Podcasts about pray confidently

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Family Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Luke 11:5-13 Pray Confidently Subtitle: Luke Speaker: Aaron Wright Broadcaster: Grace Family Baptist Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 12/10/2023 Bible: Luke 11:5-13 Length: 49 min.

Have you ever wondered how to pray for missionaries in today's world? In this episode, we speak to a missionary, Nicole Moses, who shares her experiences and insights on global evangelism. We delve into why we sometimes neglect to pray for global missions, and how we can pray more effectively for missionaries by relating to them personally. Join us as we explore the world of missions and gain a deeper understanding of how we can be involved in God's work around the globe.Nicole Moses and her family live and work in Sierra Leone, West Africa. They left their small-town Texas life for long-term service with unreached people in rural areas. She homeschools her 4 children and works as a pediatric occupational therapist alongside her husband Geoffrey, a family medicine physician. They've both learned the power of prayer in difficult and discouraging situations and strive to be a persistently prayerful person, drawn from the parable in Luke 18:1-8.  Highlights from today's episode:Missionaries are just regular people, tooWhy we don't pray more for global evangelismHow can we start praying for missions and the worldThe importance are praying for church plantersNicole's biggest obstacles in prayerWhy prayer is our biggest frontline defenseThings mentioned in today's episode:Sample Journal SheetOperation WorldJoshua ProjectBusiness as Missions (BAM)Nicole's InstagramWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our 2024 linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Lisa Whittle is the author of eight books and a sought-after Bible teacher. A pastor's daughter and longtime ministry leader in issues relevant to the church, Lisa is the founder of Ministry Strong and the popular Jesus over Everything podcast, which debuted in the top twenty-five Christian podcasts. Her love runs deep to see people pursue Jesus for life, grow deep roots of faith, and walk strong in the midst of a world that so often seems to have gone crazy. Lisa has done master's work in marriage and family counseling, is the co-founder of Called Creatives, and has been featured on numerous media outlets through the years. She and her family live in North Carolina.Latest Book: Lisa Whittle pens God Knows, her third and final installment of a trilogy (Jesus Over Everything, The Hard Good), offers readers a path toward rest and calm for anxious times with the book of Nahum as a guide.Lisa's Website I InstagramHighlights from today's episode:1:43 Lisa's current prayer routine9:44 Info on Lisa's book God Knows15:53 How knowing God's character effects prayers23:50 How Lisa's biggest no turned into the best yes26:35 Ways Lisa longs to grow her prayer lifeThings mentioned in today's episode:Jesus Over Everything by Lisa WhittleGod Knows by Lisa WhittlePray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerThe Hard Good by Lisa WhittleWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Today, we're talking all about recognizing the stages of grief. Plus, how to pray through each one. No matter what stage of grief you're in, it's so important to turn to God. Hopefully, these topics will help you put your own words into prayer during your most desperate times.Highlights from this episode:DenialAngerBargainingDepressionAcceptanceAs we carry on...Things mentioned in today's episode:Spingboard Prayers by Valerie WoernerSuffering Is Never for Nothing By Elizabeth ElliotWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Ashlee helps grieving women find hope and joy, even in the mourning. Ashlee is the founder of The Morning, an organization that provides helpful resources and community for women who have experienced the loss of a baby and she is host of The Joyful Mourning Podcast. Ashlee spends her days in sunny Florida, loving her husband Aaron, mothering their four children here on earth – Andrew, Asher, Adelee & Annie; while remembering and honoring her son in heaven, Aaden Sage Proffitt.The Morning Website I Ashlee's InstagramHighlights from today's episode:6:53 How The Morning is impacting others11:55 Ashlee's current prayer routine25:17 How to pray when you are experiencing grief36:42 What Ashlee tells moms who experience loss41:40 The importance of other's prayers while grievingThings mentioned in today's episode:PNW Ep: 69 How to make prayer a lifestylePrayer by EM BoundsWalking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim KellerWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

How much would change if we prayed how we really want to pray? We are going to talk this season about what it looks like to invite God into every part of our lives. We are going to figure out how to do it practically this season and tune in to our most important conversation, prayer.Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

When anxiety hits me, few things can reach my heart like prayer. That seems to be the case for two reasons:It's a moment when I get to remind myself of what is eternal because part of anxiety, for me at least, is struggling to grasp a sound mind and being rational.The other part is not being able to grasp what is rational even though I may know it in my head because anxiety can be very physical. Breaking through this is only possible when I invite the Lord in. Today, I thought I'd share some of the verses like to turn to.Things mentioned in today's episode:15 verses to pray through anxiety blog postWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Heidi Lee Anderson is a writer, speaker, and stay-at-home mom. After being diagnosed with cancer, Heidi's fuel is now to make sure that Christ-followers realize, know, and claim the sure promises God offers—in the mundane, amid the heartache, and on top of the highest mountains. She is the author of P.S. It's Gonna Be Good releasing April 4, 2023, and currently available for pre-order.Heidi's Website | Heidi's InstagramWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

If prayer is talking to God and listening to God, then what happens during that time could change the trajectory of every decision we make throughout the day, every conversation we have, whether we stop and serve a friend or stranger in need, what thoughts take root in our mind, the attitudes we carry and so much more. We make roughly 35,000 decisions a day. Can you imagine if even a fraction of those were decided out of prayer? In today's episode, I'll give you some practical examples of how I pray, talk about how we can make prayer a reality in our day-to-day and share some resources that can help you make it happen.Things mentioned in today's episode:A Month in the Life of a Prayer from the blogPrayer Group Leader's Guide 30-Minute prayer methodPray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie Woerner Developing a Fluency in Prayer CourseWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Kara Bryant has worked with Val Marie Paper for the past 5.5 years, primarily as an Integrator. She lives in West Texas with her husband and two little ones.Highlights from today's episode:8:12 Kara's current prayer routine15:15 What is a lifestyle of prayer?24:05 How do we cultivate a lifestyle of prayer?30:00 What does a lifestyle of prayer look like?35:02 The biggest challenges in Kara's prayer life46:00 Kara's recent answered prayers49:41 How prayer was modeled for KaraThings mentioned in today's episode:Springboard Prayers by Valerie WoernerPraying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jodie BerndtA Heart Exposed by Steven JamesPrayer Journal by Val Marie PaperLed, Not Driven by Valerie WoernerDeveloping a Fluency in Prayer CourseAdagio Evening Prayer JournalPray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

A person can declare an exhortation to have confidence in the Lord, but one can't give an impartation of confidence. Confidence is grown in the secret place of prayer.

A person can declare an exhortation to have confidence in the Lord, but one can't give an impartation of confidence. Confidence is grown in the secret place of prayer.

Today, we're taking a new approach to the solo episodes for the podcast. We've done tons of how to's to practically help prayer happen in your life but now we want to start tackling some questions you might wrestle with about prayer. So today we're going to start with asking if we can pray wrong prayers. And if so, does God ever give us what we want even if it's wrong? And if so, how do we have any confidence coming to God if we fear messing up? Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Amy Gannett is a writer and Bible teacher passionate about equipping Christians to study the Bible through The Bible Study Schoolhouse. She is also the founder of Tiny Theologians, a line of discipleship tools for children. Amy and her husband, Austin, are church planters in Eastern North Carolina. You can read more from her on her blog and follow her on Instagram.Amy's Instagram | Tiny Theologians WebsiteHighlights from today's episode:3:20 Amy's prayer routine10:30 How she physically prays15:30 What is theology?22:40 How does theology affect how we pray26:30 Truths we should know about God for prayer35:00 What room is there for mystery as we pray?40:00 The biggest “no” Amy's received44:45 How prayer was modeled growing up47:30 How Amy wants to grow in prayerThings mentioned in today's episode:Fix Your Eyes by Amy GannettPrayer Journals by Val Marie PaperWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Today, we're covering 6 specific things we can add to our prayer journals when it comes to work. Plus, I'm adding in a 7th for business owners. No matter what kind of work you do, whether it's in the home or out of the home, this is for you!Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

Michelle loves reminding women of the gospel-centered purpose for their work - both at home and in their careers. She serves alongside her husband, James, at Biltmore Church in Asheville, NC and loves making family memories with their three kids - Noah, Cole and Shea. She co-leads a ministry for working women called She Works His Way with her best friend, Somer Phoebus. Their book, She Works His Way: A Practical Guide to Do What Matters Most in a Get Things Done World is a great first step to connect with the SWHW mission. You can also join their network at sheworksHisway.com. Michelle's Instagram | She Works His Way WebsiteHighlights from today's episode:3:30 Michelle's prayer routine9:30 What to pray for our work20:30 How we can rethink our usual prayers22:00 A practical prayer tip28:00 How not to get ahead of GodThings mentioned in today's episode:She Works His Way by Michelle Myers and Somer PhoebusFamous in Heaven and at Home by Michelle MyersPrayer Journal by Val Marie PaperConversational Commentary on Ecclesiastes by Michelle MyersWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Last week, I had Jordan Raynor on the podcast talking about how to redeem our time in prayer. I started thinking about some practical tools to help redeem your time in prayer but many, we've shared throughout previous how to's and ultimately there was one idea that stood out about the rest. The best way to redeem our time in prayer is to understand what we're doing when we pray. Allow me to unpack that super vague and maybe obvious statement.Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Health anxiety can feel as common as breathing. Underneath every new sensation in the body is the question, “Could that be serious?” There's no twitch, sharp pain or symptom that doesn't cause a bit of uneasiness if only under the surface. It's hard to be naturally joyful when that headache feels “different” today like it could be a brain aneurysm or something else serious. It's hard to be optimistic when you feel like a magnetic charge is pulling you to every disease or disorder. The Lord has taken me on an incredible journey through health anxiety. I've conquered many of the things that used to stress me out, like that side pain that lasts a few days, or the blurry vision that's just a result of a dry contact. I've graduated to a new level of learning to trust God through longer term health issues that seem to have no concrete explanation.Today, I wanted to share how I pray for health anxiety in hopes it will help you too, but I also hope what I share will help those who know someone with it so I can maybe put into words this struggle.Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

Jaime lives in Southcentral Alaska with her husband, three children, one black lab and two lizards.She is an award-winning Christian author as well as the content producer and co-host of the Praying Christian Women podcast. You'll often find her camping with family and friends during the fleeting Alaskan summer, while winters are spent as a full-time hockey mom of three.Jaime enjoys roasting and drinking coffee, and is attempting to become an expert at latte art (it's not as easy as it looks!). She enjoys listening to audio books or podcasts while doing housework, but otherwise cannot multi-task to save her life.Highlights from today's episode:2:30 Jaime's current prayer routine5:15 How Jaime prays8:30 What is health anxiety?16:15 How prayer impacted her health anxiety23:20 Where Jaime is at now with her journey29:00 A starting place when anxious about health38:00 The biggest obstacles in Jaime's prayer life44:00 How Jaime longs to grow in her prayer lifeThings mentioned in today's episode:Jaime's article on health anxietyPraying Christian Women podcastWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

If I'm honest, I want to believe that God will heal every person who has enough faith. In my book, “I've got the faith, so bring on the healing.” But as I've read Scripture, I've come to the conclusion that healing these earthly bodies is not something God has promised us. And the more I've studied, the less that scares me and the more I see the purpose in it. Today, I want to share with you what I have learned about praying for something as complicated as healing. Scripture mentioned in today's episode: Psalm 139:14 - I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.James 1:2-4 - Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.Romans 8:6 - For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.1 Peter 2:24 - He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.2 Corinthians 4:17 - For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.1 Peter 4:1 - Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.Isaiah 26:3 - You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

