(MacArthur’s New Testament Commentary was used in preparing this message.) The Scandal of Grace In this series, we’ve been learning about the topic of grace. As we look at how Jesus dealt with people and at some of His parables, we’re discovering that these “Grace Encounters” radically ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Follow When It’s Hard To Understand - John 6:60 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 14, 2025

Have you ever faced a moment when following Jesus simply didn’t make sense? When His Word cut across what the world calls “reasonable”? Maybe you’ve read something in Scripture and thought, “Lord, this is hard to understand!”

Go! And Follow When It’s Hard to Understand John 6:60 (NLT): “Many of his disciples said, ‘This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?’” Introduction: When Faith Doesn’t Make Sense Have you ever faced a moment when following Jesus simply didn’t make sense? When His Word cut across ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-68, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 6:63, Romans 8:6, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Suffering Saints

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jun 20, 2022

Suffering is hard to handle. It is easier when it is us going through it and not our loved ones, but it is still hard.

Suffering is hard to handle. None of us like it. Usually, we can handle it better in ourselves than having to watch friends and loved ones go through it. We were just like our children, and we ask why not only for ourselves but for others. If they're not careful, we try to inform others why ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-7, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Hebrews 12:5-17

Denomination: Baptist

Follow Me

Contributed by James Phillips on Jun 26, 2003

A command that Jesus has given to the world. It was hard to do then and just as hard today, but we must Follow Him!

Follow Me #1 A.1 MARK 1:1 20 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,"Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way; 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness,’Make ready the way of the Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 1:1-20

Denomination: Christian Church

Thanksgiving In Difficult Times

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Jul 31, 2010

THANKSGIVING SERMON This is an expositon of Daniel chapter six with an alliterated application. In 2007, America's longstanding fiscal carelessness came gushing to the surface for all to see. Many lost jobs, investments and homes. Yet in difficult times,

Thanksgiving in Difficult Times Daniel 6:10 November 18 and 25, December 2, 2007 Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Why Bad Things Happen To Good People Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Feb 15, 2019

Beginning a new series on life lessons we can learn from Job. It is always better to learn the easy way rather than the hard way.

Lessons from Job Series # 1 Why bad things happen to good people Job chapter one Introduction- We begin a new sermon series today and I am excited to see what God will do in our lives. When I put together this series, I was praying and hoping that we would learn life lessons that can be ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Nazarene

Powerful And Effective Prayer Series

Contributed by Floyd Steverson on Apr 6, 2017

Sermon from the series "Practical Christian Living" on powerful and effective prayer.

Powerful and Effective Prayer James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. 15 ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

23) – "Deliver Us From Evil” Series

Contributed by Brandon Max on Feb 4, 2022

Evil is an interesting concept because it’s a direct result and product of sin. Evil only exists and abounds in this world because of Satan. Through the example of The Lord's Prayer - Jesus taught His disciples to pray that they would be delivered from evil.

23) – “Deliver Us From Evil” Today, our search continues through the Bible for: “...those things most surely believed among us”. I ask that you all join me once again in Matthew Chapter 6, As we look once more to see what we believe about Prayer. In fact, today we are going to be looking once ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 6:13

Denomination: Baptist

Honoring Others Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Mark Perryman on Feb 23, 2007

Why is it so hard to honor others?

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

Scripture: Hebrews 13:18, Romans 13:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Our Great High Priest Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 9, 2018

When life gets hard, persevere in your confession, because Jesus is the Son of God; pray with confidence, because Jesus suffers with you; and obey with conviction, because you truly believe that Jesus is your complete Savior.

Some time ago, when I was looking up job descriptions for various positions in the church, I cam across these: PASTOR: Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. More powerful than a locomotive. Faster than a speeding bullet. Walks on water. Makes policy with God. ELDER: Able to leap short ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 5:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Words Are Full Of Power

Contributed by James Dina on Oct 4, 2020

When you speak, heaven begins to work because there is power in the words you declare. Every word that comes out of your mouth should be a word of life, to edify, motivate, and bring comfort.

WORDS ARE FULL OF POWER "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (Proverbs 18:21) “.....The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life..” (John 6:63) Words are full of power, both to wound and to heal, to break ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, Psalm 141:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Open Heart Surgery

Contributed by Christopher Glenn on Mar 31, 2012

What is the secret of success? It all depends on whom you ask. Hollywood would say, "A pretty face is the secret.” In D.C. they might say, “Knowing the right people is the keys. On Wall Street they would say, it takes “Financial clout and leverage.” Is th

“Open Heart Surgery” 1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 13:22 What is the secret of success? It all depends on whom you ask. Hollywood would say, "A pretty face is the secret.” In D.C. they might say, “Knowing the right people is the keys. On Wall Street they would say, it takes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Get Up Or Give Up?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 21, 2009

When we articulate our past, we are getting ready for a repeat performance. The choice is ours ~ rehearse the past failures OR the past victories. David chose not to continue living in the past. Will you also take that step?

Opening illustration: A young gentleman walked into the church that we were attending and ministering at in Massachusetts. He had decided to finish his life that night. His life had been in the fast lane, nothing had come out of it. He had been in numerous relations and being a lorry driver he had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:13-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am Created To Work Series

Contributed by David Lange on Sep 20, 2013

God created us with responsibilities. We are responsible to work and earn the bread that we eat.

I AM CREATED TO WORK We are told in the Scriptures that we cannot work to earn our salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. We cannot do enough works to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational