Prayer¶
We've crafted an unofficial, source-cited, non-commercial index of Dr. R.C. Sproul's publicly available teachings, weighted by how many independent sources corroborate each point. The content is authored by Dr. R.C. Sproul and published by Ligonier Ministries (a few items are third-party YouTube re-uploads); see the Methodology & Rights page for more info. Quotations are brief, linked to their source, and reproduced for study under Ligonier's Copyright Policy (ligonier.org/copyright-policy). This site is humbly offered for personal use only, out of love and respect, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ligonier Ministries or St. Andrew's Chapel.
168 positions — 8 corroborated across multiple sources.
Well-attested positions¶
Independently stated in two or more of his messages.
Jesus prayed for Peter so that he would be strengthened when he eventually repented.
But in the case of the denial of Simon Peter, Jesus said, “Satan is going to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you so that, not if you turn, but when you turn, strengthen the brethren.”
Corroborated across 3 sources: The Comfort of Jesus’ Prayers (Ligonier article) · Jesus’ Prayers (Ligonier article) · Peter's Denial (Ligonier)
While prayer does not change God, it is effectual and changes the believer.
The Scriptures tell us that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). This text declares that prayer is effectual. It is not a pious exercise in futility. That which is futile avails nothing. Prayer, however, avails much. That which avails much is never futile. What does prayer avail? What does it change? In the first place, my prayers change me.
Corroborated across 3 sources: Does Prayer Change God’s Mind? (Ligonier article) · God-Ordained Means (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
God preserves His people through the priestly intercession of Jesus.
One of the chief ways in which God preserves His people is through the priestly intercession of Jesus.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Comfort of Jesus’ Prayers (Ligonier article) · Jesus’ Prayers (Ligonier article)
The initial petition of the Lord's Prayer is that God's name should be treated as sacred and holy.
He said, "When you pray, I want you to pray this: The first thing I want you to pray for when you get on your knees is that the name of God would be treated as sacred, as holy."
Corroborated across 2 sources: “Hallowed Be Your Name" (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 21:31
When believers do not know how or what to pray for, the Holy Spirit assists them, and He intercedes according to God's will.
Romans 8:26-27 says: When we don’t know how to pray or what to pray for in a given situation, the Holy Spirit assists us. There is reason to believe from the text that if we pray incorrectly, the Holy Spirit corrects the error in our prayers before he takes them before the Father, for verse 27 tells us that He “intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Place of Prayer (Ligonier article) · From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The pastor must equip the congregation by teaching them practical skills such as prayer, worship, evangelism, and mercy ministry.
It is the pastor’s responsibility to teach his sheep how to pray, how to worship, how to evangelize, how to be engaged profitably in the mercy ministries of the church.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Shepherding the Flock (Ligonier article) · What Does It Mean to Be a Shepherd Over the Flock? (Ligonier article)
Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, asking God to remove the cup of suffering, but ultimately submitting to God's will.
And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.’
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 17:24 · Jesus at Gethsemane (Ligonier)
Anyone who wishes to follow Jesus must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him.
If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Taking Up the Cross (Ligonier) · Peter's Confession and Our Cross (Ligonier)
Further positions¶
Drawn from a single high-trust (official transcript) source.
God encourages people to ask questions, regardless of how simple they seem, because it helps them grasp ultimate truth.
But God loves to answer questions—the “stupider” the better—because He loves for us to have the ultimate truth we need to complete the sentence “I believe . . . ” He never loses patience with a question, and neither do people who are serving Him.
Source: Asking the Right Questions (Ligonier article)
God interrogates Job by asking rhetorical questions about things Job cannot do, thereby demonstrating Job's inferiority and subordination.
God raises question after question in this manner. “Can you bind the chains of the Pleides? Or loose the belt of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?” (vv. 31–32).
Source: The Book of Job (Ligonier article)
The Christian should pursue God by asking what course of action is pleasing to Him, viewing this search as a holy quest.
On the other hand, it is a delight to God to hear the prayers of His people when they individually ask, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” The Christian pursues God, looking for his marching orders, seeking to know what course of action is pleasing to him. This search for the will of God is a holy quest--a pursuit that is to be undertaken with vigor by the godly person.
Source: Can I Know God’s Will? (Ligonier article)
Jesus' prayers are specifically for those whom God has chosen, not for the world at large.
I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours” (John 17:9).
Source: The Comfort of Jesus’ Prayers (Ligonier article)
Jesus prays for believers, including those who will come to faith through the Apostles' words.
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word
Source: The Comfort of Jesus’ Prayers (Ligonier article)
When praying the Lord's Prayer, believers must pray it thoughtfully, giving attention to its content, rather than treating it as a mindless mantra.
When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we need to pray it thoughtfully, giving attention in our minds to its content. It is not a mantra to be repeated without the engagement of the mind or heart. It is an example of godly prayer.
Source: Don’t Pray like a Pagan (Ligonier article)
Scripture demonstrates that prayer is effective, showing that God responds to the prayers of both individuals and the community.
Jesus' prayer for Peter was effective. Not only do we see the prayers of Jesus effecting change in this world, we also see the prayers of the saints working. In the early days of the church, Peter was thrown into prison, but the believers gathered for a season of intense prayer on his behalf.
Source: The Efficacy of Prayer (Ligonier article)
Moses and Jeremiah both received divine calls but were rebuked by God for protesting based on the claim that they lacked the necessary ability.
Both experienced God’s rebuke for seeking to evade a divine calling on the basis of the flimsy claim that they lacked the ability to do the job.
Source: God’s Will and Your Job (Ligonier article)
The petitions Jesus gave his disciples are the priorities they should ask for in their prayers.
A petition, then, is a request. For this reason, those specific requests Jesus gave His disciples in the Lord’s Prayer are known as the petitions. These are the priorities that Jesus indicated His disciples should ask for in their prayers.
Source: “Hallowed Be Your Name" (Ligonier article)
The speaker argues that the petitions in the Lord's Prayer are so interconnected that they cannot be separated from one another.
Those petitions may be distinguished one from another, but they’re so interconnected that we dare not divorce them from one another.
Source: “Hallowed Be Your Name" (Ligonier article)
The natural answer for modern worship is for Christians to gather together in local churches.
So today it would seem that the obvious answer to the “where” question is that we should be worshiping together with other Christians as we gather in local churches.
Source: How Should We Then Worship? (Ligonier article)
Since humans primarily communicate through speech, spoken prayer is a necessary form of communion and communication with God.
We are creatures who communicate primarily through speech. Spoken prayer is obviously a form of speech, a way for us to commune and communicate with God.
Source: If God Is Sovereign, Why Pray? (Ligonier article)
The instruction 'do not let the sun go down on your anger' means that one should not harbor or nurture grudges, but rather let the anger dissipate.
Don’t harbor it. Don’t nurture it. Don’t hold on to it; instead, let it dissipate, let it go away.
Source: Is It OK to Be Angry? (Ligonier article)
Jesus is currently interceding for believers in heaven, and these prayers are effective.
Today, Jesus is in heaven, interceding for you and me, if indeed we belong to Him, and His prayers for us are equally effective.
Source: Jesus’ Prayers (Ligonier article)
While believers can bring all their cares to God, they must avoid approaching Him in a spirit of complaint or anger.
By considering the scope of the Bible’s teaching on this subject, we may conclude that it is acceptable to bring all our cares to God, including matters that may move us to frustration or anger. However, we must not come to God in a spirit of complaint or anger against Him, for it is never proper to accuse God of wrongdoing.
Source: Is it Ever Legitimate to Complain to God or to Express Anger to God? (Ligonier article)
Jesus' prayers in John 17 were specific to His disciples, not the entire world.
Notice that He said He was praying for His disciples—not for the world. In the most poignant prayer of intercession He offered in this world as our High Priest, Jesus explicitly said He was not praying for everybody. Instead, He was praying for the elect.
Source: Does the Doctrine of Limited Atonement Undermine Evangelism? (Ligonier article)
The primary petition of the Lord's Prayer is that God's name will be hallowed.
The first and chief of those petitions is that we pray that the name of God will be hallowed.
Source: Our Father (Ligonier article)
Fulfilling the first petition requires treating God with supreme reverence, honor, and adoration.
Both of these desires can only be met when and if the God of the kingdom of heaven and of earth is treated with supreme reverence, honor, and adoration.
Source: Our Father (Ligonier article)
The primary purpose of prayer is for the edification of the individual believer, not for changing God.
The purpose of prayer is not to change God. He doesn’t change because He doesn’t need changing. But I do. Just as Dr. Berkouwer’s questions to me were not for his benefit but for mine, so my time with God is for my edification, not His.
Source: God-Ordained Means (Ligonier article)
The Holy Spirit teaches, inspires, and illuminates God's Word, and assists believers in responding to the Father in prayer.
It is the Holy Spirit who teaches, inspires, and illumines God’s Word to us. He mediates the Word of God and assists us in responding to the Father in prayer.
Source: The Place of Prayer (Ligonier article)
A person must humbly ask God for salvation, as this prayer is the one God promised to hear.
Knowledge of the Good News—salvation through the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—will come from one source or another, but in the final analysis, a person must humbly ask God for salvation. The prayer of salvation is the one prayer of the wicked God has said He will hear.
Source: The Place of Prayer (Ligonier article)
While God invites people to draw near, this approach must always be balanced by remembering and regarding Him as holy.
Over and over again God invited the people, “Come near to Me.” But that invitation was balanced by what God said following the deaths of Nadab and Abihu: “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy.”
Source: Preparing Your Heart for Worship (Ligonier article)
When praying, one should use phrases like “If You please” or “As You wish” to show deference to God's sovereignty.
We will say, “By Your leave,” “As You wish,” “If You please,” and so on.
Source: Should We Qualify Our Prayers with "If It Be Your Will"? (Ligonier article)
The acrostic A.C.T.S. is a useful guide because it not only lists the elements of prayer but also indicates the proper priority for each.
Not only does this acrostic remind us of the elements of prayer, it shows us the priority we ought to give to each.
Source: A Simple Acrostic for Prayer (Ligonier article)
The Sophists focused their instruction on rhetoric, which involved mastering public speaking and the art of persuasion.
Along with the concern for rhetoric in the Sophist stream was training in the art of persuasion.
Source: Socrates or Sophism? (Ligonier article)
Nehemiah's prayer included adoration for God's majesty and faithfulness, followed by a plea for forgiveness for the people's sins.
His prayer was first of all a prayer of adoration for the majestic awe of God and for His faithfulness to His people: “O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments.” Even in exile, Nehemiah praised God for His covenant faithfulness. Then the focus of his prayer turned to repentance, pleading with God to forgive the sins of his own people, acknowledging that they had brought exile upon themselves.
Source: Songs from Exile (Ligonier article)
The injunction to let a donation 'sweat in your hand before you give it' emphasizes careful discernment regarding where one gives their donation.
The point is to be very careful, very discerning where you give your donation.
Source: What Does the Bible Say About Christian Tithing? (Ligonier article)
The effectiveness of prayer is not automatic or magical, and it is subject to specific conditions.
