Prayer

If God Is Sovereign, Why Pray?

There is no theological issue more knotty than the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. And this is no mere academic question, for our understanding here (or lack thereof) significantly affects such practical areas as evangelism and prayer. Prompted by an ongoing correspondence regarding predestination and free will, a friend asked me these thought-provoking questions: 

• If God already knows what will happen (and what choices will be made, etc.), can He change the outcome?
• What is the purpose of prayer?
• Can our prayers for someone's salvation actually make a difference? In a way, I don't want my ...

Ineffective Pastors: Part 2 of 3

What causes a pastor to be ineffective? Charles Bridges wrestled with this question almost 200 years ago in his classic The Christian Ministry: With an Inquiry Into the Causes of Its Inefficiency.[1] In his discovery he specified ten character flaws which hinder ministerial effectiveness, and his insights are as true today as they were in 1830. 4.   Lacking in Christian self-denial “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). A life of self-denial is Christ’s call for all of His disciples, especially for His ...

Praying Saints and the Glory of God

During those times of spiritual apathy and darkness, the Holy Spirit would quietly stir in the heart of an individual or in the hearts of a small group of people. He would call them to prayer. The brightness of the glory of God would begin to dispel the darkness in the days that followed. Mighty preachers would be raised out of nowhere. The Word of God would thunder forth in mighty power. Souls would be set aflame for the glory of God. Prayer initiated revival, and revival initiated prayer. An apparent correlation exists between a movement of prayer and spiritual ...