Epaphras Prays Podcast

When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly —Matthew 6:6 Jesus did not say, “Dream about your Father who is in the secret place,” but He said, “. . . pray to your Father who is in the secret place. . . .” Prayer is an effort of the will. Who’s will? Our will. Get full a...

for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. Isaiah 56:7 God’s church is called “a house of prayer”, which ought to show us the significance of praying as a church. And as [Jesus] taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? (Mark 11:17) So then the Word of God—the Bible, could rightly be called the Book of Prayers. This i...

At that day ye shall ask in My name - John 16:26 To intercede is to pray on behalf of another. We act as a go-between, or an advocate for someone. Here are two examples from Mark: In chapter seven, we see the Savior in the region of Decapolis (v. 31). In the next verse, they brought Him [one who was deaf] and they implored Him to lay His hand on him. In chapter eight, Jesus is in Bethsaida. In ver...

Hello, thanks for opening this newsletter. Today’s article is from Johnathan Edwards (1703-1758) a prominent Puritan theologian and pastor in the United States, known for his significant contributions to American philosophy and religion. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; [It shall] yet [come to pass], that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one [city] s...

Do you struggle in praying? You’re not the only one, I have also, and if we’re honest, we all do somehow. Asking for things comes naturally to us—from people, anyway. But asking from God, our King and Father, usually doesn’t. Even a legendary Christian storyteller did. We are told by Dr. Art Lindsley, writing in C.S. Lewis on Prayer , that prayer was an important part of Lewis’s life, but that he...

I have a way to pray to the Lord. It’s not the only way, but it’s a pretty good way. If you don’t have a way, this will get you started and help you stay focused. As my old pastor used to say, my plan is better than one you don’t have . Today I introduce to you a way that will take you through 10 prayer prompts in about 10 minutes. I picked that many because of fingers. After using a sticky note w...

This edition of the Epaphras Prays PrayerCast includes * a 2nd Century Prayer of the Early Church, from Polycarp * a prayer of David in Psalm 28 * an instruction of Jesus from Matthew 26 * an intercession from Paul in 1 Thessalonians * and from Romans 13 We also ask our Lord and God for more people to pray more, plus * a Puritan Prayer for Grace in Trials * a prayer for our land * a shield of fait...

Prayer Insights from George Whitfield (1714-1770 ) In his urgent prayer for revival, Whitfield begged the Lord to raise up another generation of pastors and evangelists who would share his burden for God's glory and the souls of men. In his prayer, Whitfield envisions the emergence of dedicated men chosen by the Head of the Church to serve in a significant role: * These men will be deeply knowledg...

For years I have traveled and spent time in small prayer groups. I am constantly amazed—but not surprised anymore, by the prayers of the elderly. In every groups there seems to be at least one person who doesn’t pray like anyone else in the room. Listening to them plead with the Lord, you hear their heart, their humility, their intimacy, their dependency. You can tell they have spent hours, years,...

I intreated thy favour with  my  whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. - Psalm 119:58 KJV The psalmist here is asking the Lord to show kindness and favor, according to the Lord’s own words. I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. - Psalm 119:58 BSB Your promise , or Thy word Both refer to an utterance, something spoken by Almighty G...

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly - Acts 6:7 But the word of God grew and multiplied. - Acts 12:24 S o the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.- Acts 19:20 In the early days of Christianity—wherever the gospel was preached, multitudes heard it and embraced it. New converts were added to the church by it. The Word prevailed over lies, sin, bond...

The key to persevering prayer is to keep praying. Persistence in petitions pleases the Lord. I recently shared this on social media, and someone commented that Jesus said not to use vain repetitions, referring to Matthew 6. This is true. In Matthew 6:7, Jesus told His disciples do not babble like pagans who use many words, thinking they will be heard. So what does Jesus mean by this babbling on, v...

