Tag Archives: self-denial

Sleeping When We Ought to be Praying

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Michael Summers

Jonah was on the run from God. God had given him a mission that grated against Jonah’s prejudices. Jonah hated Assyrians; God called Jonah to preach to the Assyrians in their capital city of Ninevah. Jonah ran to the port … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged christianity, confession, ethics, faithfulness, fear, glorifying God, humility, integrity, Jonah, Prayer, rebellion, self-denial, submission, Theology | 1 Comment

A Prayer After Memorial Day

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Michael Summers

King Saul of Israel considered David an enemy during the latter days of his reign. David formerly had served as commander of Saul’s army. David, also a musician, had used that skill to calm the temperamental monarch. Saul … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged courage, David, fallen warriors, forgiveness, Lament, leadership, Memorial Day, mourning, Prayer, sacrificial love, Saul, self-denial, service | Leave a comment

A National Prayer of Confession for Sins of Previous Generations

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Michael Summers

Nehemiah chapters 8 and 9 record the formal spiritual restoration of a nation. Having returned from deportation to Babylonia, the Jewish people renew their allegiance to God. Their devout governor has helped refocus their attention on prayer and integrity. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged christianity, confession, covenant, discernment, discipleship, faithfulness, forgiveness, holiness, humility, integrity, Nehemiah, Prayer, self-denial | 1 Comment

A Prayer for Joy, Peace, and Hope

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Michael Summers

Division, whether in politics, families, or churches, arises often from insecurity. Paul’s prayer of blessing in Romans 15:13 underscores the role of trust (faith) in achieving peace. Disunity disrupts growth; it displaces hope with confusion and anger. Even as Christianity … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christian unity, Church of Christ, faith, glorifying God, hope, Hymns, joy, love, Paul, peace, Prayer, Romans, self-denial | 3 Comments

A Prayer for Unity through Following Jesus

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Michael Summers

Unity can seem elusive to a group from diverse ethnic and religious heritages. When writing to Christians in Roman, the apostle Paul prays that the church in Rome may know unity as they follow Jesus: “May the God who gives … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christian unity, christianity, discipleship, faithfulness, glorifying God, Jesus, Prayer, self-denial | 4 Comments

Praying for Focus in Our Lives

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Michael Summers

Distractions abound in our lives. Children clamor for the attention of parents. As parents, we worry about their choice of friends and their safety in athletics. We grieve when we cannot give them what others have; we weep when they … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged christianity, discernment, ethics, faithfulness, focus, Jesus, Prayer, preaching, priorities, self-denial, spirituality, wisdom | 1 Comment

Praying On the Run

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Michael Summers

Desperate situations sometimes preclude long prayers. A vehicle driver who has narrowly avoided a crash may quickly breathe the words, “Thank you, Lord.” The prayer requires no more words. Several of Old Testament Judean political leader Nehemiah’s prayers fall into … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged discipleship, ethics, faithfulness, integrity, leadership, Loyalty, Nehemiah, Prayer, Religion and Politics, self-denial | 6 Comments

When Sharing Faith Means Prayer and Hard Ethical Decisions

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Michael Summers

Paul’s letter to an individual, Philemon, includes a mentoring call for fire for more effective sharing of faith: “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ethics, evangelism, forgiveness, mentoring, Onesimus, Paul, Philemon, Prayer, self-denial, Spiritual Formation | Leave a comment

Prayer and Integrity

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Michael Summers

“Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged faithfulness, integrity, Prayer, Prayer of Jabez, Proverbs, self-denial, Spiritual Formation | 5 Comments

Jesus and Temptation in the Garden of Olives

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Michael Summers

Jesus executed a “Call for Fire” when facing death. “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place he said to them, ‘”Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged christianity, faithfulness, Jesus, Mount of Olives, overwhelmed, Prayer, self-denial, submission, temptation, Theology | 2 Comments