These days, Chick-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby are the odd ones out when it comes to closing your business down one day a week. And even more rare is an online shop “closing” for a day. But, that's exactly what Valerie Woerner does each week for her business Val Marie Paper. Today, she joins me on the Simply Sabbath podcast to discuss her experience with practicing Sabbath as a business owner.  About My Guest: Valerie Woerner's mission is to help women live intentional lives that are an outflow of a fruitful, focused prayer life. She is the author of several books, including Pray Confidently and Consistently, as well as the owner of Val Marie Paper, where she designs prompted prayer journals and other practical products that eliminate distraction and increase focus in prayer. Valerie lives in Lafayette, Louisiana with her husband, Tyler, and their two daughters. Visit her online shop at https://valmariepaper.com.    Connect with Valerie https://www.valmariepaper.com/welcome-to-vmp/  http://instagram.com/valmariepaper https://www.facebook.com/valmariepaper https://www.pinterest.com/valeriewoerner/  Monthly Pep Talk: http://www.valmariepaper.com/newsletter/    Connect with Rachel https://rachelfahrenbach.com  http://facebook.com/rachelfahrenbach http://instagram.com/rachelfahrenbach   Next Steps Learn more about the beautiful resources Valerie creates for our prayer life here: https://www.valmariepaper.com/welcome-to-vmp/ Get Valerie's book: Pray Confidently and Consistently: Finally Let Go of the Things Holding You Back from Your Most Important Conversation https://amzn.to/3QUQkUW  Want to start practicing Sabbath but don't know exactly where to begin? Start here: https://simplysabbath.com/sabbathguide/

Our spiritual and physical lives are deeply connected, but how and why does it matter? Val chats with functional nutritionals Meredyth Fletcher of Karpos Wellness about the science behind this connection, how we can practically pray over our bodies and health. Karpos Wellness is a creative and innovative approach towards holistic health with an emphasis on nutrient-dense whole foods as a foundation towards physical and emotional healingMeredyth's Website | Meredyth's InstagramHighlights from today's episode:3:25 Meredyth's current prayer routine7:00 How our spiritual life and physical health relate15:20 Praying for alignment in our bodies23:40 How do we not idolize our health29:00 Involving others in praying for your health33:40 Encouragement when struggling with health39:12 Why we may not experience immediate healingWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val has a book on prayer! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Prayer is powerful and an essential part of our spiritual growth, but many of us struggle with praying confidently or praying regularly. If prayer is conversation with God, why does prayer feel so hard sometimes? What gets in the way of having a consistent prayer time? Since prayer connects us with God, and connection with God changes our mindset, knowing how to pray confidently and consistently is incredibly important when it comes to managing negative thoughts and renewing our minds with God's truth. In today's episode you'll hear from Valerie Woerner, creator of a collection of prayer journals and author of Pray Confidently and Consistently: Finally Let Go of the Things Holding You Back from Your Most Important Conversations. Valerie has some great insights on how to overcome some of our biggest obstacles to consistent prayer, and how to pray confidently so that we can grow closer to God. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:[2:48] Valerie's ministry helping women connect with Christ through prayer[4:53] How prayer has helped Valerie to grow closer to God in the midst of spiritual obstacles[6:59] The mindsets that keep us from connecting to God through prayer[13:09] Using prayer to get closer to God after moving away from Him[17:52] Moving from a wishlist style of prayer to a conversation with God[21:32] Preventing emotions and fears from getting in the way of our prayers[25:25] Working through a conflicted connection with God in prayer[29:06] Four ways we feel distant from God during hard times[34:17] Making prayer a consistent habit[40:20] Connecting with God and praying confidently[42:13] Starting fresh in your relationship with the Lord[44:56] A prayer for us as we walk through this topic of prayerCONNECT WITH VALERIE:WebsiteInstagramBookENTER THE GIVEAWAY: WIN ONE OF VALERIE'S SIGNATURE PRAYER JOURNALS OR A COPY OF HER SPRINGBOARD PRAYERS BOOK.Follow @aliciamichellecoach and @valmariepaper on Instagram and you will see the entry details so you can enter the giveaway. Sign up for the “I Am Loved” Bible Study:Are you walking through a difficult season and really need to know that God is with you and that He loves you? Then, friend, I want to invite you to join me for the “I Am Loved” 4-Week Bible Study. The “I Am Loved” Bible Study is designed to help you not only grow closer to God but to learn HOW to hear His loving voice in your heart so that you can get a fresh perspective on your circumstances.This is an ON-DEMAND study, meaning you can start it just when you need it. Join me for this life-changing Bible study so you can...Experience confident joy as God's love renews your mindFind peace as God's love helps you release worry and fearRediscover hope as God's love offers a new perspective on life's trialsGo to VibrantChristianLiving.com/love right now to get this awesome, on-demand Bible study on God's love.

Today I invited a guest on the show and we're going to talk a lot about prayer. She's written a couple of books, she has a business around prayer and I am so excited to have Valerie Woerner on the podcast. Valerie's mission is to help women live intentional lives that are an outflow of fruitful, focused prayer life. She is the author of multiple books, including her latest "Pray Confidently and Consistently". She is also the host of the podcast Prayer In A Noisy World. She is the owner of Val Marie Paper where she designs prompted prayer journals and other practical products that eliminate distraction and increase focus in prayer. Valerie lives in Lafayette, Louisiana with her husband Tyler and their two daughters.   >>> Find Valerie on IG @valwoerner and @valmariepaper >>> https://www.valmariepaper.com/   >>> Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco >>> Connect with me online at jilliantedesco.co

Not sure where to start? This short prayer will guide you into a thoughtful prayer for your children.Reflect on this statement: God loves our kids more than we ever could. Confess focusing more on our kids' comfort than their holiness.Praise God for a joy and hope not dependent on circumstances.Lift up each child by name and what they are facing right now.Things mentioned in today's episode:The Blog at Val Marie PaperVal's Monthly PeptalkI hope you have enjoyed these short prayers! If you haven't listened to them all, scroll back and you'll find 20 prayers for different topics and needs. Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

This is one of those things that we know we can do more of, but besides just forgetting to do it, it's also hard to know what things to pray for. We either drill down on that one big thing that seems to overwhelm their lives right now, or we think of a million possible things to pray for and get paralyzed. Today, I hope to share a few tips that remove the paralysis and add some vibrancy to our prayers for our kids. Things mentioned in today's episode: How to teach your kids to pray by Valerie WoernerA practical method for teaching your kids to pray by Valerie WoernerPraying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jodie BerndtThe Prayer Saturated Family by Cheryl SacksPrayer Saturated Kids by Cheryl SacksPrayer Journal by Val Marie PaperKid's Legacy Prayer JournalWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

As believers, we often struggle to let go of the things that keep us from reaching out to God. Valerie Woerner is on the show today teaching us that we don't have to limp through our prayer lives carrying the weight of every distraction. We can learn to pray boldly to the God of the universe who is beckoning us to come sit with him, share our needs and our hearts, and simply know him. Prayer invites action into our lives by the God who is more powerful than we are on our own. What weights do we need to take off so they don't hold us back from a deeper conversation with God? What distractions are holding us back from running freely with our Father? Let's get rid of the burdens that are suffocating our prayer lives and leaving us gasping for Jesus so we can experience true joy in prayer that we never thought possible. Because, ultimately, prayer changes everything. A vibrant, unstuck prayer life can begin for you right now. “We can love other people by lifting people up in prayer.” Connect with Valerie: www.valmariepaper.com Prayer in a Noisy World podcast

We long to leave a lasting impression on our kids, but when we partner with the Lord in prayer, it's actually possible! Val visits with Laura Wifler of Risen Motherhood about her own personal prayer life as well as how she's prayed for and seen God work in the life of her kids. You'll walk away from this conversation feeling encouraged that prayer makes a difference, even if it's not exactly visible from the start.Laura Wifler is the co-founder of Risen Motherhood and serves as the executive director and co-host of the podcast. She is the co-author of the bestselling book, Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope For Everyday Moments and the author of the children's book, Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer. Laura, her husband, and her three children live in central Iowa.Laura's Website | Laura's InstagramHighlights from today's episode:[2:20] Laura's current prayer routine[7:20] How Laura prays for her kids[12:09] Praying for the spiritual lives of our kids[17:30] The difficulty of trusting God with our kids[21:30] The biggest prayers Laura prays for her kids[26:00] Laura's biggest answered prayer[38:35] How prayer was modeled for Laura as a child[41:18] How Laura wants to grow in her prayer lifeThings mentioned in today's episode:Risen Motherhood by Laura Wifler and Emily JensenAny Time, Any Place, Any Prayer by Laura WiflerPrayer Journal by Val Marie PaperWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

Praying for our spouse might be the single most important thing you can do for them! Here is a short, guided prayer to get started.Confess any ways you seek satisfaction from your spouse that can only come from God.Ask God for wisdom to know when to speak, what to speak and how to speak.Acknowledge any wounds that still need healing and pray for a heart of forgiveness.Praise God for how he has knit y'all as one and get excited for how God can use y'all together for his kingdom.VERSES:Romans 1:25 (NLT)Ecclesiastes 4:12Jeremiah 31:25Proverb 27:17If you enjoyed this prayer, it has been adapted from my book Springboard Prayers. If you were encouraged by it and would like 124 other prayers to read when you don't have the words, grab a copy at valmariepaper.com.Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

What if there was one thing you could do today, that would take just a few minutes, that would have an eternal impact on your spouse and your marriage, would you do it??I think we'd all say a resounding yes, but intentionally praying for our spouses is something that easily falls through the cracks of our overflowing days. In this episode, I want to share a few reasons we can't accept that excuse anymore.Things mentioned in today's episode: Famous in Heaven and at Home by Michelle MyersWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

This interview with author, Lisa Jacobson, will bring a new awareness to the importance of praying for your spouse and give you some inspiration for what to pray for and how to get started. We also get a glimpse into Lisa's personal prayer life, hearing about her personal routine and how she's seen God at work as she prays. Listen to the end for bonus encouragement on modeling prayer for our children.Lisa Jacobson is an author, a podcaster, and the founder of Club31Women.com, an online community of Christian women authors who write on marriage, home, family, and faith--a powerful voice for biblical womanhood. She is the author of the bestselling 100 Ways to Love Your Husband and co-author of the new release, The Flirtation Experiment. Lisa and her husband, Matt, are also cohosts of the popular FAITHFUL LIFE podcast. They live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest where they have enjoyed raising their eight children.Lisa's Website | Lisa's InstagramHighlights from today's episode:[2:20] Lisa's current prayer routine[6:00] How Lisa prays for her husband[7:50] How do you pray God's will, not your own?[10:00] A small way to get started praying for your spouse[12:45] How Lisa has seen God at work in her husband's life[14:09] When your spouse isn't a believer[16:11] A biggest “no” Lisa has received in prayer[20:30] How prayer was modeled for Lisa + modeling for others[30:00] How Lisa longs to keep growing her prayer lifeThings mentioned in today's episode:Praying when you can't sleepPrayer Journal by Val Marie PaperThe Flirtation Experiment by Lisa JacobsonWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