This Edition of the PrayerCast prays a transcribed prayer of C.H. Spurgeon in the volume of Pulpit Prayers. The key points in Spurgeon's prayer include: * Confession of sin and seeking forgiveness. * A plea for the conversion of the unconverted. * A desire for personal sanctification and growth in Christ-likeness. * A request for God's guidance and blessings over leaders and nations. * A prayer fo...

In the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, we see a great example of what James says in the New Testament: the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. When Nehemiah heard bad news, he prayed and fasted. This shows us that in tough times, we should turn to God, pray, and ask for help. Briefly, here is what Nehemiah did and how the people responded together: * He prayed for his people wh...

Sometime back, I stopped always asking God for only what I want and started asking Him for what He wants. I don’t recall just when that was, and often I slip up in praying that way, so I made a list of things I found in Scripture. I refer to them whenever it seems like my prayers focus more on me than on Him. Maybe you’ll find it helpful, too. Next to the Psalms, Ephesians has to be my favorite “p...

We are praying this time for our minds, that we would think on Jesus, be renewed and transformed, have the mind of Christ and on things above. We are praying for all God’s children, those born again, who are the Bride of Christ, be prepared for Him. Join us as we pray from these verses [Luke 24:45] [1 Corinthians 2:16] [Romans 12:2] [Ephesians 4:23] [2 Corinthians 10:5] [Romans 8:6-7] [Colossians...

Our Savior knows we worry and fret constantly about many things. That’s why He tells us not to worry about what we will eat, or wear—for our heavenly Father knows we need all these things. See how He supplies the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. (see Matthew 6:25f) Still, even though Jesus tells us take no thought for your life, meaning - avoid worry, care and anxiety in the wants and...

This post was previously released in 2022, and we’ve updated it for today after being inspired by a recent post by Paul Christopher because we’ve been reminded that our pastors, who rarely ask for prayer, desperately need us praying for them. We hope this encourages you. We must pray for our Pastors As the Apostle Paul asked for prayers from the church, and we are those who should do the praying....

Intercessions are our prayers on behalf of others needs. There are many examples of this in Scripture, and we are instructed to do the same: to pray for the needs of others—like those in office, in authority, in government positions. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that w...

Fire shall be kept burning continually on the altar; it shall not go out.  — Leviticus 6:13 LSB We are to keep the altar of  private prayer  burning. This is the very life of all holiness. Says Spurgeon, the sanctuary and family altars borrow their fires here, therefore let this burn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence, and barometer, of vital and [experiential] religion. Let your...

Personal prayer seems to be the most neglected of all Christian duties, which is unfortunate because private prayer is the true measure of a Christian’s walk before God and ‘the pith and marrow of practical Christianity’. Personal prayer, or devotional praying—leads to the new birth, strengthens faith, moves mountains, and promotes spiritual growth and contentment that rises above circumstances. T...

Take Up Your Tool Someone asked: What does it mean that prayer is a tool? Perhaps that since God is building His church, and we are His laborers, prayer is our primary means of doing the work. If a tool is a devise we use to accomplish a task, maybe prayer is how that task is accomplished for the Kingdom of God. Since we are inadequate to the tasks, and need the empowering of the Spirit, then it’s...

Welcome to the PrayerCast for May Our Prayer Themes This time we touch on: * Getting more of God—The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ASK, He gives the good gift, when we ask Him for more. * Guarding our speech—help us watch over our words, and guard our heart from speaking words that cause us to stumble, but speak to edify. * Standing Firm in Faith—trusting, believing Your truth; to rema...

Today is the National Day of Prayer , now designated as the first Thursday in May each year. Long before, came the presidential proclamation, which we reaffirm here today. You can read Proclamation 97—Appointing a Day of National Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer By the President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln attached here: A couple of highlights, Lincoln writes: And whereas it i...

Thank you for reading Epaphras Prays. We are a small group writing about prayer and actually in prayer. We are supported by Subscribers, not advertisers. Please consider a subscription for free. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. --George Offor, Editor (from the Introduction of the book) NOTE: This article...