Changing our world through Prayer
Meekness is power under control. Jesus had power available to Him far beyond anything we could imagine. Yet He restrained Himself, even before His crucifixion. Jesus said: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” How are you doing with that?
Forgiveness, together with grace, is what makes the gospel of Jesus Christ different from any other religion. Forgiveness builds on the foundation of grace. Asking for forgiveness is as important as forgiving someone who has wronged you.
There is great value in periodically evaluating the true state of our spiritual life and walk with Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you prayerfully go through each of the questions provided in this article.
By using the prayers of the apostles from the New Testament as basis for our own prayers, we learn to pray like them. (Beskikbaar in Afrikaans).
Be faithful in praying for the leaders of your nation, for that is good and acceptable in the sight of God. We look at guidelines from the book of Proverbs.
Teach children to speak to God as if He is real (which He in fact is), and they will be speaking to Him a lot! Help them proclaim and pray Scripture over everyday issues.
Wanneer ons die woorde van die apostels se gebede gebruik as basis vir ons eie gebede, leer ons om soos hulle te bid. (Available in English).
As a family, pray in every room of your house – for God’s presence to fill everything and every person.
Giving thanks to God as a daily habit, no matter the circumstances, is a very healthy spiritual discipline for every believer to cultivate.
There is nothing humane about human trafficking! It involves the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for forced labour and sex trafficking, treating them like mere commodities. Christians should be informed and pray about this worldwide scourge.
The first Church suffered persecution and ridicule because of their Spirit-filled lives and bold preaching of the Gospel. Are you experiencing a time of ridicule, rejection or persecution? Remain in prayer before the Lord who sustains you.
When we allow little offences to linger, they can quickly grow into a monster! Let us purposefully develop spiritual disciplines that can help us cultivate an unoffendable heart.
Do you need godly wisdom, insight and guidance to navigate life’s many situations and challenges? Then take to heart the greatest words ever spoken, for they are spirit and they are life.
There are specific challenges facing farming communities. The Lord has provided a ‘prayer watch strategy’ as part of securing farms in South Africa, but the strategy can also be adapted for other areas. Let us build a wall of prayer around farms for His glory. (Beskikbaar in Afrikaans).
The concept of prayer circles is about saturating a nation with prayer by establishing a network of prayer groups everywhere, while praying for unsaved people, revival, churches and the nations. (Ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans).
In our relationship with God, something special occurs when we value lingering in His presence and fellowshipping together. Remain in God’s presence and allow Him to transform you!
When you wait for answers to prayer, do you question whether the way you pray is wrong or perhaps if God has forgotten about you? There are some conditions set out in Scripture when we pose our requests to the Lord.
If you have a deep desire to pray for the sick, this desire was most probably put in your heart by the Holy Spirit, and all you need to do is to avail yourself of Him.
A truly repentant person is zealous about casting off and turning away from their wrongdoings, even at great cost. This zeal is worked by the precious Holy Spirit within.
A battle is under way in the air for political rule in each country. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 has clear instructions that we should pray “for kings and all those in authority.” How can we be faithful in praying for our nation?
Gebedkringe is die konsep om ‘n nasie met gebed te versadig deur oral ‘n netwerk van gebedsgroepe te vestig waarin daar gebid word vir ongeredde mense, herlewing, kerke, die land en die nasies. (Also available in English).
Our heavenly Father desires for us to come boldly before His throne of grace and we can have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place.
Plaasgemeenskappe het baie spesifieke uitdagings waarmee hulle gekonfronteer word. Die Here het ‘n Gebedswagstrategie gegee om plase in Suid-Afrika te beveilig. Laat ons ‘n muur van gebed rondom plase bou tot Sy eer. (Available in English)
The word ‘glory’ means very great praise, honour, or distinction bestowed by common consent. To live a life that glorifies God is the most wonderful privilege given to man.
God teaches us in Scripture that there are certain things that are of utmost importance for intercession. We could call them preconditions for prayer.
Every person experiences desert seasons in their lifetime, both physically and spiritually. How do we endure our desert seasons in a way that is pleasing to our Lord?
The desire for people to do something practical while praying for their community is a valid one. Not everyone likes sitting down and praying through a list. We have put together prayerwalking ideas that can be used to saturate communities with prayer.
Being a teacher is one of the most challenging careers anyone can choose to follow. Teachers often have to deal with difficult classroom situations, while they themselves sometimes experience problems in their personal lives.
A few days ago, I stepped into an elevator with a lady who immediately started talking to me: “I’m on my way to my room now. I am going to sit there until this is over! Because I have no money…” How do we survive the festive season?
Mental health has been stigmatised to the extent where people are ashamed to talk about depression, anxiety or contemplating suicide. Pray for those suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts, and let them know that they are not alone.
Jesus’ first coming to earth and His life here was marked by the fulfilment of many prophecies. The one prophecy and promise by Jesus Himself that believers are expectantly waiting for, is His return.