It's easy to make our prayer time all about ourselves. With this prayer, we're opening ourselves up to however God may want to use us to pray for others.Lift up the things on your mind that make it hard to pray for others.Ask God for a burden for someone today.Confess anyone you haven't forgiven and lift up a prayer for them.Praise God for the opportunity to pray for others.VERSES:Ephesians 6:18Matthew 5:44Colossians 1:9If you enjoyed this prayer, it has been adapted from my book Springboard Prayers. If you were encouraged by it and would like 124 other prayers to read when you don't have the words, grab a copy at valmariepaper.com.Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Join your friend Jeanette as she sits down with Val Woerner. Val discusses her new book Pray Confidently and Consistently. Jeanette and Val discuss what a healthy prayer life looks like, why we need to be in regular contact with the Lord and how to ensure we are doing that. Val has joined us for coffee three times now and I hope that if you haven't listened to our previous conversations you will go listen now!TFC Ep 159 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-time-for-coffee/id1355530534?i=1000513390941TFC Ep 55 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-time-for-coffee/id1355530534?i=1000434408681Links from today's show:Want a free month of audible?! https://www.audibletrial.com/timeforcoffeeJoin our email community https://bit.ly/3FUVvzGGet your copy of Val's Book https://amzn.to/3qrsiqRFollow Val on IG

If I asked you how much of your prayer time was devoted to prayers for others, would you feel timid to answer? The reality is, many of us are very good at coming to the Lord in prayer. After all. We have so many personal needs that we can think of with barely a thought. But pray for others? That seems a bit more difficult.In this episode, we're breaking down about 4 burdens we need to have as an intercessor and 4 practical ways to start praying for others!Things mentioned in today's episode: The Blog at Val Marie PaperWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

In this episode, we're kicking off a three-episode series on praying for others. Author, Jodie Berndt, helps us introduce this subject of intercession. Listen in for inspiration from Jodie's own life experiences as well as practical tips on standing in the gap for others.Jodie Berndt is a popular speaker and the author of ten books, including the bestselling Praying the Scriptures series for Children, Teens, and Adult Children. Jodie has been a guest on shows like Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and the Don't Mom Alone podcast, and her writing has been featured on Fox News, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and in several family and parenting magazines. A former television producer and on-air personality, Jodie has been married to her UVA sweetheart, Robbie, for 35 years. They have four adult children and live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Jodie's Website | Jodie's InstagramHighlights from today's episode:[5:15] Jodie's current prayer routine[11:19] What is intercessory prayer?[13:04] What's possible when we pray beyond ourselves[20:45] How to let someone know you're praying for them[22:55] Asking others to pray for you[29:30] An answered prayer from Jodie's life[36:54] A time when God said no in Jodie's life[42:35] How prayer was modeled for Jodie[47:45] How Jodie hopes to grow her prayer lifeThings mentioned in today's episode:Praying the Scriptures book series by Jodie BerndtPrintable prayer calendars by Jodie BerndtPrayer Journal by Val Marie PaperMoms in PrayerPray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerPrayer by Timothy KellerWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

One of the hardest ideas for me to grasp about prayer is that God wants me to come to him with every complaint, doubt, or lament. Are we sure God wants to hear this? Didn't the Israelites get in trouble for grumbling and complaining? In this free audio sample from Val's book, Pray Confidently and Consistently, we explore these hard aspects of prayer that aren't often talked about.Want to pray more in 2022?Pair one of our prayer journals with Val's new book on prayer and you'll be set up to make prayer a priority.

In this episode, Val talks with author and She Works His Way founder, Michelle Myers, about what her own vibrant prayer life looks like in real life. She gives specific and practical examples of how praying continually is not passive, but exciting and active.Some highlights from today's episode:5:30 Michelle's prayer routine9:45 What she does when she's in a rut12:30 How you can pray with someone else16:30 How you can pray with your spouse or kids22:10 A refreshing way to pray28:12 The biggest answered prayers in Michelle's life31:07 The biggest “no's” Michelle has received36:24 How prayer was modeled for her as a child39:00 How Michell would like to grow her prayer lifeMichelle loves reminding women of the gospel-centered purpose for their work - both at home and in their careers. She serves alongside her husband, James, at Biltmore Church in Asheville, NC and loves making family memories with their three kids - Noah, Cole and Shea. She co-leads a ministry for working women called She Works His Way with her best friend, Somer Phoebus. Their book, She Works His Way: A Practical Guide to Do What Matters Most in a Get Things Done World is a great first step to connect with the SWHW mission. You can also join their network at sheworksHisway.com. She Works His Way website | She Works His Way InstagramThings mentioned in today's episode:Famous in Heaven and at Home by Michelle MyersShe Works His Way by Michelle Myers and Somer PhoebusPrayer Journal by Val Marie PaperSpringboard Prayers by Valerie WoernerEvery Moment HolyPray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

Whether you begin this year with trepidation or excitement, here is a prayer for the journey ahead.Praise God for all the exciting things you are looking forward to.Confess anything in your future that gives you a reason to worry.Remove any shame and instead rejoice in God's mercy.Share with God your hopes for the new year.Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

This episode is for anyone who is tired of having “pray more” on their list of goals or resolutions for a new year. We want to offer you a new way to move the needle in this all-important goal. Praying more isn't simply a good idea for some. It has the power to change everything. It has the power to change our circumstances, our families and mostly, our heart. Those are no small things.So because of that, we're going to be a little obvious today about what we think will help you pray more in the new year. ;)Things mentioned in today's episode: Prayer Journal by Val Marie PaperFull Focus Planner (affiliate link)YouTube journal tutorialVMP Society Facebook groupOur add-on Starter PackWant a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

In this episode, Val talks with several actual Val Marie Paper prayer journal users. Here are some of the questions we'll hear answered:What frustrations led you to want to try a prayer journal?How long have you been using this prayer journal?How has using the journal helped you grow in your prayer life?What has changed in your prayer life over the years?What is something you're learning right now?In what ways do you long to keep growing your prayer life?What would you tell someone who wonders if this could work for them?Hanna Broom lives in Alexandria, LA with her husband and toy poodle. She is involved in her church and other local Catholic women's organizations and is the marketing manager at a growing agency called Ugly Mug Marketing. Katie Hilbert is a writer and editor living in Cleveland, Ohio. She loves oat milk lattes, collecting more books than she can ever possibly read, and encouraging women to live lives full of hope and possibility.Kaytie Rich is the owner of More Than Wildflowers - a small online boutique seeking to make the wonderful Christian resources from the USA more affordable and accessible to those in Australia and New Zealand. She is blessed to raise two beautiful children, Milani and Franklin, with her husband Adam.Amanda Nevins is a believer, a wife, a homeschool mama of 4. She loves gardening, cooking, reading, beach walks, teaching the Bible, and time with her family.Things mentioned in today's episode:Prayer Journals by Val Marie PaperPray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerPray Specifically by Phylicia MasonheimerJoin Val for a live training!On Tuesday, December 27 at 7:30 PM CST, Val will be teaching a class on how to prep your prayer journal and overcome common obstacles. Sign up or catch the replay at www.valmariepaper.com/newyear.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Ever long to pray with focus but the smallest things pull your attention away from what is most important?Here is a guided prayer to help you fight the distractions:Share with the Lord your current distractions.Rest in God's goodness and reflect Psalm 23.Ask God to bring awareness.VERSES: Ephesians 5:16Mark 4:19Proverbs 4:25-27Romans 12:12This prayer has been adapted from my book Springboard Prayers. If you were encouraged by it and would like 124 other prayers to read when you don't have the words, grab a copy at valmariepaper.com. Also, if you'd like a prayer on slowing down, check out the end of episode 19 with Diana Kerr. She wrote a beautiful prayer on slowing down that I asked her to share and it has been so encouraging to me!Give an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

It feels like there are so many places to lose steam when it comes to prayer. Making time for prayer is always the first obstacle but often, we can FINALLY make time and then something silly distracts us. We end up carving out time for prayer and still not actually spending it praying. We've all been there, so first off, just know you are not alone!!In today's episode, I want to share 16 tips to help you get rid of distractions when you are praying.Things mentioned in today's episode: Prayer Journal by Val Marie PaperEpisode 2 on Increasing Your Attention Span7 reasons prayer feels boringGive an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Valerie Woerner's mission is to help women live intentional lives that are an outflow of a fruitful, focused prayer life. She is the author of multiple books including her latest, Pray Confidently and Consistently, and the host of the podcast, Prayer in a Noisy World. She is also the owner of Val Marie Paper, where she designs prompted prayer journals and other practical products that eliminate distraction and increase focus in prayer. Valerie lives in Lafayette, Louisiana with her husband, Tyler, and their two daughters.Follow Valerie:@valmariepaper(IG) Podcast - Prayer in a Noisy WorldPrayer Journal Shop - valmariepaper.comHER NEW BOOK - https://www.valmariepaper.com/books/pray/In this episode Valerie and I talk all about stewarding the platform of prayer with our creator and how powerful prayer is in all of our other platforms. We talk about how prayer is the vessel of communication with God and how it is the first defense in this crazy broken world. We talk about how prayer is the way to abide in His will as long as you are consistently knowing who He is by being in His word. You can't know Him truly, if you don't know His word and spend time with Him. Valerie also covers how we can be praying with the wrong motives and how we can adjust the posture of our hearts by knowing who God is. Valerie gives us a peek into her amazing testimony to how she came to know the Lord and how that has played a huge role in her gifts that He has entrusted to her. How this testimony and struggles she has walked through has molded how she stewards the platforms the Lord has entrusted to her.We talk about the platform of prayer, motherhood, writing, and the impact of prayer. We unpack some of the nitty gritty things that have taken place in the midst of trying to abide in His word all for Him and how she approaches this with prayer and a strong focus on the Lord. Grab a cup of coffee and come join us!DON'T MISS ANYTHING - SUBSCRIBE HEREVISIT OUR WEBSITE HERE Credits:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Just smile" by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Download / Stream: https://hypeddit.com/link/xxtopb--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode, we talk with author Jennifer Dukes Lee who has written a book called “Growing Slow”, about the slow growth that is essential to a thriving prayer life. She also gives us a glimpse into her personal prayer life and discusses one of the main concepts in her book, how our spiritual growth relates to the physical seasons.Jennifer Dukes Lee is the author of several books including Growing Slow and It's All Under Control. She also wrote the forward of my book Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday. She and her husband, Scott, live on the fifth-generation Lee family farm, where they are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. Jennifer's Website | Jennifer's InstagramSome highlights from today's episode:[1:37] Jennifer's current prayer routine[8:11] The benefits of slowing down in prayer[14:15] How Jennifer has had to be patient in prayer[20:20] A practical way Jennifer prays for her daughters[26:00] How seasons relate to our spiritual growth[34:00] The specifics of our “winter” growth[37:45] How Jennifer learned to pray[42:05] Where Jennifer would like to keep growing in prayerThings mentioned in today's episode:Growing Slow by Jennifer Dukes LeeGive an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

God has given us power over our thoughts. Throughout Scripture, He implores us to be alert and of sound mind because 1) it's possible and 2) it's powerful.Here is a guided prayer to get you started:Praise God that a renewed mind is possible.Confess thoughts that have led to destruction in the past.Think about what would be possible if you intentionally set your thoughts on truth.Ask God what thoughts are currently sabotaging your sound mind.VERSES: 1 Peter 5:8Romans 8:6Romans 12:22 Corinthians 10:5Give an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

There are some truths I hear that I think, I KNOW that, but if I actually lived constantly aware of it, my life would be vastly different. Things like if I remembered God's purpose for marriage, I would choose to serve my husband instead of nit-pick. If I remembered that God has called me to be an ambassador for my kids, I would take time to address the heart and not just change the behavior.Truth really does have the power to steer our days in a completely different direction so taking a deeper look at the words we speak to ourselves makes sense but to be honest, this topic feels like it's been a little hijacked by self-help experts. In today's episode, we're taking a look at affirmations from a biblical perspective by defining what they are and exploring how we can create our own!Things mentioned in today's episode: Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonaldEpisode 31 with Alicia MichelleThe Mindset Makeover course from Alicia MichelleEpisode 16 with Gretchen SafflesThe Signature Prayer ChallengeGive an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

