Can your singing actually be prayer to God? In this teaching, Alex Rettman explores three powerful truths about worship: it changes us as we behold God's glory, it moves God's heart when we offer costly praise, and it shifts circumstances as we lay a target for His kingdom to come. He shows us how worship isn't just about singing songs: it's about expressing our delight in God in ways that complete our joy and partner with Him in pushing back darkness.

Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 33v18-23; John 1v18; 2 Corinthians 3v16-18; Psalm 22v3; Isaiah 42v10-13

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Matthew from Lexington, South Carolina; Mitchell from Lubbock, Texas; Courtney from Edmond, Oklahoma; Robert from Leander, Texas; and Mitch from Fort Collins, Colorado. Thank you all so much!

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Why do so many of our prayers seem to go unanswered? John Mark tackles one of the most difficult tensions in the Christian life: how to square Jesus's bold promise of "ask anything in my name and I will do it" with the reality of unanswered prayer. He explores fifteen reasons our prayers might not be answered the way we expect and closes by introducing the ancient practice of lament as a way to meet God honestly in our pain.

Key Scripture Passages: John 14v12-14; John 15v7, 16; John 16v23-24; Psalm 13; Psalm 66v18; Isaiah 58

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Matthew from Fullerton, California; Kree from Bismarck, North Dakota; Lee from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire; Benjamin from Conroe, Texas; and Amy from Wilton, New York. Thank you all so much!

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Why should we pray? John Mark covers Jesus' teaching and parable on prayer in Luke 11 to show us that prayer is a way to collaborate with God to create good in the world, challenging us to believe Jesus and continually petition our Father with shameless audacity.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 11v1-13; Genesis 1v26-28; Genesis 2v15-17; Genesis 3v6-7; Exodus 32v1-10

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Drew from Georgetown, Texas; Tasha from New York, New York; Anthony from Benson, North Carolina; Nancy from LakeBarrington, Illinois; and Ginger from Dallas, Texas. Thank you all so much!



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What does it mean to pray without ceasing? Father Rick Ganz explores contemplative prayer drawing from John 15 and the image of the vine and branches. He introduces the ancient Jesuit practice of the Examen and offers a beautiful vision of prayer as enjoying God's presence in all of the moments of our lives.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 18v40-43; John 15v1-9

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Sid from Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Josh from Oxford, Oxfordshire; Margaret from Woodland Hills, California; Ashley from Dallas, Texas; and Erin from Centralia, Washington. Thank you all so much!

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How should we pray? John Mark digs into the Lord's Prayer, and what it shows us about Jesus's posture toward prayer, challenging us to engage in prayer from a place of delight rather than rote discipline.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 5v15-16; Luke 6v12; Luke 9v18, 28-34; Luke 11v1-4

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Joel from Olalla, Washington; Danny from Tucson, Arizona; Greg from Lynn Haven, Florida; Jake from Yakima, Washington; and Randy from Dallas, Texas. Thank you all so much!



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What does it look like to keep growing in our faith? John Mark unpacks the three essential shifts in our journey of discipleship—moving from fear to trust, despair to hope, and self-focus to love. He explains how the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love aren't just feelings but settled conditions of the heart that develop over a lifetime of following Jesus.

Key Scripture Passages: 1 John 4v18; 1 Corinthians 13v13

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jordan from Liberty, South Carolina; Heather from Huntsville, Texas; Lifepoint Church from Palm Bay, Florida; Matthew from Plymouth, Michigan; and Paul from San Mateo, California. Thank you all so much!

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What does it look like to stay faithful to Jesus through every season of life? John Mark unpacks the concept of the "first and second halves of life"—a simple but profound framework for understanding the different stages of spiritual maturity. He explores the unique temptations and invitations of each season, showing us how transformation isn't about climbing higher but about surrendering deeper.

Key Scripture Passages: John 21v18; Genesis 2v24; Matthew 7v21-23; 1 Corinthians 3v1-3; Hebrews 5v12-14

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Shanon from Lynchburg, Virginia; Georgia from Clermont, Florida; Laura from Portland, Oregon; Kim from Battle Creek, Michigan; and Roger from Irvine, California. Thank you all so much!



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This is an episode from the Practicing the Way podcast. To dig deeper into the ideas from today's teaching, you can find more by searching for "Practicing the Way" wherever you get your podcasts.

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How do we change our deepest sin patterns? John Mark explores the four layers of sin we must navigate on the spiritual journey—from major sins to unconscious patterns to our deepest attachments. He shows us why true transformation requires moving past behavior modification into the painful but liberating work of surrendering everything we cling to for happiness and peace.

Key Scripture Passages: Galatians 5v19-21; 1 John 5v16-17; James 1v4

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: James from San Diego, California; Tyler from Rockvale, Tennessee; Kate from Landrum, South Carolina; Jaime from Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and Jessica from Richardson, Texas. Thank you all so much!

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What is God like? John Mark dives into Matthew 11v25-30, exploring what it means that Jesus is "gentle and humble of heart" and showing why grasping this truth is essential for finding true rest for our souls in a culture of burnout and exhaustion.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 11v25-30; Ephesians 4v2; Colossians 3v12; 1 Peter 3v4; Philippians 2v5-8

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Annemarie from Norwood, South Australia; Seth from Cincinnati, Ohio; Esther from Waynesville, Missouri; Tom from Brunswick, Maine; and Jay from Richmond, Texas. Thank you all so much!

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How do we love well? Bethany Allen explores the final theme of Advent: love. She shows us that receiving love requires surrender, vulnerability, and trust, and challenges us to intentionally receive God's love as an active, life-changing invitation to become the people we were always meant to be.

Key Scripture Passages: Micah 5v2-5a; 1 John 4v10

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: James from Stafford, Virginia; Barb from Bluffton, South Carolina; Brandon from Havre, Montana; Jared from Huger, South Carolina; and Nicole from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Thank you all very much!

If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.