We can easily lose sight of the opposition many Christians face from their own families, their circle of friends and workplace even in countries where there is religious freedom and where Christians are in the majority. How can they remain standing?
The central theme for the global Church in the 21st century church is still: Blessed are the Persecuted.
People have subjected the Word of God to innumerable attacks. It has been burned, discredited, questioned, and made suspect; yet the Word is still standing. People come and go, but the Word remains forever.
Desperate prayer is like someone drowning, gasping for air. It is to grasp at God with hope – on the basis of His character, His promises, the blood, the cross, His covenant, His invitation and His throne of grace.
There are several Biblical principles by which we can discern, through the help of the Holy Spirit, whether an open door before us is within the will and purposes of God for our lives. It is vital
to consider these in every season of our lives.
‘Peace’ means different things to different people. Some people long for rest, silence, and a conflict and problem-free life. However, true peace inside and around us can never be found apart from the Prince of Peace.
How do we behold God? One way is to look at how Scripture describes Him and how those in heaven respond who behold Him day and night!
All of us have the opportunity to share Jesus and we trust the Holy Spirit to work in each life we minister to every time we step out in obedience to do this. Our focus should be on looking for opportunities to speak about Jesus every day.
We often forget God in the craziness of our busy lives. But God wants worshippers before workers; indeed the only acceptable workers are those who have learned the lost art of worship (A. W. Tozer).
Die krag van God het soos ’n weerligstraal deur die skare beweeg. Mense se harte was gebreek oor hulle sonde en die gekruisigde Verlosser. (Also available in English)
Everyone experiences fear, anxiety or even a panic attack at times. Once you have discerned the origin of the fear or anxiety you experience, what can you practically do or pray to stop it?
In recent years the Holy Spirit has been prodding many of God’s servants on the coming revival, so as to prepare His Church for what some predict will be one of the greatest visitations of God in history.
Have you experienced times when it seems God is far away? Or when everything seemingly goes wrong and it becomes difficult to understand or feel that God is still present to hear your prayers?
Young people are bombarded with so many influences from the world and media. Who are the Gen Zers and what giants do they face? How can the church help them to find their identity in Christ so they can walk in continued victory?
The Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood member of the Trinity. He has been treated as if He were an outsider in many Christian circles. However, the Bible clearly states what the Holy Spirit does for us, in us and through us as Believers.
God gives each one of His children the privilege to take part in the great task of building His Kingdom. Every believer in Christ has a role to play and we can all make a difference in our communities.
Do you sometimes feel helpless as images of people in crisis flash across your screens? How can you pray and not feel overwhelmed as several disasters continue to hit the globe? Here are some prayer guidelines.
Do you desire a deeper walk with the Lord? Through the Tabernacle in the Old Testament, God revealed to Moses how He wanted Israel to draw closer to Him. In Jesus Christ we have a New Testament model of how to draw near to God.
Abiding in Jesus brings a promise and reward of sustenance, both now and for eternity. What does abiding in Jesus mean?
With the precious blood of Christ we were redeemed and our sins forgiven. We are now reconciled with our heavenly Father and have boldness to enter the Holiest place. Let us pour out thanksgiving to the Lord, our Saviour!
Churches seldom teach their members how to minister to unbelievers who are terminally ill. So how can one practically reach out to them in a way that will minister the gospel to them?
The Word of God is the very sustenance of every believer’s spiritual life. So, take up regular Bible reading with renewed fervour!
Although there is a lot of good advice available as to ‘what to do’ in marriage, it is often the ‘what not to do’ guidelines that serve us best.
As women we are often under a lot of pressure and much is expected of us. Is your life creating a storm or are you like a haven?
Across the globe, nations are in crisis with more natural disasters, wars and adverse circumstances arising everywhere. How do we know what to pray as matters worsen daily and new calamities come?
Hearing “You are fired” or “We are laying off personnel” can be the hardest words for a person to hear. How does one pray for someone (or yourself) who has lost a job and has not yet found something else?
It may be difficult for you to believe everything the Word says about you, but remember that it is God who is saying these things about you. Rather believe God than your own feelings.
We cannot pray for our town or city unless we love it and its people. Ask the Lord for a prayer in your heart such as John Knox’s when he prayed: “Lord, give me Scotland or I die!”
We do not need to live close by to people and places in need of prayer, as we are connected virtually through so many means.
There is a difference between a career and a calling. A person’s calling has priority over their career, also in the marketplace.
As sons and daughters of our heavenly Father, it is our joy to be obedient in praying for every matter near to His heart, however hard it may seem at the time.
What does it mean to do an Esther fast? When do you do an Esther fast? It is important to understand the context of a biblical ‘Esther fast’ and how Believers can apply it to their own lives today.
Children and young people are in a process of finding their identity. It is important for us as adults to guide our children and help them to get Biblical answers to their identity questions.
Although we all have a unique relationship with the Lord, the Bible gives us safeguards, principles and guidelines that help us discern what God’s will is for us in different situations.
How do we manage to give thanks to God after a year filled with seemingly unending challenges? G.K. Chesterton said: “When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted, or you take them with gratitude”.
