Sermons on Praying Hard:

From Palms To Passion: The Rollercoaster Of Redemption

Contributed by Mark Zorn on Apr 9, 2025

Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday are two sides of the same coin, and we’re going to flip it today—hard.

Introduction: I say good afternoon to you. Today is a day of extremes. We begin with celebration and end with heartbreak. It’s like watching your favorite team win the championship only to see them stripped of the title the next day. Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday are two sides of the same coin, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Harvest Is Plentiful

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jul 12, 2010

The Harvest Is Plentiful 1) Pray for workers. 2) Thank the workers.

It won’t be long now before you can start picking berries. If you don’t have raspberry of saskatoon bushes of your own, you can always stop by one of those farms that let you pick berries from their bushes. Some of these farms are so big that it doesn’t seem as if they could ever ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

When Lilfe Sucks Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on May 19, 2015

Let's face it - sometimes life just plain sucks. It is, as little Annie sang, a hard knock life.

“Getting Into Shape: When Life Sucks” Job 1:1-2:10; 38:1-3; 42:1-5 Let’s face it – sometimes life just plain sucks; it draws all the energy and strength out of us as we work hard at just trying to survive. Little Annie was right: “It’s a hard knock life.” ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Intercessory Prayer

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Jul 17, 2021

The following sermon is going to examine the Lord's command to love and to pray for our neighbors: our fellow believers, our country's leaders and yes even our enemies!

Intercessory Prayer Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 “A classic definition of Christian prayer is “an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of His ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16, Matthew 22:36-40, Ephesians 1:15-23, Hebrews 7:25, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Romans 13:1-5, Matthew 5:43-48, 1 Corinthians 2:10-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Going Deep And Getting Close Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Dec 1, 2004

4th of 4 on Friendship with God. How to get deep and close to God. The secret is not as hard as you may think.

Going Deep and Getting Close 1 Thess 5:16-18 16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray continually, 18 and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus. Paul writes to Christians in Thessalonica and encourages them to "pray without ceasing". This kind of prayer is less about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Words Of Wisdom

Contributed by Michael B. Perrott on Nov 1, 2008

Jesus’ words about servanthood are a call for the church to offer freedom to those that are suffering with ’Heavy burdens, hard to bear’

Matthew 23:1-12 ‘Words of Wisdom’ 1. In my study I have a pin-board on the wall, with notes of things I need to do (and should have done!) and with schedules for meetings, preaching rotas, lists of lectionary readings – and most importantly (amongst all the day-to-day things) my ‘Words of Wisdom’ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Positives Of Persistence And Perils Of Pride In Prayer

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 18, 2003

How we pray and what we pray have a big connection. Jesus’ gives us great insight into what God wants in a good prayer.

Praying Outside the Box Do you remember your first prayers? As a child, learning to pray, I never remember having a class or hearing a list of instructions about prayer, do you? I do remember being told to say, “In Jesus Name, Amen.” But most of what I learned about praying as a child came from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking For Love In All The Right Places Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Oct 18, 2004

Believers can pray that their lost family/friends’ eyes would be opened to the gospel. Part 2 of 5 of the Praying Your Family and Friends to Christ Series.

Praying Our Lost Friends & Family To Christ Series Looking For Love In All The Right Places (2 of 5) 2 Cor 4.3-4 NASB October 17, 2004 Chester, Illinois Chester FBC Mike Fogerson, Speaker (The "HEART" acronym that is being used for this series is taken from Chris Schofield, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

How To Minister To People Of Different Ministry Maturity Levels

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 14, 2004

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Eph. 6:18)

How to Minister to People of Different Ministry Maturity Levels Eph. 6:18 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Illustration: Many people prayed for God to use the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Unjust Judge Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Aug 10, 2009

This parable is about persistence in praying but not about praying the same prayer persistently to get what we want. It is about sticking with prayer and with God no matter what!

The Parables of Jesus The Unjust Judge Luke 18:1-8 August 9, 2009 Here we have another parable with a theme of prayer. Like the parable of the BFF @ midnight, this parable is NOT praying the persistently the same prayer badgering God to get what we desire. In fact, NO WHERE in scripture is this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

Take The Plank Out Of Your Eye

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jan 27, 2014

Before we start speaking to an unbeliever, we need to pray, often in secret without saying a word to the person we are praying for in our prayer closet.

Take the plank out of your eye! Luke 6:41, 42 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, ’Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:41-42

Denomination: Pentecostal

Prayer Guide For Our Veterans

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Nov 10, 2020

Jesus said there will be war until the end of time. The Bible tells us to pray on all occasions. We have the privilege to follow the example Samuel, pray!

Prayer Guide for Our Veterans 1 Samuel 12:23, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord for failing to pray for you. Samuel was married and had a family. (1 Samuel 12:2) He had served as priest (1 Samuel 7) and Judge (1 Samuel 7:16; Acts 13:20) and he was a prophet. (Acts ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Full Court Press Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 1, 2007

When Jesus went to the Garden, He didn’t go alone. He took His friends with Him because this was a "full court press" kind of praying that He intended to do.

(We showed “full court press” schematics on the overhead. We found them at http://cldj.tripod.com/221fc.html) OPEN: Up on the screen you’re going to see a few basketball diagrams. Does anybody know what basketball strategy these diagrams are illustrating? (full court press) According to “Maven’s ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not A Fan: Are You A Fan Or A Follower? Series

Contributed by Kyle Idleman on Sep 24, 2010

Kyle Idleman of Southeast Christian Church asks the hard questions about our level of commitment to Jesus and the faith.

D –T –R. Some of you will recognize what these letters stand for. How many of you know what the letters DTR stand for? For a young man in a relationship, these letters strike fear in their hearts. They dread the DTR talk. It makes single men so uncomfortable they will only use the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, Luke 10:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Wants To Be Your Attitude Transplant Donor Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Oct 26, 2004

We need to pray that our lost family and friends will have God’s attitude toward sin. Part 3 of 5 of the Praying Your Family and Friends to Christ series.

Praying Your Friends & Family To Christ Series (3 of 5) God Wants To Be Your Attitude Transplant Donor Habakkuk 1.13a October 24, 2004 Chester FBC, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: I read a Perfect Story This week about a perfect man & a perfect woman who had a perfect ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:13

Denomination: Baptist