Our Hidden Mission: Promoting The Gospel Through Our Prayer.
Matthew 9:35-10:5 | Wei-Han Kuan |
Our Hidden Mission: Promoting the Gospel through our Prayers
In his book 'Promoting the Gospel', John Dickson describes the notion that evangelism begins with prayer as a 'mother's milk' kind of statement. And like mother's milk, so many of us seem to have outgrown it. But prayer is so essential, so basic, and so needful! I do not doubt that the lack of prayer is the cause of most pastoral problems and a main reason for evangelistic ineffectiveness.
How can we encourage each other towards carrying out our hidden mission: to pray? What are some of the reasons why we might find prayer difficult? What are some good ideas to help us pray more? I hope to provide some answers through today's sermon. Here are three useful resources:
J. C. Ryle's essay on Prayer is a classic and fortifying read!
D. A. Carson's book 'A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from the Prayers of Paul' has done more for my prayer life than just about any other book (except the Bible).
J. I. Packer's 'Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God' deals with the big theological tension at the heart of the matter. It's only a little book, but full of solid food and is a real tonic for prayer.