Gospel Prayerfulness
Praying Together
June 1, 2021
Clint Goode
Have you ever considered the connection between prayer and the gospel? The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to save sinners from the wrath of God.
For some—this news is just “bleh” … To the church in Corinth the apostle Paul wrote: “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing” (1 Cor 1:18).
If you are spiritually blind to your own sin and need for a Savior, the gospel is a snoozer, but not so for the believer.
“But to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1:18).
God the Father, through the Son and by the Spirit, did for us what we could never do in our own strength (Rom 8:3).
The gospel is the good news that God has done for us what we were unable to do on our own.
As Christians we should stand in this gospel every day.
Sadly, “other gospels” distract us.
Mindlessly we tend to be consumed with self—but to think upon the Lord requires more attentiveness.
If we are not careful, we can believe the gospel of self or stability, the gospel of power or progress, the gospel of intellect or influence, the gospel of kings and kingdoms or the gospel of health and wealth. Like the mythical sirens, numerous false gospels call to us each day for our destruction, but we must not embrace or believe them. We must be diligent to fight the daily urge to turn to another gospel. You may be asking: How do I fight this daily urge?
Prayer has to be central in this fight. The way we pray (our fervency and our frequency) provides a picture of gospel vitality. In other words— prayerfulness is not only a measure of who we are trusting in, but it is also primary in our battle to daily trust the One who meets all our needs in Christ.
When we pray—we proclaim our powerlessness.
When we pray—we confess we have no control.
When we pray—we declare our desperation for God.
When we pray—we welcome God’s wisdom.
When we pray—we invite the Lord’s intervention, turning to Him in our time of need.
Every time we bow our hearts to the Father—we rehearse the truth of the gospel. As we pray, we declare that God is able to do and accomplish for our good and His glory what is best. Apart from God—I can do nothing. This is truer for each of us than we know or imagine.
The gospel reminds us that for our salvation—we desperately need God to step in. Prayer reiterates this marvelous truth and reorients our heart to God as our provider and sustainer: the One who works all things for good for those who are called according to His purpose.
Our need for the author of life to be our sole source of life in Christ Jesus is greater than the chasm between the earth and the sun a trillion times over. Likewise we desperately need His intervention in every sphere of life.
Prayer humbles our heart and invites the Lord, sovereign and wise, rich in mercy, to move and work in our midst for His purposes, His glory and our good.
Do you find yourself thinking that God is unable to help or simply disinterested?
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:16)
Do you struggle to find joy in your circumstances?
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (Phil 4:6-7)
Do you lack the wisdom needed for the situation you find yourself in?
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)
Jesus came to save sinners from the wrath of God. He did for us what we could never do on our own. Daily, we get to practice this truth as we call to Him in prayer so that He will work in our lives for our good and His glory.
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry… When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. (Ps 34:15, 17)
May the Lord make us a people consistent in our desperation for Him not only to save us but in in all of life through prayer.
We need Him every day.
Call to Him.
He is near and ready to deliver.
June 1, 2021
Clint Goode
Have you ever considered the connection between prayer and the gospel? The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to save sinners from the wrath of God.
For some—this news is just “bleh” … To the church in Corinth the apostle Paul wrote: “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing” (1 Cor 1:18).
If you are spiritually blind to your own sin and need for a Savior, the gospel is a snoozer, but not so for the believer.
“But to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1:18).
God the Father, through the Son and by the Spirit, did for us what we could never do in our own strength (Rom 8:3).
The gospel is the good news that God has done for us what we were unable to do on our own.
As Christians we should stand in this gospel every day.
Sadly, “other gospels” distract us.
Mindlessly we tend to be consumed with self—but to think upon the Lord requires more attentiveness.
If we are not careful, we can believe the gospel of self or stability, the gospel of power or progress, the gospel of intellect or influence, the gospel of kings and kingdoms or the gospel of health and wealth. Like the mythical sirens, numerous false gospels call to us each day for our destruction, but we must not embrace or believe them. We must be diligent to fight the daily urge to turn to another gospel. You may be asking: How do I fight this daily urge?
Prayer has to be central in this fight. The way we pray (our fervency and our frequency) provides a picture of gospel vitality. In other words— prayerfulness is not only a measure of who we are trusting in, but it is also primary in our battle to daily trust the One who meets all our needs in Christ.
When we pray—we proclaim our powerlessness.
When we pray—we confess we have no control.
When we pray—we declare our desperation for God.
When we pray—we welcome God’s wisdom.
When we pray—we invite the Lord’s intervention, turning to Him in our time of need.
Every time we bow our hearts to the Father—we rehearse the truth of the gospel. As we pray, we declare that God is able to do and accomplish for our good and His glory what is best. Apart from God—I can do nothing. This is truer for each of us than we know or imagine.
The gospel reminds us that for our salvation—we desperately need God to step in. Prayer reiterates this marvelous truth and reorients our heart to God as our provider and sustainer: the One who works all things for good for those who are called according to His purpose.
Our need for the author of life to be our sole source of life in Christ Jesus is greater than the chasm between the earth and the sun a trillion times over. Likewise we desperately need His intervention in every sphere of life.
Prayer humbles our heart and invites the Lord, sovereign and wise, rich in mercy, to move and work in our midst for His purposes, His glory and our good.
Do you find yourself thinking that God is unable to help or simply disinterested?
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:16)
Do you struggle to find joy in your circumstances?
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (Phil 4:6-7)
Do you lack the wisdom needed for the situation you find yourself in?
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)
Jesus came to save sinners from the wrath of God. He did for us what we could never do on our own. Daily, we get to practice this truth as we call to Him in prayer so that He will work in our lives for our good and His glory.
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry… When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. (Ps 34:15, 17)
May the Lord make us a people consistent in our desperation for Him not only to save us but in in all of life through prayer.
We need Him every day.
Call to Him.
He is near and ready to deliver.
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