The power of prayer is neither automatic nor magical. Conditions are attached to the promises of the Bible regarding prayer.
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
Simplistically approaching biblical aphorisms about prayer can lead to bizarre theories and distortions.
Shorthand summaries like these have provoked bizarre theories of prayer where people have violently isolated these passages from everything else Jesus and the Bible say about prayer. Distortions also abound when we approach these aphorisms simplistically.
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
The simple summaries Jesus gives are intended only to encourage people to pray.
The simple summaries Jesus gives are designed to encourage us to pray.
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
Effective prayer requires that requests align with the revealed will and nature of God.
And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
The ability to pray effectively is tied to obedience and keeping God's commandments.
And we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
Prayer is defined as the function of carrying a petition to God.
Prayer is the priestly function of carrying a petition to God.
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
Christ continues to act as our High Priest by interceding for us with the Father.
There he prays for his people, interceding with the Father on our behalf.
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
While individual expression is allowed, prayer requires structure and procedure to avoid pitfalls.
Prayer requires structure, but not at the expense of spontaneity. I have tried to give direction to avoid harmful pitfalls in our pilgrimage. No band director tells his musicians to play whatever is on their hearts and then expects to hear “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
Believers are invited to approach God boldly, but they must do so with reverence and caution.
We have been invited to come boldly before God, but never flippantly, arrogantly, or presumptuously. Ecclesiastes 5:2 reminds us that we are not to be “hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon the earth.”
Source: The Power of Prayer (Ligonier article)
Pastors should make an effort to physically interact with and greet congregants, especially the elderly, to combat loneliness.
If that person is an elderly man or woman, and especially if it is an elderly widow, the pastor should never, ever shake with one hand. He must take that lady’s hand in both of his hands.
Source: The Sense of Touch in Worship (Ligonier article)
The petition for daily bread in the Lord's Prayer teaches believers to approach God with humble dependence, trusting Him to provide for their daily needs.
This petition of the Lord’s Prayer, then, teaches us to come to God in a spirit of humble dependence, asking Him to provide what we need and to sustain us from day to day.
Source: What Does “Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread” Mean? (Ligonier article)
To perceive God's providential hand, one must pray specifically and pour out their needs, rather than praying generally.
When we pray in general, the only way we will see the hand of God’s providence is in general. As we enter into prayer, this conversation and communion with God, and put our petitions before Him, pouring out our souls and our needs specifically, we see specific answers to our prayers.
Source: What Does “Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread” Mean? (Ligonier article)
The first petition of the Lord's Prayer, 'Hallowed be Your name,' is a necessary prerequisite for the Kingdom of God to come to the world.
Manifestly, unless and until the name of God is regarded as holy, His kingdom will not and cannot come to this world.
Source: What Is the Kingdom of God? (Ligonier article)
When Jesus spoke about not being anxious, he was specifically addressing the issue of anxiety, not advocating for a careless approach to life.
He was not advocating a careless approach to life. He was talking about anxiety. We are not to be frightened; we are to put our trust in the God who will meet our needs.
Source: What Is Providence? (Ligonier article)
Believers who are in Christ and have been illuminated by the Holy Spirit will not commit the unforgivable sin, and this is due to Christ's intercession.
no one who is in Christ, who has been made alive by the Holy Spirit, who has known the illumination of His knowledge of the identity of Christ, would ever sink so far as to accuse Jesus of being satanic.
Source: What Is the Unpardonable Sin? (Ligonier article)
A good study Bible is an extremely important tool for helping people grow in their understanding of God.
I continue to believe that a good study Bible is one of the most important tools for helping people grow in the things of God.
Source: Why a Study Bible? (Ligonier article)
God challenges His people to test Him by asking if He will not open the windows of heaven and pour down a blessing.
Put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need” (Mal. 3:10).
Source: Will Man Rob God? (Ligonier article)
The speaker found that praying in tongues did not bring him great edification, and he preferred to pray with understanding.
But I found no great edification from it and still preferred to pray with understanding.
Source: Zeal without Knowledge (Ligonier article)
Believers are called to be patient and longsuffering when dealing with insults and injuries, rather than reacting in anger.
But what we are called to be are patient and longsuffering, not reacting in fury the first time somebody slights us. We can’t do that.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 21:18
Paul urgently pleaded with Timothy to visit him quickly because several people had abandoned him.
Be diligent to come to me quickly, for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world and has departed for Thessalonica, Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 8:57
Jesus warned the disciples that they should pray and stay awake to avoid temptation, but they failed to do so.
Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. So again he went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 17:58
All Christians are called to please God.
but all of us are called to please God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:09
When reading Scripture, one should actively engage their mind rather than shutting it off.
I don’t ask you to shut off your mind when you read the Scripture; I ask you to turn it on.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:07
Jesus prayed for his disciples that they would be preserved from falling out of God's hand.
Not only did He pray for His disciples in John 17 that they would never be snatched out of God's hand, but He prays for us that we would be preserved.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:42
People should be careful with their speech and anger to prevent causing unnecessary harm.
So we need to be slow to speak and to wound and to keep our anger in check so that that tongue does not set the forest on fire.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 26:46
To call upon Christ, one must first believe He is the Savior, which requires hearing about Him from others.
You don't call on a savior to save you if you don't believe that he is the Savior. And you can't believe that He is the Savior if you've never even heard about Him!
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:26
The people should pray for God's name to be regarded as holy, and for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus said, "You know what I want you to pray for? I want you to pray that my Father's name would be regarded as holy. You see, then I want you to say, 'Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth even as it is in heaven.'
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:31
The solution to anxiety is to return to God through prayer and fellowship with Him.
