Tag Archives: discernment

Is God for Us or for Our Enemies?

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Michael Summers

As his Israelite army prepared to attack what even then was the ancient city of Jericho, Joshua “looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went to him and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged discernment, Election 2020, elections, faith and polltics, fear, humility, Joshua 5:14, justice, Prayer, will of God | Leave a comment

Prayer about a Father’s Hope

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Michael Summers

I preached about “A Father’s Hope” this past Sunday. Drawing from Isaiah chapters 7-9, I discussed how Isaiah’s sons participated in his ministry and became part of his message. As Isaiah proclaimed his message, he noted that he and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged christianity, conspiracy theory, discernment, faith, fake news, Father's Day, Immanuel, Isaiah, Prayer, religion, Religion and Politics, trust | 1 Comment

A Prayer the Day after Presidents Day

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Michael Summers

This past weekend, as I reflected on President’s Day, I thought of President James A. Garfield, the only preacher yet to be elected President of the United States. His unique personal history as preacher, educator, soldier, and statesman brought to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged church and state, discernment, government, Prayer, President Trump, President's Day, relligion | 2 Comments

A Prayer for God to Defend His Cause

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Michael Summers

Devastation surrounds the composer of Psalm 74. His mind recoils in shock as he remembers the ruins of the Temple of God in Jerusalem. The enemy had demolished the building. The Psalmist tells us that the invaders had not contented … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bargaining with God, christianity, confession, discernment, discipleship, Ecclesiastes, Lament, Problem of Evil, Psalms | 2 Comments

Prayer for Less Disputing

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Michael Summers

More than two hundred years ago, five Kentucky preachers penned a document (“The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery”) in which they opined that Christians should “pray more and dispute less.” Their words resonate with me when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christian unity, Church Music, confession, discernment, discipleship, ethics, faithfulness, fear, forgiveness, glorifying God, humility, Jesus, love, Prayer | 2 Comments

Prayer that Glorifies God

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Michael Summers

In an age where rage and insult infest social media posts and where people get shot after blowing their horn at a potentially speeding motorist, it is easy to be captivated by the fervent and righteous outrage and to yearn … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged armor of God, christianity, discernment, discipleship, ethics, faithfulness, glorifying God, holiness, love, Prayer, Problem of Evil, Religion and Politics | 5 Comments

Prayer When Grief Challenges Faith

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Michael Summers

The prayer of Psalm 143 spoke for me today. As I read it, its words echoed the pain in my soul. Like the Psalmist, I have felt crushed by events in my life. The most recent, and most painful, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged christianity, confession, discernment, faithfulness, glorifying God, hope, humility, love, overwhelmed, Prayer, Problem of Evil, Psalms, spirituality, Theology | 9 Comments

A Patient Prophet’s Prayer of Joy

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Michael Summers

Receiving a delayed gift unleashes pent-up joy. When we read a patient elderly prophet’s prayer in Luke 2, we may miss the joy that surely soaked Simeon’s words. He had received a promise that he would not die before he … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged armor of God, christianity, discernment, faith, faithfulness, glorifying God, hope, Jesus, joy, Prayer, Problem of Evil, spirituality | 1 Comment

Prayer as Response to God

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Michael Summers

Prayer may be a response to God. When we pray, we may attribute a recent event in our lives to the providence or the judgment of God. When we thank God for food, or a new job, or an answer … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged discernment, faith, glorifying God, humility, Jeremiah, Lament, listening, Prayer, submission, the judgment of God | 4 Comments

When to Pray, When to Protest

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Michael Summers

Injustice tears at our souls. When we sense inequity in treatment, anger surges within us. We cry for reprisal, and strike out in anger. Our will to forgive fades, eclipsed by “righteous” anger. When the injustice gains paradigmatic status in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged christianity, discernment, discipleship, ethics, fear, Ferguson, glorifying God, injustice, Lament, Prayer, protest | 4 Comments