1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Scripture Insights In Paul’s first recorded letter to Timothy, a young leader appointed to give guidance […]

Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Scripture Insights Psalm 145 is a powerful psalm of praise written by David. The first stanzas declare the greatness of a God who is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. This God […]

Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Scripture Insights Everyone loves seeing the harvest, and at times God provides glimpses of the harvest to encourage us. However, we are not […]

Psalm 116:1-2 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Scripture Insights One of my favorite songs, written by my friend Dr. Terry Toler, is titled “He Still Speaks.” What a […]

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Scripture Insights As the apostle Paul concludes his […]

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Scripture Insights When I was fifteen years old, the walls and shelves of my bedroom displayed my glory. I had trophies, ribbons, and awards. Today, our social media walls are filled with photos […]

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Scripture Insights Scripture optimistically calls us to the best in the middle of difficult circumstances: Hope is great, but joy in hope is greater; surviving affliction is great, but patience in affliction is greater; occasional prayer is helpful, but faithfulness in prayer is […]

Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with […]

Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Scripture Insights We were foster parents to a teenage girl. We had the opportunity to remove the term “foster” […]

Ezra 8:23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. Scripture Insights The principle of fasting figures high in today’s text. I could go in many directions to plumb the riches of fasting, but my focus is on its aid to fervency in prayer. James 5:16 gives us a […]