Sermons on The Exhortation To Prayer:

Epaphras' Wrestling Ministry

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 5, 2022

We usually think of prayer as peaceful, but Paul described Epaphras as “wrestling” in Col. 4:12 with the word “agonize.” The same word is translated as "STRIVE" in an Olympic event and as "FIGHT the good fight of faith!" Join the wrestling match!

EPAPHRAS' WRESTLING MINISTRY Col. 4:12 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Bonehead Bandits 1. Two teenagers robbed the Grandon City, Kansas public library. They raced up to the counter with an empty pillow case. “Put it in,” they demanded of the clerk. “Put what in?” “The money. Put it in and nobody’ll ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lord, Increase Our Faith, To Pray

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 11, 2022

John talks about having confidence in faith so that we pray.

10.16.22 1 John 5:13–15 13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence that we have before him: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Taking Time

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 18, 2022

Looking for solitude was a significant need for Jesus. We need to foster the control of investing energy alone with God. Spending time alone with God is necessary.

Looking for solitude was a significant need for Jesus (Matthew 14:13). He made room in his bustling timetable to be separated from everyone else and be with the Father. Investing energy with God in petition and prayer supports an imperative relationship and prepares us to address life's ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sleeping Through A Garden Moment

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 18, 2022

This is the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. No doubt we have all heard this story preached, read it ourselves, or seen movies regarding the Crucifixion of Christ. He was the perfect Son, in perfect union, with the perfect Father.

Was Jesus attempting to escape the performance of his undertaking? Jesus was communicating his actual sentiments however he did not deny or oppose God's will. He reaffirmed his desire to do what God needed him to do. His petition features the awful enduring he needed to suffer, and desolation ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42, Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Asking, Seeking, Knocking

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 19, 2022

We have quit asking, we have quit seeking, and we have not knocked for so long that we have forgotten where the knocker is!

We have quit asking, we have quit seeking, and we have not knocked for so long that we have forgotten where the knocker is! What do I mean by that sentence? Well, when is the last time we actually talked to God the Father, petitioning him due to some circumstantial issue that might involve either ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:9-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed (2004)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Oct 20, 2022

Jesus’ taught His disciples then as He teaches His disciples today how to pray what has become the known as Lord’s Prayer. We are friends of God and we are also His adopted children. “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.

A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED Text: Luke 11:1-13 “A youngster in Connecticut, not understanding the words of the Lord’s Prayer was overheard saying, “Our Father who art in New Haven how did you know my name?” (Williams P. Barker ed. Tarbell’s Teaching Guide. 86th Annual Volume. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Do I Have To Pay Someone To Teach Me How To Pray?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 22, 2022

Why would anyone need to pay to learn how to pray when it is clear that the Lord told us how in the Bible?

I recently read an article where someone was charging people nearly $1500.00 to attend a seminar on how to learn to pray. Let us look at Luke 11:1-13. 1. And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13, Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

All, For The One (2006)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Oct 23, 2022

Their effectiveness as Jesus' disciples would not happen by default. They would always have to work at it and pray about it.

ALL, FOR THE ONE Text: Mark 9:38-50 “One of the highlights of the college freshman biology class was the monthly feeding of a caged rattlesnake kept in the laboratory. One time, the entire class gathered around the cage and, in complete silence, watched as the feeding took place. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Denomination: United Methodist

The Punishing Rod Part 3 Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 28, 2022

Here Habakkuk’s prayer is like a psalm in which he is asking for God to remember mercy in his wrath as he revives his works

Here Habakkuk’s prayer is like a psalm in which he is asking for God to remember mercy in his wrath as he revives his works. Habakkuk offers praise for the past deliverances of God when he brought salvation to his people and the wicked received judgment. Habakkuk gives his profession of faith. He ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pleading For God's Mercy Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Oct 30, 2022

What is the only basis for your prayer for mercy? When you’ve been emptied of all pride, when you’ve given up trying to earn the LORD’s favour or to fix your life, then your only hope really is this: God has made you his own in Jesus Christ.

In our text Isaiah is praying. Praying is a normal thing for us, but let’s appreciate what the prophet is doing here. In this book of prophecy, there’s all kinds of different styles of writing. In Isaiah there are speeches, parables, lamentations, hymns of praise, predictions of the future, ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Praying Prophet Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 1, 2022

Jonah prays from inside the great fish. When we realize that God wants us to accomplish something, we ought not to run.

Fear the God – Respect 2:1-9 At the beginning of chapter 1, we see Jonah as The Protesting Prophet. He did not want to go to Nineveh as directed by God. It is noted in verse three that he “rose up to flee…from the Presence of the Lord.” Jonah had sinned by running from God. However, we can see ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Passing The Test Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 3, 2022

We all have faced and will face many tests. How we manage those tests depends on us.

We all have faced and will face many tests. How we manage those tests depends on us. Some tests we study for, as in academic. As believers, we should be studying our Bibles continually, which means we are to read it. Some tests we prepare for, as in medical tests. These we do not study for but ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Oh, To Be Blessed

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 4, 2022

Undoubtedly everyone has heard the story of Jabez. We are not told anything remarkable about Jabez other than that he prayed. The only way for anyone to be truly great is by seeking God's will, and to do that one must pray earnestly and fervently.

Undoubtedly everyone has heard the story of Jabez. There have been countless sermons, articles, opinions stated, and books covering the topic of the prayer of Jabez. I am not wanting to add to that list but as I was researching for a sermon out of the book of 1 Chronicles, I landed upon this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Do We Prepare Ourselves For Spiritual Struggles? Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 7, 2022

We are to prepare ourselves for battles that we will soon face.

In chapter one, we see God’s charge to Joshua and how Joshua readies the people to enter the Promised Land. In chapter two, we learn how Rahab safeguards the spies. In chapter three, the children of Israel cross the Jordan River. In chapter four, the people assemble a monument to God. In chapter ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Do We Know That The Spiritual Battle Is Not Ours? Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 7, 2022

When we face a battle where the enemy is fierce, how can we let God fight for us?

How do we fight when we see that an enemy is so great? How do we let go and not fight when we feel that we must? Our message today comes from during a time when Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, saw a great multitude come against him and the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat called to the people to get ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible