The subject of prayer is a vast subject but it is also a subject that can yield feelings of guilt and inadequacy. When you read books about people who regularly spent hours in prayer each day and you attempt to rise up to this the results can be oppressive. Or you read the prayers of those who have come before us you can easily conclude “I cannot speak like this. I cannot even think of all of these things. This is something that only certain people can do, it is out of my reach. ”In this second installment of our two-part message, Rick Anderson, takes us through Psalm 17 where we continue looking at five important and motivating truths that can help us in our time spent with God in prayer—whether it be five minutes or two hours!

The subject of prayer is a vast subject but it is also a subject that can yield feelings of guilt and inadequacy. When you read books about people who regularly spent hours in prayer each day and you attempt to rise up to this the results can be oppressive. Or you read the prayers of those who have come before us you can easily conclude “I cannot speak like this. I cannot even think of all of these things. This is something that only certain people can do, it is out of my reach.” In this two-part message, Rick Anderson, takes us through Psalm 17 where we discover five important and motivating truths that can help us in our time spent with God in prayer—whether it be five minutes or two hours!

One of the key words of Psalm 16 is the word “preserve.” David prays, “Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.” In this message, Rick Anderson explains each verse of this precious psalm and shows how the idea of preservation is at the heart of this sacred word.

Who shall live in the presence of God? That is the question Psalm 15 takes up. Its answer can be summarize by the words “he who walks blamelessly.” At first glance that doesn’t seem like good news. But as the Psalm is studied something absolutely beautiful emerges. In this message, Rick Anderson takes us through this study to see not only the beauty of it but also the magnificence of its promise for us as followers of Jesus.

Here is a three word question with profound importance: Who are we? Improperly or inadequately answered and what Jesus has done on the cross makes no sense or worse, becomes irrelevant. In this message from Psalm 14, Pastor Rick Anderson answers this question and in doing so exposes the profound importance of what Jesus has done.

Regardless of whether we have embraced Christianity or not the words “how long” are very recognizable and meaningful. And in the Christian life, we will face trying seasons where God’s answer to our prayers are seemingly absent. What do we do as followers of Christ when no relief is in view? When God is seemingly silent? In this message, Rick Anderson answers this question from Psalm 13.

In Psalm 12, David calls on the Lord to save from the widespread lies and flattery that abounded everywhere in his day. Moving to our own time we all recognize we also live in a time of widespread deception. Can the garden survive when it is totally overrun with the weeds of lies and manipulation? In this message, after developing both the danger of deception and common types of deception, Rick Anderson answers this question from Psalm 12.

In ancient times the city had walls that were carefully constructed to protect it from invasion. In the event of war, the walls would be the last thing to protect the city from their enemy. In the same way, we have enjoyed freedom to proclaim the Word of God in this country. Freedom protected by the walls of freedom of religion and speech. What happens when these walls come down? In this message, Rick Anderson develops this important question and explains six important truths that strengthen our faith when the walls come down.

As we follow the Lord there are two things we need to keep worked out in our minds and hearts: God’s promises and His timing. In our frailty, God’s timing, especially if it is delayed, can cause us to weaken in our conviction of His promises. In this message, Rick Anderson explains how the psalmist has struggled through this common pitfall and how the psalmist prayerfully prevailed. In following the psalmist we can also prevail through these difficult seasons growing stronger in the Lord.

In the midst of one of the most terrifying attributes of God is a wonder that is beyond comprehension. The Bible is abundantly clear God is a righteous judge and that is terrifying—if we haven’t found it to be frightening we have not come to grips with it yet. But Psalm 9 teaches us that God is a Sovereign Judge who is both an Advocate and a Refuge for all who know His name and put their trust in Him. To know His name is to know He is holy and compassionate and that He calls all people to repent and trust in Him. In this message, Rick Anderson labors to show that as we trust in Lord, the Sovereign Judge not only becomes a refuge but also an advocate!