A Prayer for New Year Blessings

Lord, as we enter this beautiful new year that You have created for us, we want to thank You for how much You have blessed us in so many ways — more than we could count, more than we even know about. Your goodness and faithfulness are overflowing in our lives every day and we …

Praying with Jesus

"In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed." -- Mark 1:35 (NRSV) This is one of my favorite Bible verses about prayer. I love it because it's a reminder that Jesus went off to be by Himself to pray. It's …

Simple but Powerful Prayer for Children in Extreme Poverty

For many years, I've been involved with various missions helping children in extreme poverty. I've come to appreciate that one of the most powerful ways to help these children, their families, and their communities is through prayer. God is working in their midst, and He already has an amazing plan to bring individual children, families, …

Did You Know Charles Wesley Wrote Prayers to Sing? A Prayerful Look at Intercession Hymn #1 “For All Mankind”

In 1758, Charles Wesley published his collection of 40 Intercession Hymns. These hymns are examples of intercessory prayers set to music. Music is a good way to remember words, and singing helps people have words of prayer and scripture on their hearts and tongues throughout the day. Although Wesley’s collection of Intercession Hymns represents an …

After Trauma, There Is Life

I heard a broadcast recently where young businessmen were talking about the pandemic. It’s the first time they’ve had to deal with disaster recovery and business continuity. I could hear the fear and uncertainty in their voices. I wished they were in front of me so I could give them hope that one day we …

Where Has God Placed You as an Intercessor?

When you are called to serve God as an intercessor, and you say “Yes” to Him, don’t be surprised where He will place you for the purposes of intercession. Intercessors are called to affect the atmosphere around them, wherever that may be. God will allow them to see and hear circumstances and strategies for the …

Is Your Church Hurting for Money? 12 Ideas that Might Help

Many churches and ministries struggle to make ends meet. I know what it’s like for a ministry that lacks resources to pay the bills. And I’ve worked for a church as a full-time, unpaid staff member. Over the years I’ve spent time in prayer and in the Bible trying to understand how to live in …

Prayer for Individuals and Families Living in Poverty

In 2013 I was very blessed to be teaching an eight-week course to a church women's group. The focus of our course was on the challenges of poverty in the community and the church's response. We worked through a book on poverty. To use with their reading, I printed up and gave each woman a …

10 Things Moses Has Taught Me about Intercession

I did an inductive Bible study of Exodus 32-34, looking especially at the role of Moses as intercessor between God and His people. Being an intercessor myself, I was curious what Moses could teach us today about intercession. Following are just a few of the takeaways I learned from studying this passage: Students of Inductive …

Praying in Your Dreams

If you have made yourself available to God as an intercessor, don't be surprised if He prompts you to pray in your dreams. I can remember several instances of prayer during sleep. When I awoke, I knew I had been praying for someone. I've heard similar situations from intercessor friends. One situation I remember vividly. …