Truth on the Trail with Dr. Pete Pawelek

Would you still give, serve, or help someone if nobody ever remembered what you did?

In Part 2 of our Nameless Nobodies series, we look at the often-overlooked owners of the colt Jesus rode into Jerusalem in Luke 19:28–38. Though Scripture never tells us their names, their willingness to make what they had available to Jesus played a part in one of the most significant moments of His earthly ministry.

Their story reminds us that what we give to Jesus produces glory for Jesus. Generosity isn't about how much we have or the recognition we receive. It's about recognizing what God has entrusted to us, responding to His calling, and being willing to release it for His glory.

When we give generously, the goal isn't for people to remember our names, but to remember His.

You don’t have to be known by everyone to be used by God.

In Part 1 of our Nameless Nobodies series, we look at the story of an unnamed servant girl in 2 Kings 5 whose simple act of faith helped change the life of Naaman, a powerful military commander. Though she had no position, power, or influence, she knew the God who could make a difference.

Her story reminds us that you don’t need a position to point somebody toward God. You don't have to have all the answers or a large platform. You simply need to be willing to speak up, share what you know, and trust God with the outcome.

God can use ordinary people to make an extraordinary difference!

What do you do when you pray for God to change something—but nothing changes? In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced incredible sorrow and anguish. He asked the Father for the cup to pass from Him, but ultimately prayed, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

In this final message from The Prince of Prayer, we discover four things Jesus teaches us about praying through the things God chooses not to remove: 1. Confess Your Sorrow — Faith doesn't require us to pretend something doesn't hurt. 2. Confess Your Struggle — We can honestly tell God what we want while still surrendering to what He wants. 3. Continue in the Silence — God's silence does not mean God's absence. When nothing seems to change, we keep praying and trusting. 4. Confront the Situation — Jesus entered the garden overwhelmed with sorrow, but He left ready to face the cross. Prayer didn't remove the problem; it prepared Him to face it.

Prayer prepares us to face what God chooses not to remove. Whatever you're facing today, your prayer can still be: “Nevertheless, I trust You.”

Have you ever prayed about the same situation again and again and wondered, “God, did You hear me?” In John 11, Jesus stands before Lazarus’ tomb and declares, “Father, I thank you that you heard me.” Jesus knew the Father heard Him, and His prayer wasn't only about Lazarus—it was also about the people listening.

In this message from The Prince of Prayer, we see three ways our prayers can point others toward Jesus: 1) Look Up, 2) Speak Up, and 3) Point Up

When God answers, don't just celebrate what happened. Tell people who answered your prayer. The story of Lazarus ultimately points us to Jesus, “the resurrection and the life.” The question He asked Martha is the same question before each of us: “Do you believe this?”

Have you ever found yourself in a season where there just wasn't enough? Not enough money. Not enough time. Not enough energy. Not enough help. Not enough answers. Not enough strength.

When what we have doesn't seem to match what we need, our natural response is to focus on the deficit. We calculate what is missing, worry about how we're going to make it work, and try to figure out how to fill the gap.

In John 6, Jesus shows us a different way to pray when there isn't enough. As thousands of hungry people gather around Him, the disciples see a problem: five barley loaves and two fish aren't enough. But Jesus already knows what He's going to do. Before the miracle happens, Jesus gives thanks.

And that teaches us a powerful truth: When there isn't enough, don't just look at the provision you're missing. Look at the Provider.

People hurt. But prayer works.

Every one of us knows what it feels like to be hurt by someone. Sometimes the pain is small and seemingly insignificant. Other times, it comes through betrayal, rejection, mistreatment, abuse, lies, or injustice. And when someone hurts us, our natural response is often to hurt them back.

But Jesus gives us a radically different way to respond. In Luke 6:27–36, Jesus says, “Love your enemies… bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

That command isn't easy. But Jesus didn't simply teach us to pray for those who hurt us—He demonstrated it. While hanging on the cross, surrounded by people who had betrayed, mocked, beaten, and crucified Him, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them.”

Have you ever had one of those days—or seasons—when it feels like everybody wants something from you? The demands, deadlines, responsibilities, opportunities, and needs can quickly become overwhelming. And when the pressure keeps coming, it can be easy to spend our lives simply responding to whatever is screaming the loudest.

But in Mark 1, we see Jesus face that exact kind of pressure.

After an incredible day of ministry where the whole town gathered at His door, Jesus did something unexpected. He withdrew. While it was still dark, He went to a deserted place and prayed. And when the disciples found Him, they told Him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

Jesus' response reveals a powerful lesson for all of us. Jesus modeled a rhythm of intentionally withdrawing from the pressure so He could remain focused on His mission. His example challenges us to create space to be with God and remember what He has actually called us to do.

It sounds like a simple request, but the disciples had no idea how much Jesus would unpack in response. In Luke 11, Jesus gives His followers a model for prayer—not simply teaching them what to pray, but showing them how to pray.

In this message from The Prince of Prayer, we discover a powerful truth: Prayer puts His priorities before mine.

Prayer isn't simply about bringing our priorities to God. It is about allowing God to reshape our priorities and align our hearts with His. As we walk through Jesus' model prayer, we see five priorities that transform the way we approach God: 1) His Name Before My Name, 2) Kingdom Before My Kingdom, 3) His Provision for My Needs, 4) His Grace for My Sin, 5) His Guidance for My Steps.

Jesus teaches us that prayer changes more than our circumstances—it changes us. It reorders what we value, reminds us who is truly in control, and teaches us to live with God's priorities at the center.

How do you know God's will when you're facing a major decision? Should you take the job? Should you move? Should you marry this person? Should you stay or leave?

In Luke 6, Jesus faced one of the most important decisions of His earthly ministry. Before He chose the twelve disciples, He spent the entire night in prayer. Why? Was He unsure what to do, or was He showing us something much deeper?

In this message from The Prince of Prayer series, Pastor Pete Pawelek explores Luke 6:12–16 and reveals a powerful biblical principle: Dependence precedes discernment.

Discover why seeking God is more important than simply seeking answers, why surrender always comes before direction, and why true prayer always leads to faithful obedience.

What if prayer isn't just something you do, but the very atmosphere in which you live? In the first message of Pastor Pete's new series, The Prince of Prayer, we begin at the first recorded prayer of Jesus in Luke 3. While many focus on the dramatic events surrounding His baptism, Luke (see Luke 3:21-23) quietly draws our attention to four powerful words: "As He was praying."

Rather than viewing prayer as a transaction—"If I pray, God will..."—Jesus shows us that prayer was the environment in which He lived. It was the backdrop of His identity, His relationship with the Father, and His ministry.

Whether you've prayed your whole life or are just beginning your journey with Christ, this message will challenge you to see prayer in a fresh way—not as a religious obligation, but as the place where life with God is lived every day.