In this episode, we talk with NeuroCoach and Bible teacher, Alicia Michelle about how the science of the mind plays a vital role in our prayer lives. She introduces us to what brain priming is, how it differs from affirmations, and how we can use it to embrace and live out God's truth in our lives. Alicia also gives us a glimpse into her personal prayer routine and how she's seen God work through prayer in her own life.Alicia Michelle is a certified NeuroCoach™, Bible teacher, speaker and host of the Vibrant Christian Living Podcast and YouTube Show. More importantly, she's a lover of Jesus, a wife of 20 years to her best friend, and mom of four amazing kids ages 18 to 9. Alicia struggled with overthinking, negative thoughts and “being enough” for most of her adult life until God radically transformed her heart after a life-threatening medical crisis. Now through her signature courses and coaching programs she loves equipping women with practical, scientific and biblically-based mindset tools to help them overcome negative thought patterns and discover more confident, joyful lives in Christ. Alicia's Podcast | Alicia's Website | Alicia's InstagramSome highlights from today's episode:7:00 The difference between brain priming and affirmations21:30 An exercise to start changing your mind today28:50 How our Christian faith intersects with the health of our mind35:20 A story of one of Alicia's biggest answered prayers43:00 How Alicia wants to grow in her own prayer lifeThings mentioned in today's episode:The Mindset Makeover course from Alicia MichellePray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerFree Workshop with Alicia MichelleGive an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

We're releasing this episode on Thanksgiving Day, however, this prayer is just about as “every day” as it gets! A heart of gratitude is essential for remembering who we are, who He is, and how we're meant to live.Here is a guided prayer to get you started:Picture yourself kneeling before our Almighty God and reflect on His power.Confess any ways you've forgotten you are His and tried to go your own way.Meditate on ways the Lord has been good to you.Pray for your future generations to know and worship God with thanksgiving.VERSES: Psalm 100Give an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

God is always working, but if we're not intentional about looking around, we just might miss it. Tracking how we see God work (even if it's not how we expected) builds our faith and leaves a legacy for those who come after us. In this episode, I'm sharing how you can start tracking answered prayers today.Things mentioned in today's episode: Prayer Journals by Val Marie PaperGive an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

In this follow-up to episode 22, Lindsay shares how she came to the decision to leave her former account, The Faith Feast, after 5 years investing in it. Val also shares her own experience with leaving the app.Give an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

In this episode, we talk with attorney Lindsay Ayers, about how prayer is an essential part of her legal career and life in Washington D.C. This conversation is sure to encourage you, whatever your calling, to see where God's at work and join Him by living prayerfully. Lindsay also shares what obedience practically looks like, discerning God's voice and pursuing mentoring relationships.Lindsay Ayers is a believer, daughter, sister and new auntie! She currently resides in Washington D.C. where she works as an attorney at a Christian Legal Aid Organization to serve low-income and homeless residents in D.C.Some highlights from today's episode:1:50 What Lindsay's prayer routine looks like right now6:05 How Lindsay prays over her work and her city, Washington D.C.12:50 What hearing God looks like in Lindsay's life24:30 Val's conviction about interceding for others33:30 Lindsay's experience with being mentoredThings mentioned in today's episode:Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla ShirerPrayer Journal by Val Marie PaperPray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerGive an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! 

Let's face it, sometimes we're just not feeling it. When I feel this way, one of the things I do is pray for God to give me the desire for prayer.Here is a guided prayer to ask God to restore your passion:Imagine what it would look like to be more passionate about prayerConfess how you've seen prayer beforeReflect on things that feel more important than praying and ask God to make you awareRemember the cross and what that means for your present--thank God for itVERSES: Matthew 6:33Ezekiel 36:26Psalm 51:12This prayer has been adapted from my book Springboard Prayers. If you were encouraged by it and would like 124 other prayers to read when you don't have the words, grab a copy at valmariepaper.com.Give an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop at shop.valmariepaper.com.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

Some of you love everything about the word routine and others of you are trying not to roll your eyes or hit delete too quickly. Shouldn't prayer be a bit more romantic than a routine? But here's the thing, planning your prayer time really just tells God that this matters to you and it's worth preparing in advance to make sure it still happens. Having a routine that helps us stay consistent can help us overcome that paralyzing feeling that comes when it's been a while since we're talked to God. In this episode,  let's get into the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY and HOW of creating a prayer routine.Things mentioned in today's episode: Pray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerPrayer Journals by Val Marie PaperOn the Blog: How to Make Time to PrayOn the Blog: 7 Reasons Prayer Feels BoringGive an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

In this episode, we talk with author Hannah Brencher, about why and how to create a habit of prayer. If you're wanting more consistency in your prayer life, you're going to love the practical nature of this episode. Hannah also gives us a glimpse into her prayer closet and the obstacles she's faced with her own prayer routine, personal answers from the Lord, history with prayer, and goals for the future.Hannah Brencher is a writer, TED Speaker, and mental health advocate with a heart for building leaders. She is the author of 3 best-selling books-Fighting Forward, Come Matter Here, and If You Find This Letter. She is the founder of More Love Letters--a global organization using the power behind social media to write and mail letters to strangers in need across the world. Named as one of the White House's “Women Working to Do Good,” Hannah and her work have been featured in publications such as CNN World News, the Wall Street Journal, Oprah.com, and Glamour. Hannah lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Lane and daughter Novalee.Hannah's Website | Hannah's InstagramThings mentioned in today's episode:Prayer Journal by Val Marie PaperDraw the Circle by Mark BattersonPray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerGive an intentional gift this holiday season.We've designed prayer journals for your bestie, mother-in-law, teachers, friend who's expecting, nieces and nephews, husband and more! Use the code NOISYWORLD for 20% off your purchase of three or more products from our shop at valmariepaper.com.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more!

If you've ever thought you'd be better at prayer by now and want a close communication with your Father which can transform even the most difficult moment of your life, this book can help start your journey.

In this noisy world, taking the time to stand in awe of the Lord feels almost impossible, but as we discussed in episode 22, adoration is essential and so beneficial to our prayer lives.Here is a guided prayer to kick off your personal adoration practice:- Share with the Lord the things that help you focus in a noisy world- Confess any pride that makes us seem bigger and God smaller- Reflect on God's might and the wonder of His hands- Take a minute to literally or figuratively kneel before the KingVERSES: John 3:30Psalm 145:5Hebrews 12:28-29This prayer has been adapted from my book Springboard Prayers. If you were encouraged by it and would like 124 other prayers to read when you don't have the words, grab a copy at valmariepaper.com.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide, and more! Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now!

Valerie Woerner is one of my favorite authors. Her writing is simple and practical and, for me, very relatable. So I was thrilled and nervous to interview her for this episode! She and I talked a lot about her new book, "Pray Confidently and Consistently", and because of that we got to talk a lot about prayer and how God's plan can be so much bigger and better than our plan often is. Val has written several books and also owns Val Marie Paper, a company that focuses on making prayer journals for everyone to help them connect better with God in prayer. You can find all her books and prayer journals here. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Val as much as I did! If you want to hear more about Val, you can follow her on instagram @valwoerner or @valmariepaper.

Over the last few years, I've made it a point to mostly always have a book in my currently-reading stack about prayer. This means I'm learning about prayer on an ongoing basis, and every few days I'm reminded of the importance of prayer. Today, I'm sharing 10 of my favorite reads + a little preview of what you can expect from each one.Things mentioned in today's episode: A Praying Life by Paul E. MillerThe Battle Plan for Prayer by Alex and Stephen KendrickE.M. Bounds' booksWhat Happens When Women Pray? by Evelyn ChristensonThe Prayer-Saturated Church by Cheryl SacksFresh Start Devotional by Valerie WoernerDiscerning the Voice of God by Priscilla ShirerSpringboard Prayers by Valerie WoernerPraying Scriptures over … by Jodie BerndtLove on It's Knees by Dick EastmanAdore by Sara HagertyPray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerIf you want to get the first two chapters of Pray Confidently and Consistently for free, head to valmariepaper.com and you'll see a pop-up. When you drop in your email, you'll also get our monthly peptalk which includes the current stack of books I'm reading!Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now!

In this episode, we talk with author Sara Hagerty about the importance of worshipping God as part of our prayer lives and how we can practically make it happen in even the smallest moments of our days.Sara is a wife to Nate and a mother of seven whose arms stretched wide across the expanse between the United States and Africa. After almost a decade of Christian life, she was introduced to pain and perplexity and, ultimately, intimacy with Jesus. God met her and moved her when life stopped working for her. And out of the overflow of this perplexity, came her writing, both on her blog and in her books – Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet & Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to be Noticed, and ADORE: A Simple Practice for Experiencing God in the Middle Minutes of Your Day, all three published by Zondervan.Sara's Website | Sara's InstagramThings mentioned in today's episode:Prayer Journal by Val Marie PaperPray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerYou Satisfy My Soul by Laura Hackett ParkAdore by Sara HagertyVal's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide, and more! Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now!

Time spent in the Lord's presence changes us, but so often we're going through the motions, rattling off things we need and not pausing long enough to experience all he has for us.Here's a simple and quick prayer to get you started: - Release everything and soak in God's presence- Tell God your desire for a life that flows from prayer- Confess ways you try to get by on your own- Praise God for his power and that He is with youVERSES: Exodus 34:29John 15:5This prayer has been adapted from my book Springboard Prayers. If you were encouraged by it and would like 124 other prayers to read when you don't have the words, grab a copy at valmariepaper.com.Val's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now!

I don't want to be a better “pray-er”. You heard me. I don't want to just get better at saying some prayers. I want it to transform my days and thereby transform my life. What would our days look like if they were an outflow of time we spent in God's presence? Can you imagine the difference? In this episode, I'm sharing 7 tips to start living a life that is a response to our time in prayer.Things mentioned in today's episode: Ep. 14 - How to practice silence and solitudePray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerVal's new book on prayer is now available! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order Pray Confidently and Consistently, get our no-fail leader's guide and more! Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now!

