Tag Archives: discipleship

A Prayer that We Will Find our Security in God

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Michael Summers

Fifteen years ago, the fabric of security in which Americans had wrapped themselves was ripped away as hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. Our government responded with what the Attorney General … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged christianity, courage, discipleship, forgiveness, glorifying God, hope, love, Prayer, Psalm 146, reconciliation, September 11 | 1 Comment

Prayer When Planning for the Journey

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Michael Summers

I spoke yesterday about “Budgeting for the Journey” as part of a sermon series entitled “The Way of the Cross Leads Home.” When we embark on a journey, whether a holiday excursion or a work-related trip, pre-travel resource assessment … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged christianity, Counting the cost, discipleship, fear, humility, Prayer, reconciliation | Leave a comment

Prayer on Picking Up My Cross

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Michael Summers

Jesus prayed alone often. On several occasions his private prayer preceded significant moments in his ministry. After Jesus has been praying alone (Luke 9:18), he asks his disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” Their answers reveal that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christian identity, christianity, discipleship, faithfulness, Jesus, Prayer | 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

A Prayer During the Storm

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Michael Summers

I enjoyed an intense time of study and fellowship this past week. I spent most days (all day) in an intensive residence period with a small group of preachers from across the country examining the Exposition of Luke. Preachers from … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged discipleship, faith, faithfulness, fear, glorifying God, hope, Hymns, Jesus, leadership, love, mentoring, Prayer, Spiritual Formation | 1 Comment

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 | 6 Comments

Prayer for Those Who Seek Healthy Relationships

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Michael Summers

For several weeks, I have read blogs and other articles that anticipated the release of a movie called “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The impression I gained from what I read, even in articles that had a somewhat positive approach to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged discipleship, ethics, faithfulness, Fifty Shades of Grey, forgiveness, glorifying God, holiness, hope, integrity, morality, Old Fashioned, Prayer, relationships, spirituality | Leave a comment

A Prayer for Comfort and Forgiveness

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Michael Summers

I planted tomato seeds this year. Eventually, plants emerged and began to grow among the stakes I had placed to support them as their fruit grew and made them heavier. Small yellow flowers appeared, then were replaced by small green … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged baptism, confession, conversion, discipleship, faith, forgiveness, hope, humility, Jesus, Prayer, resurrection, salvation | 1 Comment

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