But again, what’s the solution to that? It’s going back to our Father. It’s going to Him in prayer. It’s entering into fellowship with Him.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:21
After understanding God's work, the proper response is to submit to His command and request what He wills.
O God, command what Thou wilt and grant what Thou dost command.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 53:43
Using random methods, like flipping a Bible to find an answer, is no different than using a Ouija board.
there's no difference between that and using your Ouija board.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:22
When confronted with abuse, the immediate action should be to call the police and have the abuser detained.
I said, "Let me tell you what to do. Don't wait another hour, call the police and put him in jail because that's where he belongs, not free to beat up on women or on children."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:53
When facing sin, David pleads for God to respond based on His tender mercy rather than His justice.
By what means is God going to choose to respond to David's sin? He can respond to David's sin according to His justice, or He can respond to David's sin according to the standard of His mercy and the multitude of tender mercies that He has displayed over and over again.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 9:12
Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians contains an elaborate exposition commanding women to cover their heads when praying and in church.
I think most of us are aware that we have that strange teaching in Paul's epistle to the -- his first epistle to the Corinthians in the eleventh chapter where Paul goes through an elaborate exposition there where he commands that women cover their heads, and the assumption is, in one of the translations, I believe it's the RSV, he instructs the women that they ought to have their heads covered when they're praying and when they're in church, and that they ought to cover their heads with a veil.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:09
A person cannot stand against Satan by themselves, and divine intervention (like prayer) is necessary for protection.
Don’t think that you’re going to stand against Satan by yourself. You’re duck soup for Satan. He sifts you like wheat. You’re nothing. You’re putty in his hands, but I have prayed for you.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:30
God foreknew and ordained the speaker's loss, finding, and prayer, determining that prayer would be the means by which God would rescue him and receive glory.
From the foundation of the world, God knew I was going to lose that thing. He ordained that I was going to lose it. And He ordained that I was going to find it. And He ordained that I was going to pray. And He determined from all eternity to work through the secondary cause of my prayer to bring about the primary cause of His rescuing me from this calamity, so that I might give Him the glory.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 5:04
People sometimes ask insincere questions as a tactic to evade answering a penetrating question that makes them uncomfortable.
Ladies and gentlemen, all of us succumb from time to time to asking insincere questions, as a tactic of evasion of avoiding a penetrating question that makes us uncomfortable.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:01
New Christians do not start with a deep reservoir of answers, but they have a solemn responsibility to continually deepen their knowledge and preparation to answer questions about Christ.
When we begin our lives as Christians, we don’t have a reservoir of answers to all of the questions that are out there. But that reservoir is something that needs to be deepened with each day of our lives. Each of us has a solemn responsibility before God to be equipped, to be prepared, and be ready to answer the questions that people bring to us about Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:12
Josephus attempted to persuade the leaders in Jerusalem to surrender, hoping to spare the city and the temple.
And Josephus tried everything he knew how to persuade the leaders in the city to surrender, because he was convinced that there was no way that the garrison there in Jerusalem would be able to withstand the ongoing siege of the Romans.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 12:01
Jesus Christ adapted His communication style depending on the individual or group He was addressing.
With the weak, Jesus is tender. With the professionals, He’s hard as a rock. That was His style because He knew people, and He knew what was appropriate.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
God desires that the godly pray to Him when He can be found.
For this cause, everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time that You may be found.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 12:29
Christians often need God to discipline them because they tend to be stubborn and require divine guidance.
That is how we tend to be, even as Christians: that when we fall into sin, God has to jerk the reins to get our attention because we are as stubborn as the proverbial mule, and we need to be reined in by the strong right hand of God;
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 18:55
Humans cannot demand mercy or grace, although they can plead for them, and they should never ask God for justice.
You can plead for grace, you can beg for mercy, but you can never, ever demand it. Justice may be required, but never, ever mercy. And it's because God is holy that any time He withholds justice, He is giving grace.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:12
Zacharias's prayer when he entered the Holy Place was focused on praying for the nation of Israel, not for his own personal desires for a child.
I am sure that when Zacharias came into the temple and prayed, he wasn’t praying for a child, but he was praying for Israel, for his people who were oppressed under the heavy hand of Rome and of Herod the Tetrarch.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The Apostles were called to devote themselves to prayer and preaching the Word of God, meaning they could not be involved in the daily care of the people.
They could not take care of business, as it were, because to be effective in their calling, they had to devote themselves to prayer and preaching the Word of God.
Source: Apostles and Deacons (Ligonier)
The purpose of prayer is not to inform God of our needs, but rather to open our hearts and pour out our concerns to Him.
The purpose of our prayer is not to go through a grocery list of things we need in order to inform God of our situation. He already knows it. If God already knows our needs and He is inclined to give these things, why bother to ask? The purpose of asking is not for God’s benefit. It is for us.
Source: Asking & Knocking (Ligonier)
Christ's knocking is directed toward the hearts of His own people, inviting them to a deeper personal relationship with Him.
But Jesus does knock on the door of His people’s hearts. He comes to us in the weakness of our faith, in the feebleness of our devotion, and invites us to go into a deeper personal relationship with Him.
Source: Asking & Knocking (Ligonier)
The Christian life is characterized by constant, continuous prayer—a silent dialogue with God—rather than only formal, scheduled prayer.
The Christian life is a life of prayer, but not prayer given only at certain hours or at appointed times. There is a dialogue going on, maybe silently, all the time, as we are conscious of the presence of God, relying on His presence and communicating with the Father in our thoughts.
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Conversion is the process of stopping one's flight from Jesus and following Him completely.