Sometimes we just don't know what to say in prayer! Thankfully, God has given us the Bible as a way to learn about prayer and to also hear the prayers of others. In today's episode, we're talking about a few techniques to incorporate the Bible into our prayer lives. Have you ever heard of the 3 R's? Things mentioned in today's episode: Developing a Fluency of Prayer courseStormie OmartianPray Confidently and Consistently by Valerie WoernerSpringboard Prayers by Valerie WoernerPraying the Scriptures for Your Life by Jodie BerndtPraying the Scriptures for your Children by Jodie BerndtAdore by Sara HagertyPraying through the Names of God by Tony EvansVMP Best of packVal's new book, Pray Confidently and Consistently, is out now!! Discover the 15 weights holding back your prayer life and how to practically overcome them! Grab your copy from Amazon or a signed copy from our VMP shop!Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! https://shop.valmariepaper.com/

In this episode, we talk to Gretchen Saffles from Well-Watered Women about how to incorporate the Bible into our prayer time, her biggest struggles with prayer and how she hopes to grow next in prayer!Gretchen Saffles is the founder of Well-Watered Women, an online ministry that reaches women worldwide with the hope of the gospel, and the author of The Well-Watered Woman: Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith. She has written several Bible studies and is also the creator of the Give Me Jesus quiet-time journal for women, a tool to help women study Scripture daily. Gretchen lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, Greg, and her two sons, Nolan and Haddon.Well-Watered Women shop | Well-Watered Women bookVal's new book, Pray Confidently and Consistently, is out now!! Discover the 15 weights holding back your prayer life and how to practically overcome them! Grab your copy from Amazon or a signed copy from our VMP shop!Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! https://shop.valmariepaper.com/

Why are these two words so important to our prayer life? In this episode we talk about why we want these things as well as 6 steps to get you unstuck and help you praying confidently and consistently. Things mentioned in today's episode: Pray Confidently and ConsistentlyThe Finishing SchoolVal's new book on prayer releases October 12! Pre-order 1 copy before release day and get the audio version for free. Pre-order 4 copies and get the free no-fail leader guide to lead a group through the book and launch an actual prayer group! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order and get bonuses. Want a journal designed to help you focus in prayer? Try our monthly format designed to be filled out once at the beginning of the month really intentionally. Then you can pick up daily to pray over several things on your list! Check out our brand new linen journals in the shop now! https://shop.valmariepaper.com/

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at www.prayingchristianwomen.com/journal today! This week's guest on the Praying Christian Women podcast is Valerie Woerner, author of Pray Confidently and Consistently: finally letting go of the things holding you back from your most important conversation. This book releases Tuesday October 12th and is jam-packed with great information to help you along in your prayer journey. With humor and wisdom, Valerie addresses so many of the questions about prayer you always wanted to ask - and in some cases may not even have known you had! Pull up a chair to join this fun and informative conversation about the things holding you back from the prayer life you know God has for you. You can connect with Valerie at https://www.valmariepaper.com. You can order (or preorder before Oct 12th!) Valerie's book on Amazon today!

I'm so excited to welcome back Val Woerner to the show this week! Val was the guest on Episode 50, where we talked a lot about building better prayer habits and specifically her book Springboard Prayers. We're back this week talking all about prayer again, which is good because I consider Val one of my go-to people when it comes to prayer. She creates the super practical and functional prayer journals my wife and I use (she has some for men as well), and all of her writing is centered around prayer and how to help make prayer the priority it needs to be in our life. She has a new book coming out on October 12 called Pray Confidently & Consistently, and I'm so excited for you to hear our conversation about prayer and her new book. Make sure you give Val a follow @valmariepaper on Instagram and Twitter and let her know you enjoyed hearing her on this episode! I'd also love for you to connect with me by visiting my website, coleclaybourn.com, and signing up for my newsletter. You can also find me on social media: Instagram: @coleclaybourn Twitter: @ColeClaybourn Also find me on Facebook at facebook.com/ColeDouglasClaybourn If you enjoyed this episode, you might enjoy these as well: Episode 50: Building Better Prayer Habits with Val Woerner Episode 47: Writing, Comparison, & Building Better Habits with Author Hannah Brencher Episode 44: Finding True Happiness with Pastor Derwin Gray --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/in-no-hurry/message

Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Maybe you feel too busy to pray, or quite honestly, you find prayer boring. No more boring prayers! Author of Pray Confidently and Consistently, Valerie Woerner is here to give us a primer on prayer. What did generations before us to do pray (and how can we follow in their footsteps)? Learn how to freshen up your prayer life and watch how God will move mountains in your life and family. Learn more about Valerie Woerner and her new book, Pray Confidently and Consistently. Watch Arlene's documentary, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words

Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Maybe you feel too busy to pray, or quite honestly, you find prayer boring. No more boring prayers! Author of Pray Confidently and Consistently, Valerie Woerner is here to give us a primer on prayer. What did generations before us to do pray (and how can we follow in their footsteps)? Learn how to freshen up your prayer life and watch how God will move mountains in your life and family. Learn more about Valerie Woerner and her new book, Pray Confidently and Consistently. Watch Arlene's documentary, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words

Can a podcast help you pray more? Valerie Woerner, the creator of Val Marie Paper prayer journals and author of Pray Confidently and Consistently sure thinks so! You'll get interviews that get you excited for prayer, how-to's that give you the practical tools, and guided prayers that bring the actual space. This is your offramp from the noise when it feels impossible to choose quiet!Val's new book on prayer releases October 12! Pre-order 1 copy before release day and get the audio version for free. Pre-order 4 copies and get the free no-fail leader guide to lead a group through the book and launch an actual prayer group! Go to valmariepaper.com/pray to order and get bonuses. Shop Val Marie Paper formatted prayer journals. 

Jonah praying confidently to his God teaches us that our God listens to our prayers in our time of need.

Recorded on 8th August, 2021 https://mpbc.org.au/

                   Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:                           “The Greatest High Priest”                                         Heb. 4:14-5:10 Now that we are totally exposed; we need a high priest that is not of this earth: Hebrews 4:13The temple would be destroyed. Mt. 24:1-2The Temple exists in our hearts! 1 Cor. 6:19-20Four Directives that Emerge from the Reality of His Priesthood: 1.   Cling to Our Profession of Faith  Publicly professing our faith is required: Rom 10:9The devil tempted him for 40 days:  Luke 4:1-2God provides a way past temptation: 1 Cor. 10:13 2.   Pray Confidently and Continually We need to pray all the time:  1 Thes 5:16-18God's grace forgives: 1 John 1:9      The High Priest prayed three prayers:       1)    For Himself and his family      2)    For other priests,       3)    For the peopleWe will look in depth at Melchizedek in chapter 7: Heb 7:1-3 3.   Submit to the Will of God  He was sinless; He did not take advantage of his divinity: Phil 2:6-8We also will suffer! Mt. 16:24-25 Persecution is inevitable:  2 Tim 3:12  4.   Obey Him     Support the show (https://paypal.me/pwp398?locale.x=en_US)

A prayerless faith is an empty faith. On today's episode, author Valerie Woerner and I discuss PRAYER. Do you get distracted when you're praying? Is our entire generation too distracted to pray? I think it is a bigger issue than we think. Do you feel like, deep down, it's more of a last resort than a first priority? Valerie and I dig into why prayer can be so difficult. We talk about seasons of chaos and busyness and the pull and distraction from the Enemy in these seasons. We discuss conversational prayer and why perfectionism shouldn't be a part of it, the messiness of the world and very practical tips to help you get to know Jesus on a much deeper level as a prayerful Christian. This conversation was powerful and impactful for me and I pray that it is the same for you! If you enjoy it, please do take a second to share on social and tag @livingeasywithlindsey. If you haven't had a chance to rate and review on iTunes, it would mean so much if you could take one quick second to do so. Follow Valerie on IG: @valmariepaper Pre-order her new book: Pray Confidently and Consistently  Follow along with Linds on IG @livingeasywithlindsey  Sign up here for The Wife Project: From Roommates to Soulmates waitlist! 

We connect to God through both prayer and worship. In this episode,https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( Pastor Dave Cover) discusses how the two coalesce. Join in as he discusses and prays through https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+33&version=ESV (Psalm 33 ESV):   1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!     Praise befits the upright. 2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;     make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! 3 Sing to him a new song;     play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4 For the word of the Lord is upright,     and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice;     the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,     and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;     he puts the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;     let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be;     he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;     he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,     the plans of his heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,     the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! 13 The Lord looks down from heaven;     he sees all the children of man; 14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out     on all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 he who fashions the hearts of them all     and observes all their deeds. 16 The king is not saved by his great army;     a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,     and by its great might it cannot rescue. 18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,     on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death     and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the Lord;     he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him,     because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,     even as we hope in you.   Interested in more content like this? Listen tohttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/how-does-god-reveal-himself-prayer-on-psalm-19 ( How Does God Reveal Himself?) andhttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/galatians-5 ( How to Renew Your Mind with the Holy Spirit).   Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.   To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO.   Notes https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+33&version=ESV (Psalm 33 ESV) Worshiping with sound: God loves music How to make prayers personal Recognizing God's power and glory Trusting and depending on God:https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-pray-confidently-in-an-uncertain-world-prayer-on-psalm-23-esv ( How to Pray Confidently in an Uncertain World) Subscribe. Rate. Share.   Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (...

We connect to God through both prayer and worship. In this episode,https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( Pastor Dave Cover) discusses how the two coalesce. Join in as he discusses and prays through https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+33&version=ESV (Psalm 33 ESV):   1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!     Praise befits the upright. 2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;     make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! 3 Sing to him a new song;     play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4 For the word of the Lord is upright,     and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice;     the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,     and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;     he puts the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;     let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be;     he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;     he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,     the plans of his heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,     the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! 13 The Lord looks down from heaven;     he sees all the children of man; 14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out     on all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 he who fashions the hearts of them all     and observes all their deeds. 16 The king is not saved by his great army;     a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,     and by its great might it cannot rescue. 18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,     on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death     and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the Lord;     he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him,     because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,     even as we hope in you.   Interested in more content like this? Listen tohttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/how-does-god-reveal-himself-prayer-on-psalm-19 ( How Does God Reveal Himself?) andhttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/galatians-5 ( How to Renew Your Mind with the Holy Spirit).   Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.   To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO.   Notes https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+33&version=ESV (Psalm 33 ESV) Worshiping with sound: God loves music How to make prayers personal Recognizing God's power and glory Trusting and depending on God:https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-pray-confidently-in-an-uncertain-world-prayer-on-psalm-23-esv ( How to Pray Confidently in an Uncertain World) Subscribe. Rate. Share.   Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (...

Does prayer set your worries at rest? Is it hard for you to trust in God and feel his peace? Join in ashttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( Pastor Dave Cover) discusses and prays for restoration inhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV ( Psalm 46 ESV):   1 God is our refuge and strength,     a very present[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14616b (b)] help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,     though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam,     though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,     the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;     God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;     he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,     how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;     he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;     he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.     I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah   Interested in more content like this? Listen tohttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/wheres-god-in-the-crisis-prayer-on-ephesians-1- ( Where's God in the Crisis?) andhttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-pray-confidently-in-an-uncertain-world-prayer-on-psalm-23-esv ( How to Pray Confidently in an Uncertain World)   Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.   To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO.   Notes https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV (Psalm 46 ESV) https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/wheres-god-in-the-crisis-prayer-on-ephesians-1- (Where's God in the Crisis?) Confidence and fearless trust in God https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+2&version=ESV (Genesis 2) andhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelations+21-22&version=ESV ( Revelations 21-22): Redeemed earth and restoration of God's presence Resting in God and acknowledging him Subscribe. Rate. Share.   Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)   Scripture Psalm 46 ESV:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV) Genesis 2:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+2&version=ESV ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+2&version=ESV) Revelations 21-22:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelations+21-22&version=ESV ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelations+21-22&version=ESV)   Related Where's God in the Crisis?:https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/wheres-god-in-the-crisis-prayer-on-ephesians-1- (...

Does prayer set your worries at rest? Is it hard for you to trust in God and feel his peace? Join in ashttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( Pastor Dave Cover) discusses and prays for restoration inhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV ( Psalm 46 ESV):   1 God is our refuge and strength,     a very present[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14616b (b)] help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,     though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam,     though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,     the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;     God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;     he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,     how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;     he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;     he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.     I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah   Interested in more content like this? Listen tohttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/wheres-god-in-the-crisis-prayer-on-ephesians-1- ( Where's God in the Crisis?) andhttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-pray-confidently-in-an-uncertain-world-prayer-on-psalm-23-esv ( How to Pray Confidently in an Uncertain World)   Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.   To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO.   Notes https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV (Psalm 46 ESV) https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/wheres-god-in-the-crisis-prayer-on-ephesians-1- (Where's God in the Crisis?) Confidence and fearless trust in God https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+2&version=ESV (Genesis 2) andhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelations+21-22&version=ESV ( Revelations 21-22): Redeemed earth and restoration of God's presence Resting in God and acknowledging him Subscribe. Rate. Share.   Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)   Scripture Psalm 46 ESV:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV) Genesis 2:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+2&version=ESV ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+2&version=ESV) Revelations 21-22:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelations+21-22&version=ESV ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelations+21-22&version=ESV)   Related Where's God in the Crisis?:https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/wheres-god-in-the-crisis-prayer-on-ephesians-1- (...

