Cheers, it’s 2025! You’ve entered one-quarter of the way into the 21st century. How do you feel about the problems and possibilities ahead? I feel a bit nervous but excited. And I don’t make New Year’s resolutions anymore. Instead, I evaluate the past year in December and make intentions for the coming year. Yes, I intend to eat better, exercise more, and be more patient! … [Read more...] about Lord, Teach Us to Pray . . . continued.
Prayer
Lord, teach us to pray
Recent months contained outbursts of screaming circumstances that cornered me into admitting, “Man is born for trouble as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). The world staggers from explosive devastation: Rattled and disoriented, I pondered these tragedies and muttered, “Lord have mercy.” Because I was teaching a church workshop on The Life of Prayer, I beelined it to … [Read more...] about Lord, teach us to pray
Ignite Prayer Canada: a vision for nationwide local houses of prayer
Imagine 1,000 churches across Canada radiant with God’s electrifying presence. Imagine continual fires burning on spiritual altars with faith-filled and united prayer, Scripture-fed and Spirit-led, fixated on God’s rule and righteousness. Where intercession fused with Gospel proclamation activate harvests of lost people converting to Christ, baptized, Spirit-empowered, … [Read more...] about Ignite Prayer Canada: a vision for nationwide local houses of prayer
Prayer and pursuing holiness
When people ask, “What’s your background?” My reply is, “Pagan!” I grew up as a non-Christian in Southern California with a sin-infested lifestyle devoid of God. But one Friday night, while I was stoned on LSD, Jesus Christ encountered me through a high school buddy who shared the gospel with me. The Spirit pierced my darkness and propelled me onto a journey of conversion. It … [Read more...] about Prayer and pursuing holiness
Prayer and pursuing God’s presence
I have a vivid memory where my mother had me recite my first childhood prayer for bedtime comfort: “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” That prayer gripped my heart with fear, not comfort! Since then, I’ve learned to express better prayers and I am devoted to prayer (Acts 6:4; … [Read more...] about Prayer and pursuing God’s presence