John Calvin begins this classic treatise on prayer by giving us a definition of prayer, emphasizing its necessity and use.   He addresses the objections that some people have when it comes to prayer, such as, that prayer seems useless, because God already knows our wants.   He then outlines four rules to be observed in prayer: reverence to God, a sense of our want, the suppression of all pride, and a sure confidence of being heard.   He gives a good overview of different kinds of prayers: vows, supplications, petitions, thanksgivings.   After he gives some guidance for the use of prayer in public worship, he gives a wonderful exposition of the Lord’s Prayer.    While certain of Calvin’s arguments are addressing issues faced at the time of the Reformation, the modern reader will discover timeless truths, solidly based on God’s Word, detailing the necessity and benefits of persevering in prayer.

by John Calvin (1509-1564)

Source: Public Domain, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Translated by Henry Beveridge, 1845, Book III. Chapter XX

Attachments:

Of Prayer—A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

Everything we do – evangelism, building projects, acts of charity and mercy, back-yard Bible clubs, prayer walks, etc.– should be in service to “making disciples.”  In 1965 there were 540 individuals from North America involved in short-term missions in various locations around the world, according to one estimate.  Today, by conservative estimates, upwards of one and a half a million Americans are involved in international short-term mission outreaches each year at the cost of billions of dollars annually.  Churches find themselves asking questions like, “Is it worth it?” “How can we get better in the execution of short-term missions?”  Eric Swanson explores the criteria that should we be measuring.

by Eric Swanson

Source: www.leadnet.org

Attachments:

Increasing the Effectiveness of Short-Term Missions

Evangelical Protestant leaders who live in the Global South (sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and most of Asia) generally are optimistic about the prospects for evangelicalism in their countries. But those who live in the Global North (Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand) tend to be more pessimistic.  This is one of the findings of the survey done at the Lausanne Congress held in Capetown in October 2010.  The resulting report offers a detailed portrait of the beliefs and practices of this group of global evangelical leaders.  It finds a high degree of consensus on some core theological matters, such as the belief that Christianity is the ―one, true faith leading to eternal life, and that the Bible is the word of God. But it also finds a number of subjects on which evangelical leaders are divided.

Source: www.lausanne.org

How does one pray for the lost?   How can you pray with confidence and expectancy.   God’s Word encourages us to pray for the lost in a number of different ways.   Here are Scripture prayers that you can use to pray for lost people. These prayers are based on the Word of God.  In order to use them, place the name of the lost person or persons in the blank, pleading with God to save them.

Source: www.kingdompraying.com

Attachments:

Praying For the Lost