Fame, glory, riches, power—all these things were forsaken because they realized that nothing could compare with this One who just performed that miracle before their eyes. Nothing could compare with this One who was the Pearl of Great Price.
Source: The Catch of Fish (Ligonier)
Moneychangers were necessary because pilgrims needed to exchange local currency for the official coinage required to pay the temple tax.
Moneychangers were set up to exchange local currency for the official currency required for the tax.
Source: Cleansing of the Temple (Ligonier)
Believers should be prepared for persecution, but they will be given the wisdom and courage to bear witness.
Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
Source: The Destruction of Jerusalem (Ligonier)
Believers must always be prepared and ready to meet Christ at any time, regardless of the hour.
The point is that even if it takes all night, it does not matter what time the master returns. Whenever he comes, it is the duty of the servants to be awake, to be dressed, to have the lights on, and to be ready to answer the door as soon as the master knocks.
Source: The Faithful Steward (Ligonier)
Jesus instructed the disciples to organize the people into groups of fifty and then let Him handle the rest of the feeding.
Jesus responded: “If you can’t feed them, at least you can organize them. Organize them in groups of fifty and tell them to sit down, and I’ll make sure they’re fed.”
Source: The Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
Christ serves as the judge, defense attorney, and Great High Priest who intercedes for believers before God.
Not only is our Savior who has been raised from the dead our judge and our defense attorney, but He is our intercessor. He is our Great High Priest who is pleading our case before God every minute.
Source: God's Everlasting Love (Ligonier)
Our only hope before a holy God is to ask for mercy, rather than expecting judgment based on justice.
Context: Quoting David's understanding of God's judgment.
That’s why I throw myself on the mercy of the court. That’s why I ask for you to deal with me not according to Your justice but according to Your tender mercy. That’s my only hope.
Source: God's Judgment Defended (Ligonier)
The man in the crowd asked Jesus for a specific, compassionate gaze—one of mercy and healing—rather than a look of judgment.
He asked Jesus to look at his son, not with the look of judgment or scorn, but with the gaze of mercy and healing: “Please look on my son. He’s my only child.”
Source: The Greatest (Ligonier)
When a person is lost, Christ must actively come to them; it is not something that can be initiated by the sinner.
God never invites sinners to repent. It is a command. It is an imperative. If you are lost, if you do not want to stay lost, it is necessary for Jesus to come to you.
Source: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Ligonier)
When God answers prayer, even if the answer is 'no,' it is still a good answer because it comes from the Lord God omnipotent.
Sometimes the answer is “no,” but that’s an answer. If the answer comes from the Lord God omnipotent, who is more compassionate than any of us could possibly be, then it is a good answer.
Source: Healing of the Leper (Ligonier)
No one can seek God until God has first sought them.
I knew then that I did not come to Christ because I was seeking Him; I came to Christ because He sought me.
Source: The Indictment of the Jews and Gentiles (Ligonier)
The call to seek the Lord is directed to believers who are already in the kingdom, not to those in unbelief.
However, when Jesus said, “Knock and it shall be opened unto you, seek the Lord while He may be found, seek and you will find—I stand at the door,” He was saying those things to the church. He was talking to believers.
Source: The Indictment of the Jews and Gentiles (Ligonier)
God has chosen the foolishness of preaching as the means by which He will gather His elect.
God has chosen chiefly the foolishness of preaching as the means by which He will gather His elect to Himself.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
When struggling with the writings of a genius like the Apostle Paul, one should ask what problem he is attempting to solve or what question he is trying to answer.
we should ask the question, What problem is he trying to solve? What question is he trying to answer?
Source: Israel's Rejection & God's Justice (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The Olivet Discourse is the name given to the discussion Jesus had with his disciples, which is recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.
It is recorded in all three of the Synoptic Gospels. We read Matthew’s account of it in Matthew 24, Mark’s more brief account of it Mark 13, and Luke’s account in Luke 21.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Human prayers cannot change God's mind or provide Him with new knowledge or wisdom.
No human prayer has ever added a subatomic particle of knowledge to the mind of an infinite God. But consider something even worse: We think that we will change God’s mind because God’s intentions are somehow foolish—or, even worse, evil—until we give Him the benefit of our counsel.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 3) (Ligonier)
The primary effect of prayer is that God gains affection and reverence from the petitioner.
What happens is that God gains more affection and reverence from me as I bow before Him in prayer.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Jesus prayed specifically for the elect and the church, not for the world.
I pray for the ones that You have given to Me. I thank You that not one of those whom You have given to Me has been lost, save the son of perdition, who was the son of perdition from the beginning”—referring to Judas—“but none of the elect whom You have given to Me have been lost. Keep them. Preserve them. I pray for them. I pray for My church. I do not pray for the world. I pray for My sheep, Father, that You would reserve them until that day.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Total (Ligonier)
The woman approached Jesus with extreme caution and humility, ensuring her actions would not inconvenience him or cost him any power.
I didn’t want to interrupt You; I didn’t want it to cost You anything; I didn’t want You to have power leave You; I just wanted to touch the hem of Your garment, that’s all.
Source: Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
Paul requested that the Roman Christians pray for him so that his service in Jerusalem would be acceptable to the saints.
Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Jesus often used the technique of answering a question with a question during debates to confuse his opposition.
It was not simply an act of evasion that any time Jesus was in these kinds of debates He would use the technique of answering a question with a question, confounding the opposition and leaving them in ruins.
Source: Jesus’ Authority & the Parable of the Tenants (Ligonier)
Jesus offered the longest recorded prayer of intercession for his disciples and for humanity in what is called His High Priestly Prayer.
