“Through him [Christ] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”- Ephesians 2:18 In Chapter 5 of Prayer, Timothy Keller astutely observes that while we know God is working out all things for our good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), we usually can’t discern what that good is. Stated another way, we […]
“For we who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 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.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit […]
“To encounter the words of the Scripture is to encounter God in action.”- Timothy Ward, Words of Life (2009) In Chapter 5 (“Encountering God”) of Prayer, Timothy Keller states that although prayer is a conversation with God, such conversations can remain at a superficial level, never rising to true personal encounter and relationship. It’s the […]
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”- Isaiah 9:2-3 “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.”- Desmond Tutu For my sixteenth Christmas, my parents gave me the opportunity to select […]
“The Bible does not present an art of prayer; it presents the God of prayer.”- Edmund Clowney, “A Biblical Theology” Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 4 of Prayer by emphasizing that God must be the starting point of prayer. Otherwise, our own perceived emotional needs drive our prayers, becoming our sole focus. We should, Pastor Keller […]
“I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.”- 1 Corinthians 14:15 As Timothy Keller continues Chapter 4 of Prayer, he reminds us that while prayer does have a mystical quality, St. Paul calls Christians to […]
As Timothy Keller continues Chapter 4 of Prayer, he states that we get our vocabulary for prayer from the Bible. He adds that this has parallels in the dynamic of human speech development. Because we learned language so early in life, we have no recall of the process. Before we spoke, we all were spoken […]
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword . . .”- Hebrews 4:12 In Chapter 4 (“Conversing with God”) of Prayer, Timothy Keller states that as a gift of the Holy Spirit, prayer becomes a continuation of a conversation started by God. As that conversation proceeds, Pastor Keller adds, […]
“For through him (Christ) we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”- Ephesians 2:18 As Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 3 of Prayer, he emphasizes that prayer can be much more than superficial conversation (where there isn’t much self-disclosure) with God. Some conversations go deep. That happens when we reveal not just information but our very […]
“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”- 1 Corinthians 13:12 “However difficult it may sound, the hearing really precedes the asking. It is the basis of it. It […]
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”- Colossians 1:27 In Chapter 3 (“What is Prayer?”) of Prayer, Timothy Keller presents his concept of prayer by drawing on two seemingly opposing views on prayer- mystical versus prophetic […]
Today Timothy Keller concludes his presentation of twelve aspects of the richness of prayer, found in Chapter 2 of Prayer. 9. Prayer is a refuge. Poet George Herbert states that prayer is a “sinner’s towre”. Pastor Keller explains that means “prayerful dependence on Jesus is our only refuge from our own sin.” Without our dependence […]