A Model for Intercessory Prayer

Paul prayed for the Christians in Colossae, even though he had never personally visited them. His prayer included five petitions.

  1. That they might know God’s will

  2. That they might walk worthy of the Lord

  3. That they might be fruitful

  4. That they might grow in their knowledge of God

  5. That they might have patience with joy.

Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-11 shows us how we can pray for each other.

Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

3 Benefits of Suffering

According to 2 Corinithains 12:7-10, suffering brings three blessings into the life of the believer.

  1. Suffering prevents pride, “lest I should be exalted above measure.”

  2. Suffering promotes prayer, “I pleaded with the Lord three times.”

  3. Suffering perfects power, “when I am weak then I am strong.”

ABC's of Testifying at Asbury Revival

During the structured testimony time, an Asbury leader asked the students to observe the ABCs of testimony:

A — It’s all about Jesus.

B — Keep it brief.

C — Keep it current (no life stories; just tell us what Jesus is doing for you right now).

How to Have Hope

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness” (La 3:22–23).

The old preacher said, “If you don’t like the outlook, try the uplook!” Cognitive therapy agrees there is a vital link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Think good thoughts have good feelings. Think sad things feel sad. In Lamentations 3:21 Jeremiah employs same strategy, “I call this to mind and I have hope.” What did he call to mind? In the following verses he mentions four truths about God.

  1. GOD IS MERCIFUL, v 22a

  2. GOD IS COMPASSIONATE, v 22b

  3. GOD IS FAITHFUL, v 23

  4. GOD IS GOOD, v 24

The days of Jeremiah were not unlike our current times. Cultural decline broke the heart of the prophet. God was judging Judah through the savage hands of the Babylonians. Loss of life, loss of property and societal collapse was all about. Yet in the face of a national crisis Jeremiah changed his thoughts, focused on his loving Lord, and brightened his outlook. And that is how you too can have hope even in stressful times.