Tag Archives: prayer

No Easy Answers

Posted on August 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As our faith is stretched, as our character is developed, as we search for deeper answers, and as we just stand in awe of the God whose mind and purposes are beyond our understanding we come to know Him in a deeper way. As we learn to trust him even when the answers don’t come and when we don’t sense his presence, we learn the fellowship of sharing in Christ’s sufferings. These are lessons of trust we could learn no other way. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faith, God, God's wisdom, Hope, life's big questions, life's mysteries, no easy answers, prayer, problem of suffering, standard cliches, Sunday School answers, trusting God in the dark, why me | Leave a comment

Building Up or Tearing Down

Posted on August 13, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Tearing down is simple. Building up is an art. Anyone can criticize; it takes no great skill to see the problems. It takes a real leader not to be distracted by the words that tear down; to keep to the task despite criticism. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bible, Building Up, dealing with criticism, dealing with critics, encouragement, faith, focus, God, Leaders are undeterred by criticism, leaders deal with criticism, leadership, Nehemiah, prayer, tearing down, Tobiah and Sanballat | Leave a comment

Bending God’s Ear

Posted on August 12, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Awestruck by his greatness, amazed by his abounding love toward him, David always knew where to turn. No matter how difficult the circumstances or the opposition, he knew his God was greater; he knew his God loved him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abounding love, Bending God's Ear, Greatness of God, intercession, praise the Lord, prayer, undivided heart | Leave a comment

Constructive Prayer

Posted on August 11, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Like Nehemiah, lay the foundation of prayer and look for the opportunity to act. This is the way to glorify God and to accomplish great things for him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged construction, laying the foundation in prayer, people of action, people of prayer, prayer | Leave a comment

Plastic Prayers Make Plastic Churchgoers

Posted on August 4, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Open up your heart to God, just like David did. Get it all “out on the table,” then allow God to deal with the questions, the fears, the pain, the problems, the doubts. He patiently waits on us to clean out the closets of our heart. He delights in meeting with us when we do. Honesty is the road to transformation. We trade in our plastic religiosity to become authentic Christ followers. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged authentic christ followers, bible, faith, God, honest praying, honesty, hypocrisy, Jesus, lament, plastic christians, plastic churchgoers, prayer, praying, Psalms | Leave a comment

The Mountaintop

Posted on August 2, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Repentance, prayer and obedience brought blessing. They always do. They also help to keep us from slipping. Look to God for the fullness of his blessing (Romans 15:29) and for the humility to enjoy each and every blessing and any success he brings. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, Good kings aren't perfect, Hezekiah, humility, mountain top experiences, obedience, prayer, pride leads to a fall, repetance, slide to the bottom, success breeds pride | Leave a comment

The Agony and the Ecstasy

Posted on July 26, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

To the one who has wrestled in prayer—to the intercessor who knows the agony of spiritual battle on behalf of others—God also gives great joy as they see the fruit of those prayers. “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy” (Philippians 1:4). There is great joy when we have prevailed in prayer and see the answer. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged agony and ecstasy, difficulties of being a prayer warrior, intercession, Paul's prayers, perseverance in prayer, prayer, prayer burdens, prayer life of paul | Leave a comment

Revival: Do We Really Want It?

Posted on July 23, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Revival waits for the church, and more importantly, you and me to pay the price. What is the price? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged house of prayer, if my people, intercession, joy in the house, prayer, revival, revive us again, the cost of revival | Leave a comment

Open Up Your Heart

Posted on July 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Jesus is waiting at your heart’s door. He is knocking today. He wants to enjoy fellowship with you. Open up your heart to him and enjoy his presence. He wants to be your friend. Open up your heart. Open it wide. Don’t hold anything back. Enjoy your time with him today. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Hallesby, I stand at the door and knock, invitation to prayer, Jesus enters our heart to fellowship, open the door, Open your heart, prayer, prayer as fellowship with Jesus | Leave a comment

Psalms, Worship and Prayer

Posted on July 6, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

One of the reasons I love to read the Psalms before I pray, is that they prime the pump of worship. They help us to focus on the goodness and greatness of God. As we are awestruck by his glory, we are ready to praise and worship. With wide-eyed wonder we are then ready to pray. Worship and praise affects my praying in every way—it provides right perspective, it prompts faith, it helps us focus and refocus our requests. As we worship, we realize the joy of his presence and we are changed. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged compassionate, faithful, gracious, pour out our hearts to God in brutal honesty, Praise, prayer, Psalms, psalms as a prayer book, psalms prime the pump of worship, trustworthy, Worship | Leave a comment