Keep on Praying

Jesus’ public ministry was three years in length – a very short time. Yet Scripture tells us that He invested many hours in prayer. Prayer was the foundation of all He did. His disciples seeing this practice, recognized the power of prayer and asked Jesus to teach them to pray. In this week’s sermon, we will talk about the power of prayer in the life of each of us today, as disciples of Christ.


Scripure: Luke 11:1-13
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.’”

And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.'

And he answers from within, "Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

"So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"


Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon Questions Are Natural delivered on Christian Crusaders December 16, 2001:

How do I handle the problems of tomorrow? God’s Word says, “I will comfort you. I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with my glorious right hand. God is your refuge and strength. Be still, and know that I am God.” The problems of life are too big for any individual to handle alone.


Funding Christian Crusaders
Christian Crusaders is a nonprofit ministry dependent upon gifts from you, our listeners. Many people choose to contribute a $100 Broadcast Sponsor gift. ($100 is the average cost of one half-hour broadcast on one radio station.) Others provide a GEM Club (Gift-Every-Month). All gifts are tax-deductible. Christian Crusaders is thankful for the blessing of all gifts and your partnership in sharing the Gospel.


On the Light Side
A preacher went into the pulpit one Sunday morning wearing a pair of new bifocals. The reading portion of the glasses improved his vision considerably, but the top portion of the glasses didn’t work so well. In fact he was experiencing dizziness every time he looked through them. He explained to the congregation that the new glasses were causing problems. “I hope you will excuse my continually removing my glasses,” he said. “You see when I look down I can see fine, but when I look at you, it makes me sick.”