It was also a night of intense prayer. Jesus offered the longest recorded prayer of intercession for His disciples and for us in what is called His High Priestly Prayer.
Source: Jesus at Gethsemane (Ligonier)
Believers are instructed to resist the devil, which will cause him to flee.
He is an adversary to be warned of, but Scripture also depicts this roaring lion fleeing with his tail between his legs. For God says, “Resist him, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Source: Jesus Meets a Demon (Ligonier)
Jesus instructed his disciples to flee to the hills or mountains when the enemy came.
Jesus told His disciples, “When the enemy comes, flee to the hills, to the mountains.”
Source: The Kingdom Come (Ligonier)
Christians should not judge one another, but rather resolve to avoid causing stumbling blocks or causes for others to fall.
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
Source: The Law of Liberty (Ligonier)
Reverence for God is necessary for receiving His mercy and is the beginning of wisdom and faith.
We have this awe, this fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom, the beginning of faith, the beginning of everything, and without it, there is no mercy.
Source: The Magnificat (Part 1) (Ligonier)
There is no such thing as an unanswered prayer, because God's 'No' is just as much an answer as His 'Yes'.
There’s no such thing as an unanswered prayer. God’s “No” is just as much as answer as God’s “Yes,” and it is the same God saying yes or no when we plead our case with Him—it is the same One who is holy, the same One who is merciful, the same One who does all things well.
Source: The Magnificat (Part 2) (Ligonier)
While physical suffering is valid for prayer, Christians must prioritize the outreach of the gospel, the truth of God, and the mission of the church.
One of the main points of that program is to teach us to not only be concerned with our physical maladies that beset us but to put as our chief consideration in our prayers the outreach of the gospel, the ministry of the truth of God, the mission of the church, and the ministry of the people of God.
Source: The Calling of the Disciples (Ligonier)
The Holy Spirit is necessary to intervene in people's lives and overcome the hardness of their hearts.
It may be difficult, but this is where the Holy Spirit intervenes in the lives of people and cuts through the hardness of our hearts.
Source: The Eye of the Needle (Ligonier)
God's plan, as demonstrated by the temple's design, included a place for non-Jewish people to gather.
In the design of the temple, there was a place for non-Jews to congregate. It was on the outer edges, to be sure, but it was still included in the church of God.
Source: The Fig Tree and the Temple (Ligonier)
The Holy Spirit is necessary to open Christians to God's Word and cleanse their hearts from sin.
Before the Holy Spirit opens us to the things of God, we are as deaf to the Word of God as this poor man was deaf to all verbal communication. Until the Holy Spirit cleanses our hearts and regenerates our soul, what we have in our mouths is mere filth, the poison of asps is under our lips, and our tongue utters blasphemy and poison until it is made free from the chains of sin.
Source: The Healing of the Deaf Mute (Ligonier)
Facing spiritual challenges requires more than just relying on existing faith; one must actively pray and utilize all means of grace.
When we face a formidable foe, it’s not enough simply to depend on the reservoir of faith that we have in our souls. We have to get on our knees. We have to plead with God. We have to make use of all the means of grace that He has given His people
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
The church should focus on kingdom-centered prayer.
We need to discover what Jeff Cooper and Archie Parish have been teaching us—the power of kingdom-focused prayer.
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
One should never stop appealing to God, because it is never too much trouble to Him to hear cries and wipe away tears.
There is no time when you stop troubling the Lord, because it is never any trouble to Him to hear your cries and to wipe away your tears.
Source: Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
Biblical texts regarding prayer, such as 'name it and claim it,' must be understood within the context of all other teachings on prayer and God's will.
If we lift this verse out of context and ignore the rest of the teaching of the New Testament, we start getting into the magical business of “name it and claim it.”
Source: Jesus’ Authority (Ligonier)
Jesus frequently prayed in private, often at night and in solitude, even when ministering to large crowds.
All three occasions take place at night and in a place of solitude, where Jesus got to be alone with His Father.
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
Jesus prioritized going to new towns to preach rather than remaining in a location where a large, pressing crowd was gathering.
No, in fact, Jesus was saddened by the news, and He said, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
Jesus' pattern of praying involves withdrawing to a solitary place when a major crisis or aspect of His mission is pressing upon Him.
What I find noteworthy about those occasions is that every time the Bible talks about Jesus praying, He is alone, withdrawn into a solitary place, away from the crowds and disciples.
Source: Jesus Walking on Water (Ligonier)
A Christian's prayer should ask God for forgiveness and a receptive heart.
My prayer as a Christian is: “O God, don’t be angry with me. Don’t let me give You cause to be furious with me. Don’t let me grieve You because my heart is hardened.”
Source: Lord of the Sabbath (Ligonier)
When believers are arrested and asked to speak, they should speak whatever is given to them, because the Holy Spirit is the one speaking through them.
But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Source: The Olivet Discourse (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Bartimaeus demonstrated unwavering faith by repeatedly calling out to Jesus for mercy despite being warned by the crowd to be quiet.
The crowd told him to stop. They warned him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more. Listen to what he said: “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Source: Son of Man, A Servant (Ligonier)
Jesus stopped his journey toward Jerusalem because of the cry of the beggar who recognized him as the Son of David.
But at this point, Jesus stopped in His tracks. What made Him stop was the plaintive cry of a beggar who recognized Him as the Son of David. He heard a man call, “Son of David, have mercy upon me!”
Source: Son of Man, A Servant (Ligonier)
The speaker encourages the congregation to pray for understanding of difficult portions of the text.
We pray that we might hear the full import of what He said so many centuries ago to those who heard Him that day. Give us understanding of the difficult portions of this text.