During these challenging times of uncertainty and fear,https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ (Pastor Dave Cover) observes how people are rediscovering the value of prayer and recovering the hope of Christ. Join in as he discusses and prays through https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV (Psalm 23 ESV):   The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2     He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14238a (a)] 3     He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14239b (b)]     for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14240c (c)]     I will fear no evil, for you are with me;     your rod and your staff,     they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me     in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;     my cup overflows. 6 Surely[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242d (d)] goodness and mercy[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242e (e)] shall follow me     all the days of my life, and I shall dwell[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242f (f)] in the house of the Lord     forever.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242g (g)]   Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover.   Interested in more content like this? Listen tohttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 ( )https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 (What It Means to Think Vertically and Not Just Horizontally), a prayer overhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+118%3A8-11&version=ESV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+118%3A8-11&version=ESV (Psalm 16.8-11).   Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.   To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO.   Notes 0:30 - Morning prayer 1:15 - Psalm 23 ESV 1:50 - ER scene 2:55 - Reinvesting in how to pray in a sick world 4:20 - Psalm 23.1: God's focus on us and provision 6:05 - Psalm 23.2: satisfaction and rest in God 7:05 - Psalm 23.3: restoration and righteousness in Christ 9:20 - Psalm 23.4: God's comfort, protection, and sovereignty over all 11:50 - Psalm 23.5: abundance and care in the presence enemies 13:05 - Psalm 23.6: steadfast, constant goodness and mercy   Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)   Related What It Means to Think Vertically and Not Just Horizontally:https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 (...

During these challenging times of uncertainty and fear,https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ (Pastor Dave Cover) observes how people are rediscovering the value of prayer and recovering the hope of Christ. Join in as he discusses and prays through https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV (Psalm 23 ESV):   The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2     He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14238a (a)] 3     He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14239b (b)]     for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14240c (c)]     I will fear no evil, for you are with me;     your rod and your staff,     they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me     in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;     my cup overflows. 6 Surely[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242d (d)] goodness and mercy[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242e (e)] shall follow me     all the days of my life, and I shall dwell[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242f (f)] in the house of the Lord     forever.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242g (g)]   Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover.   Interested in more content like this? Listen tohttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 ( )https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 (What It Means to Think Vertically and Not Just Horizontally), a prayer overhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+118%3A8-11&version=ESV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+118%3A8-11&version=ESV (Psalm 16.8-11).   Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.   To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO.   Notes 0:30 - Morning prayer 1:15 - Psalm 23 ESV 1:50 - ER scene 2:55 - Reinvesting in how to pray in a sick world 4:20 - Psalm 23.1: God's focus on us and provision 6:05 - Psalm 23.2: satisfaction and rest in God 7:05 - Psalm 23.3: restoration and righteousness in Christ 9:20 - Psalm 23.4: God's comfort, protection, and sovereignty over all 11:50 - Psalm 23.5: abundance and care in the presence enemies 13:05 - Psalm 23.6: steadfast, constant goodness and mercy   Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)   Related What It Means to Think Vertically and Not Just Horizontally:https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 (...

