Whether religious or not, prayer is a big part of many people’s lives. For Christians, it’s a time when we can talk to God, open our hearts to Him, ask for forgiveness and help, or thank Him. Have you ever prayed really hard for something…but then…nothing? Radio silence. It seems like nothing happened, and you might start to wonder – was God not listening? Does God even answer my prayers? Or did He just choose not to answer that prayer? When we feel this way, we should consider the following points.
Continue reading “How To Make Sure God Will Answer Your Prayers”Why Do We Pray in the Name of Jesus?
Prayer – it’s something all religions have and many people do, even when they don’t believe in God or a higher power. Some people recite lengthy prayers, while others might lift up a quick few words. Prayer is how believers of any faith communicate with the deity they believe in. People pray for blessings and for physical needs or desires. They pray to share their feelings and thoughts with their deity or the universe.
For Christians, we pray to God, the Creator and Father of our spirits. When it comes to the end of the prayer though, how should we end it? Do we just say “Amen” and be done with it?
Continue reading “Why Do We Pray in the Name of Jesus?”Music to God’s Ears: How to Pray a Prayer that Pleases God
Picture this. You’re at a church gathering, everything is coming to an end and it’s about time for the closing prayer. They’re about to choose someone to pray and everyone starts to get nervous. You know the drill… smile, don’t make eye contact, don’t act suspicious, close your eyes, get ready to pray. But then, you hear your name. “Gabriella, will you pray for us?” My whole body seizes, and I forget how to talk. But I’m somehow able to mutter a nervous, “Sure,” with a smile on my face. Have you ever felt like this before? Or is it just me?
Continue reading “Music to God’s Ears: How to Pray a Prayer that Pleases God”5 God-Centered Ways to Grow Spiritually in 2021
I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting to use the new year as a chance to refocus to grow spiritually. Maybe you want to develop better prayer habits or read the entire Bible. Maybe you want to try to go to church more often. But overall, improving your life of faith is admittedly no easy feat. I used to tell myself every year that this would be the year I’d finally become the “good, mature Christian” I’d always wanted to be. The problem was that I would set the same goals, year after year, without being able to make any lasting changes in my life. I was obviously doing something wrong.
Continue reading “5 God-Centered Ways to Grow Spiritually in 2021”Playing Hide and Seek with God
Hide and seek. It’s a game most of us are very familiar with and have played many times. We all know that rush of excitement and nervousness as the seeker begins their countdown while everyone else makes a mad dash to find that perfect hiding spot. The anticipation builds when you hear that, “Ready or not, here I come!” And then it’s time to hold your breath as you hope to remain unfound.
Continue reading “Playing Hide and Seek with God”How I Left the Church and Still Found God
Twenty-five years.
Each one of these years was spent in the church, my second home. Generations of family, the best of friends, conferences, events, memories to last a lifetime, but then, it all changed. There was a voice inside of me that I had quieted over the years…and it became louder and louder, like she could no longer stay silent. I found myself feeling empty, not learning anything, like my eyes were opened to a church that I didn’t even recognize.
Continue reading “How I Left the Church and Still Found God”If Only You Knew…
If only you knew how much God loves you…how much He has worked and fought on your behalf. Like a military general that has been fighting a 6,000 year-long war, planning the most intricate rescue mission to redeem his people from sin and death…from Satan. Did you know?
If only you knew the countless lives that have been sacrificed to get His desperate plea to you: to come back to him. To leave darkness and step into the light. Yes, it’s scary. Everything we’ve ever known has actually been the greatest deception, Satan’s masterpiece. But God is even greater – always ahead of Satan, always working in the background, quietly, naturally, and building his case. And now He is presenting it, to you.
Continue reading “If Only You Knew…”