Malcolm Cox

Coming into the presence of God without inappropriate fear.

Would you like to pray with confidence? God wants us near him - otherwise why send Jesus? Yet, even so, why is it we lack confidence in approaching him? Or, when in the act of praying, suffer from debilitating doubt?

Today we'll look at Hebrews 10.19-22 and discover three tips to help us pray with confidence.

#Prayer, #coach.me, #Hebrews, #Confidence #SpiritualDisciplines, #QuietTimeCoaching,

This Sunday our pre-service devotional for the speakers, singers and instrumentalists involved in the service was focused on Psalm 100.

The more I read it, the more I realise how appropriate it is to prepare us to lead others in collective worship.

Do your prayers fence God in, or release the power of his Spirit?  Consider these verses: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name.......” (John 14:13) “...ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” (John 15:7 NIV)

The rodeo bull is frustrated waiting for the gate to open but all explosive energy once let loose. I wonder sometimes whether my prayers are more fence than gate. Granted, the metaphor is limited. I'm not suggesting God is a bull, nor that you are his rodeo rider. But, can we consider the gate and fence images for a moment?

Prayer app: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/prayer-app-prayer-journal-for-christian/id351404498?mt=8

Two incidents this last Sunday from my sermon in Watford, and the sermon preached by Ben Dannett in Lower Earley have inspired today's podcast.

What is the best way to speak effectively to people different from us? In particular, I would like some advice on how to speak to young people - preteens, teens and people in their early 20s.

We take a leaf from the book "Speaking to Teenagers" by Doug Fields and Duffy Robbins.

A story today on the BBC website moved me, "How we found a way to cope with my granddad's dementia." Here's a prayer for all who suffer from dementia, and for those caring for them.

Is it good to pray for yourself? Is it spiritually healthy to talk to God about your own needs? Have you ever wondered if you were doing a selfish thing by praying for yourself? If it is a positive practice, what is the healthy balance between praying for ourselves, and other aspects of prayer? I saw a question on Quora that made me think it through. Let me know your views in the comments section below.

“7 ways to conclude a lesson”

1. Question - Lk 18.8

2. Call Back - Luke 13.16 / 21

3. Action Challenge - Lk 10.37

4. Illustration - Matt 19.13-15

5. Scripture - Lk 20.17-18

6. Provocative Statement - Lk 4.27

7. Promise - Lk 11.13

Your ideas?

Comment here

We’re having a third bite at this topic: developing a healthy prayer life by praying in such a way as to be confident God will act....

Not being specific can have long-term consequences. Prayer is rarely satisfying nor meaningful if we go into our times of prayer without a willingness to be specific in our requests. Jesus was specific many times. For example, when he prayed for Peter:

“But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”” (Luke 22:32 NIV11)

In the previous two articles, we discovered two principles. Prayers that cause God to act are effective, 1. When God is who we are seeking; 2. When we are willing to be changed. Let me offer the final of these three thoughts…