Introduction It still amazes me as I think about it, just the significance of the moment in redemptive history as this young rabbi sits on the rocky hillside overlooking Jerusalem surrounded by just a small handful of ordinary men, and makes an extraordinary prediction concerning human history. This one verse that we're looking at today, Matthew 24:14, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” That prediction that Christ made on that hillside would be one of the costliest predictions that Jesus ever made. It would cost the lives of thousands and thousands of his choice followers over two millennia in the years to come. It would bring pain and disease and injuries, and tears and torture and blood and tragic funerals, and incalculable sorrow to those who would see that it happened. The preaching of the gospel in every nation has been incalculably expensive. And examples are bound from church history, and we ought to immerse ourselves in them for our own edification, lest we think too highly of ourselves and our own achievements. Immerse yourself in church history. These are your brothers and sisters, you're part of a royal family. October 8, 1732, a sailing vessel pulled away from the wharf in Copenhagen, Denmark. On board were John Leonard Dobber, a potter, and David Nitschmann, a carpenter, who were leaving the security of their jobs and their families in Copenhagen to become the first Moravian missionaries. In a prayer meeting, they had both felt the strong call of the spirit to come and minister the gospel to the slaves of sugar plantations at St. Thomas, in the West Indies. They knew the only way to reach them would be to enslave themselves, to become slaves themselves, to reach these lost people. One of the men left a wife and children begging him on the wharf not to go - reconsider and stay. But the call and the heart of God for these slaves in the West Indies was even greater than that pull, the pull of home. And as the ship pulled away from the docks, these men lifted the cry and those waiting on the wharf heard it: “May the lamb that was slain receive the reward of his suffering.” Amen to that. May Jesus get what he deserves for dying on the cross. And that became the resonating heartbeat of the Moravian missions movement, and the cost they paid was very high. So also the cost of Adoniram Judson who buried two different wives and six children in five different locations for the cause of the gospel, whose sorrow over the shocking loss, sudden loss of his wife Ann was so profound that he dug his own grave and stared into it for weeks in deep despondency waiting for God to kill him, but pulled out of it and led hundreds, even thousands of Burmese to faith in Christ. He laid his life on the line to fulfill that aspect of Jesus' prediction that we're looking at today; this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in Burma as a testimony of that nation, then the end will come. That spirit, that drive to fulfill the Great Commission was in the volunteers of the student volunteer movement, the early part of the 19th century. You've heard of them, they're the ones that pack their belongings in their own coffins because tropical illness made the life expectancy somewhere between 18 months and two years. So why waste extra baggage with boxes? They just packed their stuff in their own coffins and they died for the gospel from fevers. That same spirit motivated William Borden, who was a 1909 graduate of Yale University, heir to the Borden family fortune, was converted to Christianity, gave his life to become a missionary to the Muslims in China. He never made it. He died of spinal meningitis during his training in Egypt. His grieving parents were given his Bible, in it they found in one place the words, “No reserve.” Nothing held back. And next to those words “No reserve” was a date placed shortly after he had renounced his family fortune in favor of missions. And at a later point, he had written the words “No retreat.” That was dated shortly after he was diagnosed with meningitis, and just before he died, “No regrets.” What a spirit! I want that spirit in me, I want that spirit in this church. No reserve, no retreats, no regrets, everything for the gospel. That's the kind of commitment it takes to fulfill Jesus' prediction. Now, how is it that Jesus sitting on that rocky mountainside overlooking Jerusalem could predict that 20 centuries of his followers would be willing to make these kinds of sacrifices to get it done? That's the focus of the sermon today. Basically, in a nutshell, what I'm gonna say is only the sovereign power of the Holy Spirit over the hearts of the followers of Jesus to lay down their lives for people that have never met would make these words come true. And that kind of sovereign power is at work still today. I'd like to see it at work in this church, as it has been, and I wanna see it continue to work here, that we might help fulfill Jesus' prediction. That's what this sermon is about. The context of Matthew 24:14: Jesus had made a prediction, a shocking prediction of the destruction of the temple. Not one stone left on another, every one would be thrown down. The disciples come to Jesus privately on the Mount of Olives, they ask him about it. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And so Jesus begins teaching them about the end of the world, about the destruction of Jerusalem and other things, Matthew 24, the rest of the chapter, and then on into 25, really, it's all of a unit. Speaking about the end of the world and the second coming of Christ and the way that we are to prepare for it. Last week, we looked at the first section. In my opinion, Matthew 24:4-14 describes the events on earth between the first and second comings of Christ. What will life be like between those two events, the first coming of Christ and the second coming of Christ? He begins in verse 4 and 5 with a warning against false Christs, false prophets, false teaching. Verses 6-8, he talks about what he calls the beginning of birth pangs: wars, rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes in various places. These kinds of things. General convulsions of a sin-sick planet, that it would be a difficult place to live. And then in verses 9-13, I think he's talking about the specific sufferings of the people of God, what kinds of trials and temptations and sufferings are gonna come on his followers themselves. They'll be hated by all people on account of him. They're gonna be arrested, they're gonna be persecuted, they're gonna be put to death. Some are gonna betray and turn away from the faith and betray their own brothers and sisters in Christ. And there is a need in verse 13 to stand firm to the end. Only those people who stand firm to the end will be saved. And then he gives this one verse, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” And this is, in its context, a sign of the coming of Jesus Christ, the steady irresistible advance of the gospel of Jesus Christ is evidence and proof of the same day coming back of Christ. The fact that we can see the progress that's happening right in front of us. And friends, it's accelerating. In our own lifetimes it's going faster and faster, it's exciting, what a thrilling time to be alive, but it's evidence of signs of Jesus' return. The advance of the gospel. Not a Command But a Prophecy Christ’s Saving Purpose Now, as we come to verse 14, one of the central points I wanna make is that this is not a command but a prophecy. There's no word of command here. Now, Jesus came into the world, we were told, to seek and to save the lost. Very plain. He came into the world as a rescue mission, that we were lost, we had no hope. Luke 19:10, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Came to save us from our sins. That's why he came the first time. It's why he shed his blood on the cross, that's why he died. It's also why he's waiting to return, he's waiting for the second coming so that individuals may be saved, so that people can repent and come to faith in Christ. That's why he's waiting. 2 Peter 3 teaches us this in verse 9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” And then in that same chapter, in verse 15, “Bear in mind,” said Peter, “that our Lord's patience means salvation.” There are specific elect people, they were chosen before the foundation of the world, the Bible teaches us, and the gospel has to reach them. Paul says he'll endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may hear the gospel and be saved. That's why the Lord's waiting. It's not for no purpose. It's to get this work done. The gospel work. Many Commands for Evangelism Now, I said this, this is not a command in verse 14, I'll say more about that in a moment, but there are many commands concerning the Great Commission. All you have to do is go to the end of this gospel, the most famous of all of the commissioning statements. “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” Verse 18 and following, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I've commanded you, and surely I'm with you always to the very end of the age.” There's the command. Commands are not lacking, we're commanded to go, commanded to make disciples, we're commanded to baptize them, we're commanded to teach them to obey everything. And this command was going to be across all the eras of church history. “Surely, I am with you always to the very end of the age.” It's a lasting, abiding command on the church and on you individually, and me too. So there's the command also in Mark 16:15-16, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” So there's the command. We have it in Matthew 28, we have it in Mark 16. At the end of the book of Romans, Paul speaks specifically of the command to take the gospel. He speaks of “the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him.” There's the word command even. There's no doubt about it, we are commanded to do this. And if we love Jesus we'll obey him. The Lesson of the Commands: We Have an Obligation And the lesson of the command then is that we have an obligation to the lost. Paul speaks of this obligation, the sense of being a debtor, we owe something. In Romans 1:14-16 he says, “I'm obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.” I owe them a debt. “That is why I'm so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. I'm not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” So Paul says, “I owe Greeks and I owe non-Greeks, I owe everybody the gospel.” And so this is not in any way paying Jesus back for what he did in saving him. We're not saved on a mortgage payment plan, friends. And you pay it off in installments with good works, that is faulty thinking, that's not the debt. Paul owes other human beings the gospel, and he's going to discharge it by preaching, that's the lesson of the commands. We should not feel any less an obligation. In 1792, William Carey, the father, so-called, of the modern Protestant missions movement wrote a tract entitled this, “An Inquiry into The Obligation of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens.” Carey was there arguing against the passive view of the sovereignty of God, that because God is sovereign and he can do everything without human agency, that we don't need to do anything. And if God wants to convert the heathen, he can do it on his own time and in his own way. He's writing against that view, though he himself believed in the absolute sovereignty of God, he still said, “We need to use means.” We ought to do stuff, that’s the 21st century version of “Use means." We have to do stuff to get the heathen, the lost people converted, we have to get - in Carey's day - we have to get on ships and sail to India and set up a mission station and study the Hindu languages, and we have to preach the gospel plainly to them in those Hindu languages, and we need to translate the Bible into their native languages, and we need to set up a press to print those Bibles, and we need to teach them how to read their own language so that they can understand the Bible, we need to do all of... Those are the means. We need to use means to the conversion of the heathen, but we have an obligation to do it. This is NOT a command... it is a Sovereign Declaration Okay, that's the lesson of the commands. But I already said that this verse isn't a command. This is not a command here, this is a statement of future fact, it's a sovereign statement of future fact. “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” And I'm celebrating that sovereign declaration with you today. It's going to happen. Absolutely, certainly going to happen. He is not telling his apostles something they should do, he's telling them something that will most certainly happen. That's what he's telling them. Something that will most certainly come to pass. It is absolutely certain. In effect, Jesus was saying that witnesses filled with the burning heart of love for Christ and the lost, filled with the Holy Spirit, will travel over the burning sands of the desert and through forbidding rocky and snowy mountain passes, and they’ll go across the seemingly endless, boundless waves of the South Pacific to cannibal filled islands there, and they will be willing to pay this price to get the gospel preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. This will absolutely happen. The Prophecy Explained Message: “This Gospel of the Kingdom” Now, what I wanna do is I wanna go very carefully word by word, phrase by phrase, through this one, this one verse, and explain it to you. First, the message. “This gospel of the kingdom.” This gospel. The word “gospel” comes straight over from the Greek language meaning “good news.” I'm not gonna break the Greek word apart, but literally, it's got a prefix and a central root that means “good news.” And this good news of the kingdom, this good news of the kingdom, the idea is of a king, sovereign, who sits on a throne and rules, the King of the kingdom of heaven is really the unifying theme of the gospel of Matthew. Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. From the very beginning of Matthew's gospel, the genealogy and right on through, we get a sense of the right Jesus has to rule over us and rule in this world, the kingdom, Christ himself, the centerpiece of that kingdom. And that is the good news, the good news is the King. The good news is God Almighty seated on a throne. That's good news. Jesus said earlier in Matthew's Gospel, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you.” And I explained when I preached on that passage, the yoke represents Jesus' right to rule over your life. His kingly authority to govern you and move you right or left, or have you go straight. The kingly rule of Jesus. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you'll find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus is inviting you to come into the kingdom with those words. There'd be no sense in me preaching on this one verse without inviting any who have never trusted in Christ to come and trust in Jesus. Take that stubborn neck of yours, that stiff neck of yours that's been rebelling against God all these years. We all know about that. We still struggle with our own stiff necks; we're all the same. Put it under Jesus' yoke and you'll never regret it. Come to Jesus, follow him. Let his blood shed on the cross be sufficient for all of your acts of rebellion. Past, present and future. Come to Jesus. This is the kingdom, this is the good news, because what you're gonna find when you come into the kingdom is the perfection of the king, and how good and delightful he is, and how wonderful it will be to sit at his table and to talk with him and to obey his commands. It's good news, the kingdom. And I love what it says, "this gospel of the kingdom.” This one that's going on right in front of you. He's speaking to men who are unique in redemptive history, they were the apostles, they were the eyewitnesses of his glory, Peter calls himself. They saw things you and I didn't see, they heard things with their own ears we don't get to hear. They were the eyewitnesses. They were the first link in the chain of church history, right to Jesus, the incarnation. And they saw what he did and what he said, they heard his words. When the woman anoints him with expensive perfume, he says, “Wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” So there was a sense of, there were little camcorders, little recorders, taking in the history of Jesus, taking in the events of his life, just being there. And don't worry about them forgetting, because it says in John 14, “The Spirit, the Comforter, the Counselor, will come and he will remind you of everything I said to you.” Ordinarily, they may have been very forgetful individuals. Not when it came to Jesus' words and actions; they remembered everything, wrote it down for us. This gospel, the one about Jesus, that's the message. Method: “Will be Preached” What is the method? Well, it's going to be preached, it's going to be proclaimed by word, messengers are gonna go and they're gonna stand up in front of people and speak words about Jesus, and without that, no one gets saved. It says in Romans 10, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in one of whom they've never heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.’” The good news about Jesus, the good news. Somebody's gotta go and tell him a biography, they gotta go and tell them about Jesus, who he is. They don't know who he is, never heard of him. Some people have to go and they have to preach this message, because “faith comes by hearing,” it says there in Romans 10:17, it's got to be preached, it's got to be proclaimed. Nowadays, there are some so-called “new evangelicals” who have a heart for social work, a heart for the urban scene, a heart for decaying cities and physical suffering they see brought about by sin, and they ought to because Jesus had a far greater heart for those things that they did. But they're saying foolish things, some of them, like this one: “Preach the gospel. Use words, if necessary.” Where in the world did that come from? We're told St. Francis of Assisi said it, he disavows all knowledge of it, according to the internet anyway. “He never said it,” he says, or at least some Catholic scholars are saying he never said it. Well, it doesn't matter whether he said or not, some evangelical so called are saying it. You wanna know what they're saying? Just let the gospel ethic, just the good life that comes from being a Christian, just so shine around the people of your lives that they're just gonna get saved by watching you, how good you are. Well, to start, I would suggest, if you're married, just ask your spouse if that's gonna cut it. Alright? Am I just so good that people just by watching me are just gonna wanna come into the kingdom? And that will end your career right there on that one. “Preach the gospel. Use words, if necessary.” Let's try this one on for size: “Feed starving children. Use food if necessary.” Friends, the food is necessary to feed the starving children, and the words are necessary to get these people saved. We've got to proclaim this message, we've gotta tell them about Jesus, we've gotta speak to them. That's the method that God has chosen, the preaching of the gospel, and he's got reasons for doing it, but I don't have time to say it, it just humbles us to just hear a preached message and believe it, and we get saved. Scope: “In the Whole World” Thirdly, look at the scope. It's going to be done in the whole world. In the whole world. Jesus' eyes are on the whole world. Sitting on that rocky Mount of Olives looking out over Jerusalem before his death, he's thinking about the whole world. Yes, he was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, but his heart was always for the whole world. Now, the Greek word here means “the inhabited world,” the places where people live. I believe that sin, the curse of sin has made some uninhabitable places of the world. I don't think it was that way from the beginning, but it's that way now. And so therefore, this is not talking about uninhabited places, but actually the Greek here intensifies it, “the whole of the inhabited world. The gospel is going to be preached in the whole of the inhabited world, not a single inhabited place will be missed. