Happy Friday

Prayer in cinema.  Illuminating…  

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O May Christ Glorify Him Incessantly [repost]

Sometimes I use the Valley of Vision prayers like a starter motor for my own prayer life.  (Some of them are here). This morning I was praying through Consecration and Worship.  It reminded me of a lot of the issues I tried to raise with my ‘Christ our Substitute‘ video.  Here’s the prayer.  Note the ending especially: [...]

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Deliver us from saintliness

A prayer of Martin Luther’s: “O Lord, deliver me from Christian churches with nothing but Christian saints in them. I want to remain in and be part of a church which is a little flock of faint-hearted people, weak people, who know and feel their sin, their poverty, their misery, and they believe in the [...]

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In Jesus’ name [repost]

What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name? Here’s Jesus Himself using the phrase ‘in my name’: Many will come in my name, saying ‘I am He’ and will lead many astray.  (Mark 13:6) This is a very strong understanding of ‘in my name’.  Here to act “in Jesus’ name” is to act as Jesus and to appear [...]

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When you can’t pray

This was first published on Emma’s site.  If you haven’t already, go and subscribe.  Best blog ever! How much thought do you give to the Priesthood of Jesus?  It seems to me to be a much neglected teaching.  But it’s absolutely crucial, especially when thinking about mental illness. What’s it all about?  Well here’s Job, [...]

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Prayer and Fasting: A Sermon on Matthew 6:9-18

Audio Here What does true prayer look like?  Let me give you a picture of true prayer. I’ll read out from Luke chapter 11, you imagine the scene in your mind’s eye: “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to [...]

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Favourite BCP prayer

Today was my last official 1662 Book of Common Prayer communion service as curate.  Aside from the prayer of humble access, this is the prayer I really love from the service.  It’s said after receiving communion and saying the Lord’s prayer: ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe [...]

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1 John 5:13-21 sermon

Sermon Audio Do you ever worry that you’re not a proper Christian?  Do you fear you might not be a child of God after all? Do you ever struggle to pray? Do you worry about friends who are caught in certain sins? Do you wonder what to do about those who once said they were [...]

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The Love Without Measure Or End – A Prayer by Spurgeon

From here (ht Rich Owen) LORD, we would come to Thee, but do Thou come to us. Draw us and we will run after Thee. Blessed Spirit, help our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. Come, Holy Spirit, and give right thoughts and right utterance that we may all [...]

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A wonderful meditation on the tabernacle furniture – no really! By Paul Hawkins

My friend Paul Hawkins has written a cracker on the altar of incense.  Enjoy! Read Exodus 30:1-10, 34-38 I wonder how many of us are in something like a prayer triplet, getting together with say two other Christians to pray together? CAUGHT UP IN THE TRINITY Exodus 30 is a great chapter on prayer.  We’re [...]

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What does Spiritual Health Look Like? [Thawed out Thursday]

When studying the Lord’s prayer it’s common to think about the character of God that’s assumed in the prayer: i.e. Father, in heaven, holy, etc, etc. What about the character of the one praying it? Here are some thoughts: Childlike Reverent Expectant Guileless Obedient No agenda of our own Desperate Dependent for all things Confident [...]

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God is a Haggler

Genesis 18:20-33 God is a Haggler.  He wants us to haggle. What do we feel about that? Here’s a website offering to take the cringe factor out of your financial exchanges.  Instead of negotiating with a real, live human being, you can simply click a button in the privacy of our own home. Are you [...]

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Resolved to pray? Your resolution is belated

From last night’s sermon on Galatians 4:6: A new year has begun, it’s often a time when we assess our Christian lives and think about how they’re going.  If I were to ask you ‘how is your prayer life going?’ How would you respond? If you belong to Jesus, you can look me in the [...]

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Quiet Times [Thawed out Thursdays]

I’ve been listening to sermons from the web on Luke 14.  It’s Jesus at a banquet.  He heals on the Sabbath, He teaches about refusing the seats of honour, He calls us to invite the poor, crippled, lame and blind to dinner and He speaks of the kingdom as a great feast.  Wonderful stuff. But [...]

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Pollutants or Prayer? What changes the climate?

Ok, I’ll get off the subject soon enough.  Just a little test for us all, inspired by Heather’s comment. “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My Name humble [...]

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Recipe for a 20 minute ‘Quiet Time’

Close your eyes. Imagine yourself kneeling at the side of Christ’s throne, head on His chest, His arm around your shoulder. Christ is speaking.  He’s addressing His Father. And this is what He’s saying: Psalm 119. Listen in. This really is the one thing you must do.  Listen. Add your Amens and your Thankyous as [...]

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If Satan’s got that much cheek, there’s no way I’m gonna have less!

Wednesday afternoon bible study.  Hebrews 4:14-16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…” Sheila pipes up with my favourite bible study comment ever: Well of course I’m going to approach with confidence.  I mean the blinking devil waltzes into God’s throne room doesn’t he?!  What a nerve!  Blasted devil walks straight [...]

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O May Christ Glorify Him Incessantly

Sometimes I use the Valley of Vision prayers like a starter motor for my own prayer life.  (Some of them are here). This morning I was praying through Consecration and Worship.  It reminded me of a lot of the issues I tried to raise with my ‘Christ our Substitute‘ video.  Here’s the prayer.  Note the [...]

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