Seeking Jesus’ face by praying His Word is one sure way to draw closer to Him – Jesus is the Living Word! (John 1:1) Let us pray through the I AM statements of Jesus and honour Him.
Taking a moment to reflect on your year allows you to see it from God’s perspective and helps you realign yourself with God’s purposes before the start of the new year. This will give you much peace and confidence in Him, whatever lies ahead in the next year.
Usually, one does not end up burnt out due to hard work alone. Burnout is also accompanied by emotional and spiritual fatigue, leaving a person so tired that they struggle to regain equilibrium.
When we experience trauma it can cause us to wonder: Where was God when this happened?
Many missionaries are oppressed, mocked, imprisoned or beaten for sharing the gospel in countries where religious persecution is common. They endure enormous risk to keep sharing Christ with unreached peoples. You may ask the question – what can I do?
In 2021, 360 million Christians lived in countries where persecution was “significant”. Nigeria has 4 out of 5 martyrs worldwide and Afghanistan’s persecution is now worse than North Korea. They want to know we are praying with them.
What happens in the life of an individual facing and going through hardship and persecution for their faith in Christ? In this article, we will look at what the Word says about the blessings of persecution.
Throughout history, believers were persecuted for their faith. And persecution is still happening in many parts of the world today. What does the Bible say about the different types of hardships that a believer may be faced with?
Praying the ‘Our Father’ prayer can be likened to entering a spiritual house. In a sense, every part of the prayer can be viewed as a room of treasure to be explored. In this second article on the topic, we reflect on the last few facets of the ‘Our Father’ prayer.
Praying the ‘Our Father’ prayer can be likened to entering a spiritual house. In a sense, every part of the prayer can be viewed as a whole room of treasure to be explored in prayer. We reflect on each facet in two consecutive articles.
Many faithful Christians from the Old Testament to modern times fasted and prayed, and they lived extraordinary lives in God’s Kingdom.
Have you ever wondered how you can honour the Lord more with your life? Scripture is filled with guidelines of what a life pleasing unto God looks like. Scripture also mentions the ‘crowns’ God has prepared for those who believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word is powerful because God has authority and power. God will never break His Word, just as He will never break His covenant with the day and with the night (Jer.33:20). Flowers may drop off and grass whither, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. (1 Peter 1:24-25).
When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, he also told them how they should not pray. Clearly this is important to remember in our own prayer life.
This is the second article of two parts looking at the characteristics of people who strive after holiness.
What is true practical holiness? This article is the first of two parts looking at the characteristics of people who strive after holiness.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by everyday challenges and life in general? Perhaps you feel that God may have forgotten you, or perhaps that your prayers are not reaching His heart and ear. What does the Lord expect from us when facing challenges?
Everyone is called to ministry, but only some are called to the ministry. How will you know if you are called to the ministry?
When you read the Psalms, you will often hear David say: “Lord, where are you? Why are you silent? Why don’t you speak to me?” What must we do in such times?
Many marriages, Christian included, suffer devastation through one spouse having an extra-marital affair. Temptation is never far away. If you recognise some of the warning signs in your relationship, know that you can find your way back to safe ground.
Proverbs 31:10-31 describes the virtuous woman who has a godly character and whose faith is firmly set on her Maker. How can we use this example to pray for ourselves and for other women?
Women can hold on to the hope of the Lord’s promise that He has given His word of power to enable them to rise above their circumstances, to be bearers of hope and transformation.
To bless others and to be a blessing to people should be an integral part of every believer’s character and conduct. That includes praying the blessing of the Lord over them.
Faith does not make room for ‘treading water’ and stagnant faith will cause your heart to harden and drift away from God. The Book of Hebrews urges readers to go on to maturity in their faith and to not remain spiritual babies.
In your relationship with God and other people, you will only continue to grow if you continuously experience a deeper and fuller revelation of the Fatherhood of God.
“We are facing hunger on an unprecedented scale, food prices have never been higher, and millions of lives and livelihoods are hanging in the balance.” Ordinary solutions alone will not solve the problem.
It was very dear to Jesus’ heart and also a command from Him that the church should be a house of prayer (Matt.21:13), but this is one of the greatest challenges for churches.
The Book of Revelation is the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1). There are at least 20 names of the Lord Jesus found in chapters 1-3 and it is important that we focus on them.
Pausing and praying slowly through Psalm 23 unveils the character of God in greater depth, lighting up truths that can otherwise easily be missed.
Knowing and understanding God’s character, commands and works, will help us to discern His will and voice through the Holy Spirit.
Let us share our desires for our grandchildren with the Lord. When we pray according to His will, we know that He hears us and will answer our prayers (1 John 5:14-15).
If the prayers you pray do not move your own heart, do you think it will move the heart of God?
In Psalm 86 David touches on 10 attitudes of the heart when coming before God in prayer.
Why are my prayers not answered? Why does it take so long for certain prayers to be answered? Is there a different way in which to pray that will render my prayers more effective?