Timothy Keller continues Chapter 14 of Prayer by stating that prayer is powerful and effective because God allows the world to be “in some sense” under the control of prayer’s power. He relates a story told by Austin Phelps in his volume on prayer. The pagan Saxon king of Northumbria, Ethelfrith, had invaded Wales and […]
“Listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth, I cry to you. I call as my heart grows faint.”- Psalm 61:1-2 In Chapter 14 (“Struggle: Asking for Help”) of Prayer, Timothy Keller discusses a third form of prayer- supplication. Pastor Keller defines supplication as “asking God for things for yourself, for others, and […]
Continuing his reflection on Ephesians 3:14-19 in Chapter 11 of Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, Timothy Keller states that the word grasp means “to wrestle”- to jump on someone, wrestle that person to the ground, and knock the person out. The word grasp might seem, Pastor Keller notes, a very strange word to […]
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.”- Ephesians 3:14 Timothy Keller continues his discussion of Ephesians 3:14-19 in Chapter 11 of Prayer by taking specific note of Paul’s opening phrase of his prayer- that he (Paul) kneels before the Father. In […]
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”- 2 Corinthians 5:21 At the end of Chapter 10 of Prayer, Timothy Keller reminds us that the phrase “law of the Lord” (Psalm 1:2) refers to all of Scripture, particularly its normative […]
As Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 10 of Prayer, he notes that British theologian John Owen (1616-1683) believed there were three distinctive movements or stages within meditation. Owen first distinguished meditation from Bible study and from prayer proper: “It is distinguished from the study of the Word, wherein the principal aim is to learn the truth […]
Today Timothy Keller concludes his discussion of the twelve touchstones of prayer with the final three touchstones, clustered under the heading “Where Prayer Takes Us”. 10. Self knowledge: prayer requires and creates honesty and self-knowledge. Pastor Keller notes that prayer must take us beyond humility into deep honesty with ourselves. Although honesty in prayer before […]
“As far as I can see, prayer has been ordained only for the helpless. . . . Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only he who is helpless can truly pray.”- Ole Hallesby, Prayer Timothy Keller continues his discussion of the twelve touchstones of prayer by presenting the three things prayer requires. Prayer requires: 4. Grace- […]
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope; because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”- Lamentations 3:21-22 “Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?”- Amelia Earhart A […]
Today Timothy Keller discusses the second and third touchstones of prayer in Chapter 9 of Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God. 2. Prayer is conversing with God- responding to the Word. Pastor Keller notes that “to walk with” someone in the Bible is to have a friendship, since people talk as they walk together. […]
“That we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command.”- Thomas Cranmer “For my heart’s desire unto Thine is bent; I aspire to a full consent.”- George Herbert Timothy Keller continues his discussion of the Lord’s Prayer in Chapter 6 of Prayer by considering the next two […]
Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 7 of Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God as he discusses why we always are heard for Jesus’ sake. Pastor Keller notes that God named the anointed kings of Israel- David and Solomon- to be his sons. Yet, the history of Israel and of Israel’s kings was marked by failure […]