Source: The Unpardonable Sin (Ligonier)
When Jesus sat down and called his disciples, it signaled that he was about to teach them something important.
When Jesus sat down and called His disciples to Himself, it was the signal that He was about to teach them something important.
Source: Who Is the Greatest? (Ligonier)
Believers should pray to the Mediator (Christ) and not to Mary.
The problem is that we’re not told to pray to Mary; we’re told to pray to the One who is the Mediator. We have our Great High Priest. We don’t have a great high priestess. We have our Great High Priest who intercedes for us.
Source: Mary's Fiat (Ligonier)
Jesus questioned the people who came to see John, asking them what they were truly looking for.
Jesus said, “All of you who went there to see John, what were you looking for? What did you go out there to see? Did you go out there to see a reed shaken by the wind?”
Source: Message from John the Baptist (Part 1) (Ligonier)
God must enable people to come to Christ because they cannot come without divine intervention.
Jesus had said in John’s gospel, “No man can come to Me unless it is given to him.” God must enable you to come to Christ because you cannot come to Christ without divine intervention.
Source: The Narrow Way (Ligonier)
Believers cannot stand alone and require the support, encouragement, and prayers of the community.
Beloved, we cannot stand alone. We need each other. We need the support of fellowship, the mutual encouragement, the strength, and the prayers of the community in which we are involved.
Source: A New Apostle (Ligonier)
The early church gathered together for prayer, reflecting the principle that God's house should be a house of prayer.
Luke says that they “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” They gathered together for prayer.
Source: A New Apostle (Ligonier)
The authorities met in private to determine how to stop the spread of the Apostles' message and miracle.
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves. They went into executive session. They said, “What do we do with these men?”
Source: Obeying God or Man? (Ligonier)
To achieve a significant result, one must be prepared to make a disproportionately large initial investment of effort or resources.
She used to give us advice: “If you want to plant a ten-dollar tree, you have to dig a hundred-dollar hole.”
Source: The Parable of the Barren Fig (Ligonier)
A lit lamp must be placed on a stand to maximize its light and prevent it from being extinguished.
If someone wanted any usefulness from it, he would put it on a stand where it would be elevated, where the maximum amount of light would go into the darkness of the room.
Source: The Parable of the Revealed Light (Ligonier)
Jesus instructed the disciples to wait in Jerusalem because the Holy Spirit's power would come soon.
His last instruction to the disciples was what? “Go back to Jerusalem and wait. Wait, for you shall receive power, and the Holy Spirit will come upon you.”
Source: Pentecost (Ligonier)
God is not deaf and hears every prayer that is offered to Him.
I can say with absolute certainty that God Almighty hears every prayer you pray. You do not have to speak it any louder in order to get His attention. He hears our prayers.
Source: Peter in Prison (Ligonier)
When God does not answer prayers as requested, the answer is still considered an answer.
Sometimes, however, the answer is “no.” We tend to insult God’s intelligence when He does not answer our prayers the way we ask Him to and we do not consider it an answer.
Source: Peter in Prison (Ligonier)
God's ultimate plan and providence determine the outcome of prayers, even when the result is contrary to human expectation.
But in God’s providence, He was pleased to allow James to be martyred. The answer He gave to the people’s prayers for James was the exact opposite of the answer that He gave to the people praying for Peter.
Source: Peter in Prison (Ligonier)
God does not invite people to come to Christ; rather, He commands it, requiring submission because He has placed Christ at His right hand.
God does not invite people to come to Christ, He commands it. God requires it because He has put Christ at His right hand.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 3 (Ligonier)
Believers are instructed to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and avoid giving in to the flesh's desires.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Source: Put on Christ (Ligonier)
Jesus often responded to complex questions by posing a question back to the questioner.
He again returned a question with a question. He said, “Does anybody here have a Denarius?” A Denarius was a coin the value of basically one day’s labor for a working person in Israel. Somebody there had a Denarius and brought it before Jesus, and Jesus said to that person: “Whose image is on that coin? Whose likeness is found on the Denarius?”
Source: Render Unto Caesar (Ligonier)
The Sadducees approached Jesus with the motive of trying to trap and catch Him in a heresy that would make Him unpopular.
It was not that larger group made up of priests and scribes and Pharisees, but specifically it was the group known as the Sadducees who came to present Jesus a question with the same motive they all had: to try to trap and catch Him in some kind of heresy that would make Him unpopular either with the government or the populace.
Source: The Resurrection & David's Son (Ligonier)
The passage describing Jesus' prayer is Trinitarian, referencing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
you will see that it is Trinitarian through and through. It has reference to the Father, to the incarnate Son, and to the Holy Spirit by whom Jesus was moved to a profound sense of joy on this occasion.
Source: The Return of the Seventy-Two (Ligonier)
Believers should avoid provoking God's judgment or withdrawing from His grace.
So, I plead with you today, do not ever expose yourself to the point where the Lord God Almighty will shake your dust from His feet.
Source: The Sending of the Twelve (Ligonier)
It is crucial to recognize the profound importance of the priorities Jesus established when teaching how to pray.
It is easy to miss the profound importance of the priorities Jesus gives when teaching us how we should pray.
Source: A Simple Way to Pray (Ligonier)
To benefit from Luther's guide on prayer, one must first commit to memorizing three specific portions of Scripture.
To profit from Luther’s book, as Luther indicated to his barber, first we must take the time and discipline to memorize three portions of Scripture. We need to memorize the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer.
Source: A Simple Way to Pray (Ligonier)
Jesus provided the Lord's Prayer as a model or example of how one should pray, not as a mandate for rote recitation.
