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The rule of grace

By Dave Henning / December 28, 2014

Timothy Keller concludes his discussion of Calvin’s rules of prayer in Chapter 7 of Prayer with a fifth “rule” that actually is a major qualification of the word rule. 5.  The rule of grace.  Calvin urges us not to conclude that any set of rules could make our prayers worthy to be heard.  Only grace […]

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Restful trust, yet confident hope

By Dave Henning / December 27, 2014

Timothy Keller pairs and considers Calvin’s third and fourth rules of prayer in today’s blog. 3 and 4.  Restful trust, yet confident hope.  Calvin’s third rule is that we should have a submissive trust in God, trusting in Him even when things aren’t going the way we would wish them to go.  Prayer enables us […]

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The fear of God

By Dave Henning / December 25, 2014

“If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.”- Psalm 130:3-4 In Chapter 7 (“Rules for Prayer”) of Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, Timothy Keller discusses four rules of prayer in John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion.  […]

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Total access

By Dave Henning / December 18, 2014

“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 […]

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Confidence or fear?

By Dave Henning / December 17, 2014

“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 […]

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Praying with understanding

By Dave Henning / December 13, 2014

“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 […]

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Communion with God

By Dave Henning / December 11, 2014

“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, […]

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Knowing God

By Dave Henning / December 10, 2014

“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 […]

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Answering God

By Dave Henning / December 9, 2014

“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 […]

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Endurance for the journey

By Dave Henning / December 6, 2014

In today’s blog, Timothy Keller continues his discussion on the richness of prayer in Chapter 2 of Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God.  The next four aspects (of twelve) of prayer are presented. 5.  Prayer tunes your heart to God.  Pastor Keller observes that when our hearts are tuned to God, our joy will have […]

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The richness of prayer

By Dave Henning / December 5, 2014

Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 2 of Prayer with a detailed discussion of the richness of prayer, specifically citing the rich word pictures written by poet George Herbert (1593-1633) in his “Prayer (I)”.  Pastor Keller considers this poem “one of the greatest descriptions of prayer outside of the Bible.” Pastor Keller notes that there is a […]

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Take hold of God

By Dave Henning / December 3, 2014

“There is no one who calls upon your name, who raises himself to take hold of you.”- Isaiah 64:7 As Timothy Keller continues Chapter 2 of Prayer, he states that in ancient times people appealed to a great man by taking hold of his cloak.  Similarly, St. Paul sees prayer as a way to get […]

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