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. So there's no strategy needed for the uninhabited portions of the world, you don't need to go to Antarctica, you don't need to go to Northern Greenland, you don't need to go to the seabed of the Pacific Ocean and preach to those nasty-looking creatures down there. We're going where people are living their lives, the inhabited world, that's where we're going, and we're going to preach to them. Purpose: “As a Testimony to All Nations” And what is the purpose? Well, it's going to be preached as a testimony, it says, to all nations. The word testimony, in my mind at least, brings the sense of a court trial, some kind of a proof's given, this kind of thing. It's an effort to persuade. And so the proclamation is going to be an effort to persuade, to prove something, to perhaps reluctant audience. And the nature of the proof has to do with the identity of the King, King Jesus. Who is he? What did he do? And of their need to repent and come into the kingdom. They need to have a testimony about this, the evidence of the deity of Christ, the proof of his miracles, the testimony of eyewitnesses who saw him physically, bodily, raised from the dead on the third day. We're gonna give testimony about these things, we're going to give persuasions. The evidence that the prophets brought forth that Jesus didn't suddenly appear on the stage of redemptive history, but his coming was long expected. Come thou long expected Jesus. He came in fulfillment of the prophets. We've got to bring all of this evidence out and reason with people, and explain and prove from the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. There's a testimony there, and it's going to be given, it says, to all nations. Again, we have this Greek word “ethne” from which we get “ethnic,” it has to do with the understanding that we in missions have come to really relatively recently, that it's not enough to go just to the political nations, like the political nation of India. William Carey brought the Gospel to the political nation of India, years, centuries ago. But Donald McGavran, a missionary there, a very careful observer of cultures and languages and customs and habits, said, “You know, there are just thousands of different people groups or identifiable ethnic groups, ethnes, so to speak, here in India. We've got to take the gospel to each one of them.” And so there is this understanding that we're going to cultural, linguistic, identifiable people groups. And they need to hear the gospel. Jesus is saying they will. Jesus is saying they're going to hear. Every ethnic group on the face of the earth is going to have a clear proclamation of the testimony of the Gospel. Result: “And Then, the End will Come” And what is the result? Then the end will come. The end will come. For us who have believed in Jesus, it's a good end. For those who have not believed in Jesus, a dreadful end, more than you can possibly imagine, but the end is going to come. We're not going on like this forever. The end is coming. The Power Behind the Prophecy The Absolute Sovereignty of God Alright, well, that's word by word, through the verse. Let me talk now about the power behind this prophecy, there is a power behind these words. These are not idle words spoken by some man sitting on a rock. This is the Sovereign God telling us what he's going to do. The absolute sovereignty of God. Only God, in my opinion, can make any kind of certain statement about the future; none of us can. I mean, that's even down to the small details of weather, or who wins a sporting event or other things like that, only God knows really. But how much more is it true that only a great God can make a great proclamation like this and make it come true? The sheer number of things that would have to happen to make this occur are boggling to the mind. No one missionary could do all this. No one generation of missionaries could do all this. It was too immense even for the faith-filled and faithful apostles to achieve, too big a job for them. Christ is predicting the mobilization of generation after generation of men and women who will be willing to lay down their lives for the cause of the gospel. Christ knows full well that some of these servants will die in the effort, they will fall into the ground and die, in the language of John 12. He knows that, and what Christ is stating here is, no matter how high the cost, this is going to get done. The Power of the Holy Spirit over Human Hearts So how can that happen? How can he be so certain? How can we know that this most certainly will come to pass? The sovereign power of Almighty God guarantees this. And specifically, the link down to earth is the power of the Spirit of God over individual human hearts to turn them from sin and selfishness and get them to do his will. And I think that's powerful. That he can do that. Acts 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” And you're not going to be able to live the way you used to be living. You're not gonna do the same things you used to be doing. When the Holy Spirit comes on you, you're going to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. You will go when the Spirit comes on you. Take a minute, and I wasn't gonna do this, but look over in Ezekiel 2. I think this may be the simplest statement you'll find in the whole Bible about this power that I'm referring to here, the power of this sovereign Spirit of God over your heart and mine. Look at Ezekiel 2:1-2. “He said to me,” this is Ezekiel, “he said to me, ‘Son of man’” - that was God's name for Ezekiel - “‘son of man, stand up on your feet, and I will speak to you.’” Verse 2, “As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet.” That's about as simple, mathematical as you're ever gonna get. The command comes, “Stand up on your feet.” The Spirit enters, and he found himself standing on his feet. That's the first step of the missionary journey right there. I'm praying that the Holy Spirit will come on us and get us to stand on our feet, and to do the things that God has commanded us to do. And he has that power. And there is a mysterious combination between the command, “Son of man, stand on your feet,” and the Spirit coming and empowering obedience to that command. It’s a mystery, you can't have the one without the other. We have to have the sense of the command of our king, but then the power of the Holy Spirit to make it so. So go back to Matthew 24:14, but I think this is the display of it, the Holy Spirit has the power to transform our selfish hearts and turn them to God and to others. He has that power. THe Power to Thrust Out Laborers … Even at Great Cost Jesus, in Matthew 9, “When he saw the crowds, that they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd, he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out laborers into his harvest field.’” Well, the words “send out” in the NIV are a bit tame. “Ekballo” is the Greek word. “Throw them out.” Alright, it's the same word used for casting out demons, the same kind of power that can cast out a demon can thrust out laborers into the harvest field. Amen and Amen. He has the power to come on you and get you to change the whole way you live, so that from then on, you're doing something different. Change your career, you change your life, you change the direction and the flow of your life, and you do something different from then on. Now, here he's saying, “Ask the Lord of the harvest to do it.” So he's involving us in God sending out the Holy Spirit to do that. It's just amazing how deep and mysterious all this is, but we are to pray to the Lord of the harvest saying, “God send them out, drive out those laborers into the harvest field." A Holy Compulsion And so I think what we're talking about here is a holy compulsion that just comes over you, you're just compelled by the Spirit, as Paul refers to in Acts 20. “And now compelled by the Spirit, I'm going to Jerusalem.” There's a compulsion of the spirit. There are examples of this over and over in the Bible. Look, for example, at Jeremiah 20. Don't turn there now, but in Jeremiah 20, Jeremiah comes to God and says, “Oh Lord, you deceived me about my job description, you never told me how awful it would be to do this job.” Aside, I'll say it again. I think Jeremiah had the hardest ministry in the Old Testament. I would rather be anybody in the Old Testament than Jeremiah. What a tough, tough job to be there, to be the one to turn out the lights on Jerusalem when the Babylonians were done with the place, to sit there over the hill and weep over it, as flames are just dying out and the smoke is rising and everyone's dead or gone. And you get to be the one to predict it and be there when it happens. And to be hated by the ones you are... Tough ministry. But at any rate, Jeremiah goes back to his employer, back to God and says, “You deceived me, oh, Lord.” But then he goes on and says this, “If I say I will not mention him or speak anymore in his name, his word is like a fire in my heart. It's like a fire shut up in my bones. I'm weary of holding it in. Indeed, I cannot hold it in.” That's a compulsion that comes over you by the Spirit, you can't do anything but this work of God. So also the Apostle Paul. His work was linked together with his salvation. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” “I am Jesus, the one that you're persecuting. Now, get up and go into the city and you'll be told what you must do.” Well, the word “must” became pretty obvious to Paul immediately what that meant. He had no choice. And so in 1 Corinthians 9:16, he says, “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe unto me if I do not preach!” That's a compulsion of the spirit that comes on And how does it work? Well, I've thought about this and I think it works by love. I really think what happens is the Spirit comes and moves love in our hearts. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, it says, “For the love of Christ constrains us” - or compels us or controls us, different ways to translate that - “because we have concluded this, that one died for all, and therefore all have died, that he who died for all should no longer live for themselves, that we should no longer live for ourselves, but for him who died for us.” Basically, there's a kind of lifestyle I'm proclaiming here today, lifestyle of full on flat out obedience to the Great Commission in whatever role God has for you. And the alternative is that you should live for yourself. Those are your two options. I really believe it. It really just comes down to that. And Paul is saying that we should no longer live for ourselves, but for him who died for us and was raised again. Well, what moves him to do it? The love of Christ constrains us. Now, I meditated on that phrase, it's a little tricky, and I think it may even be meant to be. What is this love of Christ constrains us mean? Is it the love we have for Jesus or is it the love that Jesus displayed in his life for sinners? How about both? How about we don't choose? How about we love Christ so much we want to get on a ship and go and say, “May the lamb get what he deserves,” that we can live like that. I just love Jesus, am filled with the love that I have, that Jesus get what he deserves. The love of Christ, the love we have for Jesus. Or could it be the kind of love that Jesus displayed for sinners in dying on the cross for them? I wanna live like that. I think it's both. But in any case, it constrains us. The same Greek word is used in Luke 12:50. Jesus speaking about his own crucifixion, “I have a baptism to be baptized with. And how constrained I am until it's finished. I can't turn to the right or the left, I've got to finish this work.” Well, again and again in church history, servants of Christ have spoken like constrained people. They've talked like this. Hudson Taylor is a prime example. He was called to be a missionary to China. He went there, he had some very indifferent experiences with the mission agencies. The missionaries were all on the coastline of China, none of them venturing out much into Chinese society, they're living comfortable lives in the mission stations, and he was becoming disillusioned. He decided to go native, go inland to become kind of as Chinese as he possibly could be. He went with the Chinese hairstyle and garb and all that, so much that people that saw him and knew before thought, they didn't recognize him at all, thought he was just a Chinese man. The mission group there rejected his methods entirely and his zeal, they didn't want any part of him, so he went back to England for many reasons, but to raise support. And then he says this, he was just thinking about the inland regions of China. On Sunday, June 25th, 1865, he said, “Unable to bear the sight of a congregation of a thousand or more Christian people rejoicing in their own security while millions were perishing for lack of knowledge. I wandered out on the sands alone,” listen, “in great spiritual agony. And there the Lord conquered my unbelief.” He had seen a map of China, and he called it the accusing map of China, had huge sections of the country, none of them had ever heard of Jesus, called it the accusing map. And this was the burden on him, the inland regions. “In great spiritual agony, and there the Lord conquered my unbelief, and I surrendered myself to God for this service. I told him that all of the responsibility as to issues and consequences must rest with him; that as his servant it was mine to obey and follow him, his to direct, to care for, to guide those who might labor with me. Need I say that the peace of God at once flowed into my heart. It was indescribable.” So there's a man constrained. He lived the rest of his life for this one burden, and that was to bring the Gospel to the inland regions of China. The Prophecy Fulfilled: Already and Not Yet Now, this prediction of Jesus, is it fulfilled? Can I say the words with great joy? Almost, almost, but not yet. I know it's not yet 'cause we're here. Jesus hasn't come back yet. He said, “And then the end will come.” The end hasn't come, there's still work to be done Already: Huge Portions of the World Reached with the Gospel But there's less work to be done now, a lot less than there was 50 years ago. The progress has been astonishing. Friends, this isn't a losing battle. If you're a bandwagon person, this is the bandwagon to jump on, this is the one to pitch in on and get involved. This is the one to invest your life in. This one. This is going to win. It's amazing, there's not a geographical nation on earth that doesn't have a vibrant church. That could not have been said 25 years ago. I mean, all of the United Nations type nations, all of them have witnesses. That was not true when I was in college. The Berlin Wall was still standing then, there were countries like Albania, others like Mongolia, Morocco, some of those Northern African nations, Muslim nations, there were no churches there, that's no longer the case. Praise God. And then once Donald McGavran gave the idea of the unreached people groups, they started counting them, and the count down's been going down. 24,000 in 1950, the estimate was. When I was in college, the number was 17,000. In 1992, it was down to 11,000. In '96 estimates put it around 9,000. It's about half of what it was when I was in college. Today, joshuaproject.net, who keeps track of these things, puts the number at 6,644. It just keeps coming down. And many, many local churches have adopted unreached people groups and have just made it their focus to be sure that there's a Gospel Church planted in that unreached people group. It's just incredible the kinds of things that are happening, I don't have time to go through the statistics. Bottom line is the church is exploding and growing all the time. Listen to this, in A.D 100, there were 360 non-Christians, estimate, 360 non-Christians for every one believer. Today, the number is seven to one. Get this one, this is even better, I love this. In A.D 100, it was estimated that there were 12 unreached people groups per local church congregation. Today there are 500 local congregations for every unreached people group. See, all we need to do is get the other 499 congregations together and choose an unreached people group and go reach them. Boy, they're gonna be overwhelmed when all 500 churches show up to reach that one unreached people group. Not Yet: The Work Still to Do Friends, this is a doable task, but there's still work to be done, there's still just four billion people have never heard the name of Jesus. Most of them, the 10/40 window, the longitude lines there, the 10/40 latitude lines, the 10/40 window. Muslim nations, India, China, there's a lot of work to be done, and it's still true that Americans spend... American evangelicals spend more money on dog food than they do on missions. May it never be. Applications Rejoice in the Sovereignty of Christ Bottom line, can I say this just application, let's rejoice in the sovereignty of Christ, let's see what he's achieved already, let's give him the praise and the glory of 20 centuries of astonishing achievement. Say, to God be the glory for what you have done. To God be the glory for raising up men and women who are willing to lay down their lives for the Gospel. Be Confident in the Final Outcome And be confident, very confident in the final outcome: he's going to win. Pray Confidently for More Laborers for this Vast Harvest Based on Matthew 9, pray confidently to the Lord of the harvest to send out, thrust out, laborers into the harvest field. Pray it a lot, pray it fervently. Pray it confidently. But you know what might happen if you start praying that prayer, you know what might happen? He might actually send you out into the harvest field. Pray for it. Draw near to God every single day. Draw Near to God Daily If you don't have a heart for the nations, if you don't have a heart for missions, it's because you're distant spiritually from God, this is his heart, he's made it plain everywhere. Kevin quoted, I think it was Psalm 67, that's God's heart, that the nations might praise him. If that's not your heart, you're distant from God. Draw near to God, fix your relationship with God first, repent of known sin. Have your quiet times, draw close to him, and say, “Lord, give me a heart for the nations, and give me a heart for the lost coworker that's in the next cubicle.” It's all of a piece. It's all together. So draw close and ask God to give you an unreached people group to pray for. Go to joshuaproject.net and choose one. You get to pick the continent. I mean, whatever you want, go pick one and pray for it for the rest of the year, 2010. Be Earnest Not to Be Left Out And this is the one that convicted me the most, it is absolutely guaranteed, absolutely guaranteed that Jesus will finish this, that this promise will take place, but it's not guaranteed that I'll have anything to do with it. There's no Bible verse that tells me that, I, Andy Davis, will have anything to do with Matthew 24:14, or you. There's no guarantee that FBC Durham will be having anything to do with this at all 20 years from now. We have got to be faithful. We have got to say to the Lord, “Make me... Please don't pass me by, please don't leave me behind, please don't, as you move on ahead in success and triumph, leave me out. I wanna be part of it, Lord. Give me a burden, give me a heart after the nations, give me a heart after missions, so that I can be part of what you're doing in the world. And make sure that my local church is part of it, too. I don't wanna go to a church that's not not doing this, I'll leave that church. I wanna be a part of a church where this command is our command. This prediction is our command, we are moving out based on this, praying for unreached people groups, praying for the missionaries we have sent out.” Pray for FBC to be a Launching Pad for Missions Pray that FBC would be a launching pad for missions. We've seen a lot of brothers and sisters go out from here. Heavenly, what a joy. But I would say the overwhelming majority, if not all of them, came in here with a preconceived or pre-sense of call to the missions, and what we did was, we tried to shepherd that and be good stewards of it and furthered it long. Praise God that that happened. But I'd like to see someone who comes in here even today, without even any thought of missions, and then through the ministry of the church, through the influence of other brothers and sisters in Christ, develop that call and we launch them out in five years. That would be awesome. Wouldn't that be great? Pray that that would happen in this church. Close with me in prayer.