When Jesus gave this model prayer, He did not say to His disciples, “When you pray, pray this.” He was not giving us a mandate simply to recite this prayer repeatedly, as is our custom. There is nothing wrong with that, of course, but Jesus was saying: “When you pray, pray like this. This is the model I’m giving you. This is the example to show you how you should pray.”
Source: A Simple Way to Pray (Ligonier)
The first and most important petition taught by Jesus in the Lord's Prayer is that God's name should be regarded with sacredness and reverence by all creatures.
The first petition of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus gave to His disciples, the number one priority that Jesus gave for us to pray is this: “Oh God, may Your name be regarded as sacred and holy, treated not only with respect but with reverence and adoration by every creature in heaven and on earth.
Source: A Simple Way to Pray (Ligonier)
To learn how to pray, one should immerse themselves in the Psalms of the Old Testament because they contain spirit-inspired prayer.
If you really want to learn how to pray, immerse yourself in the Psalms of the Old Testament, because there you have spirit-inspired prayer.
Source: A Simple Way to Pray (Ligonier)
The speaker prays for the listeners to be given the faith to look to God and Him alone.
Give us the faith to look to Him and Him alone.
Source: Song of Simeon (Ligonier)
Stephen prayed to God for two things: that Jesus receive his spirit, and that God would not charge the executioners with his sin.
He called on God and asked for two things. Just like his Savior before him, he said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” just as Jesus had said to the Father, “Into Your hands I commend My spirit.” The second thing Stephen asked was also just as his Lord had before him: “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”
Source: Stephen on Trial (Ligonier)
The Lord instructed Ananias to go to a specific location to find Saul of Tarsus.
Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
Source: The Street Called Straight (Ligonier)
Humans often resist God's will and presume to suggest a better plan, even in their prayers.
We argue with God. We debate with God. We resist the teaching of His Word, day and night, and think we have a better plan.
Source: The Street Called Straight (Ligonier)
Improving tools is the best way to increase productivity and capacity for performance.
one of the fundamental principles of economics is that if you want to increase productivity, the best way to do it is to improve your tools.
Source: The Street Called Straight (Ligonier)
The Holy Spirit assists believers in their weaknesses by interceding for them with groans that cannot be articulated.
Likewise,” Paul says, “the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Prayer is a Trinitarian activity that involves praying to the Father through the Son, and the Holy Spirit assists the believer in this process.
We know enough to say when we pray that we pray in the name of Jesus, because we know one of the most important roles that Jesus exercises even now is that He is our High Priest in heaven and makes intercession for us every day. When we pray, we pray to the Father through the Son, and we implore our intercessor to intercede for us:
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Believers should ask the Holy Spirit for assistance in prayer because the Spirit helps them to pray according to God's will rather than their own desires.
So, when you pray, remember to ask the Holy Spirit to assist you in your prayers, because so many times we do not pray as we ought. If you really want to see answers to prayer that will put strength in your soul, pray according to the leading of the Holy Ghost, because the Holy Spirit helps us to pray according to the will of God rather than the will of our flesh.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
God's plan involves a sequence of actions: foreknowing, predestining, calling, justifying, and glorifying.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The prayer 'deliver us from evil' is a request for protection from Satan, not from general evil.
So, Jesus is saying, “Pray that you are not put to the test, that you may be protected from the hands of Satan.”
Source: The Temptation of Jesus (Ligonier)
Jesus' prayer advises protection from Satan's influence, implying that testing is a danger from him.
So, Jesus is saying, “Pray that you are not put to the test, that you may be protected from the hands of Satan.”
Source: The Temptation of Jesus (Ligonier)
Jesus taught that people should always pray and not lose heart.
He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart
Source: The Unjust Judge (Ligonier)
The primary theological focus of the parable being discussed is the importance of persistent prayer.
The focus of this parable is persistent prayer.
Source: The Unjust Judge (Ligonier)
Paul's letter to the Romans lists severe offenses against God, noting that people not only commit these sins but also encourage others to do them.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he gave a list of the most egregious offenses against God at the end of the first chapter. He said that people, knowing God hates these things and will condemn those who do them, not only do them but encourage others to do them as well.
Source: Unprofitable Servants (Ligonier)
Jesus' statement to his mother, 'What does your concern have to do with Me?' means, 'Don’t tell Me what to do in My earthly ministry.'
Jesus is saying to His mother, “Don’t tell Me what to do in My earthly ministry.”
Source: The Wedding Feast (Ligonier)
Theologians must be active in communicating their faith to the general populace, rather than remaining isolated in academic settings.
But they understood that if you’re going to have reformation you have to take your case to the people. And that’s what I meant by being a battlefield theologian rather than an ivory tower theologian—that you’ve got to make your case before the people and communicate to the people.
Humans do not change God's mind, and prayer is commanded by God and serves to establish communion with Him.
You and I both know that we are not God’s guidance counselors. We don’t change His mind. If we don’t change His mind, why pray? First of all, we pray because He commands us to pray. Second of all, through the instrument of prayer, we enter into communion and dialogue with our heavenly Father.
Source: Can our prayers change God‘s will? If not, why pray? (Ligonier Q&A)
God's plan involves waiting for humans to ask for things so that they can work with Him in bringing His will to pass.
And there are times in which God waits for us to ask for things because His plan is that we work with Him in the glorious process of bringing His will to pass here on earth.
The only way a person can stand before a just and holy God is if someone else pays the debt, and only the Son of God has the right to do this.
The only way I can stand before a just and holy God is if somebody else pays the debt. And the only one who has earned the right to pay somebody else’s debt is the Son of God.
Source: What is the difference between sin, transgression, and iniquity? (Ligonier Q&A)