Removing Doubt and Fear from our Prayer Life

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Impediments to Prayer

Removing Doubt and Fear from our prayer lives as an impediment to the fullness of our faith and prayer is the subject of today’s message. The importance of prayer, and specifically a prayer in which we are confidently asking God to increase us in faith, can't be overstated. Haven’t we all prayed with a spirit of fear and doubt at some point in our lives? And, when we did this didn’t we find that the ground was shaking beneath us, and a fire burned within us? Yes, we had lost the Peace of God that we had felt when we prayed as we should? Taking the time to still our hearts before beginning to pray is a good way to steady our faith, and find courage in the low whisper of God. Taking a deep breath and then slowly letting it out is a wonderful way for our spirit to call Him.

How God Rewards Prayer

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Rewards and Prayer

As I read a devotional one morning, and I contemplated its theme... “God Rewards”. It caused me to take pause, and think about the ways that statement was true, and to compare it to the many ways that this broad statement was not. On this particular morning E.M. Bounds had written the words "Faith believes that God rewards.", and although that is true, it is not unconditionally true. Some tie this way of thinking to a religion of prosperity, but this is a deadly trap.

Prayer, and the Tears of Jesus

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Maturing Prayer

We know from reading scripture that prayer and faith are inseparable companions; one can't thrive without the other. Faith proceeds prayer and makes it effective, while prayer increases faith as we ask God to increase us in it. We have faith in the promise that God answers prayer, and receive that promise through the very prayers we faithfully pray. Jesus prayed that Peter's faith be increased, and we should ask God to increase ours as well. The stronger and more steadfast our faith becomes, the more likely we are to remain in God’s will, and in this way our prayers will be asked as the should be… in the name of Jesus… in God’s will.

Prayer, Faith, Clergy, and Mothers

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Raising Children

This morning we will consider the role of mothers, and the clergy, as it relates to raising children in prayer and faith. We know that this is a pastor’s primary calling, and this is confirmed by reading what Pastor E.M. Bounds wrote on the subject "The work of the ministry is to change unbelieving sinners into praying, believing saints." But Bounds goes on to say that "By faith we are saved, and by faith we stay saved. Prayer introduces us to a life of faith.", and often that introduction begins in a mother’s arms. Our Bible verses today drive this fact home by pointing out that faith is indeed a gift born of grace, and that the disciples prayed with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus.

Pastors, Saints, and the Attributes of a Wicked Man

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Wickedness and Faith

Today we are focusing primarily on what it takes to be a successful pastor by using the description of Caesar, early Rome, and a wicked man from Psalm 10 to make this point for us. But, whether we are pastors with much responsibility, or laypersons, and saints who are dealing with our own smaller worlds, this is a good lesson for us. Are we ready to turn all our thoughts to God?

An Rx for Healing Prayer

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Victory in Prayer

I found great value in the devotional message I read this morning. It contained a prescription for healing the doubt and fear in my life. Of course, the solution came from scripture and was simply expounded upon further by E.M. Bounds. The scripture reference I am referring to came from Philippians where Paul wrote of the power in praying in everything... Prayer is the medicine that heals all our woes, sorrows, and illnesses. Prayer give us the peace of God and will keep our minds fixed on Him through Jesus.

Humility Gives Wings to Prayer

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Humble Prayers

Humility Gives Wings to Prayer... That is a wonderful title for a devotional message on praying as we should, and this is the second time in a week that we are visiting the subject of humility. Humility places God and others before ourselves and admits that we are lacking in some way. This is a holy virtue indeed. Perhaps the Spirit is leading us back to look at our humility once more because we are still found lacking in it, or maybe we are being taught how to portray it better in our lives so that it might be seen more clearly by others as they pursue faith and salvation in theirs.

God’s Illumination of our Faith

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Light of God

Fall days can be wonderful, we stand in the rays of the sun and feel their warmth on our faces, yet despite the sun’s warmth the actual temperature is much cooler. It feels like one of the most perfect and comfortable times of the year. But, when we walk into the shade we suddenly feel a chill, and pull our collar up tight around our neck. Only by standing in the direct sunlight can we enjoy the sun’s warmth. Standing in our faith is much the same, and when we step out of it, we also feel the world’s chill setting in once more.

Humility in Prayer

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Humble Prayer

When the bible speaks of humility the general consensus is that it is speaking of someone who is self-effacing, obedient to God, respects themselves and others, and is also modest, meek, humble, and submissive. My devotional reading today reminded me that "God puts a great price on humility of heart" and that it brings us closer to God. I can honestly say that those times when I have exhibited the greatest humility, and humbled myself the most, have also been the times when I truly felt the hand of God upon me.

Faith, Prayer, and the Promise

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Faith, Prayer, Work

Faith, prayer, and the promise... Often we are busy doing so many other things around the church, or exercising our various gifts in our everyday lives, that we neglect what is central to the mission of our faith. E.M. Bounds reminded me in my morning devotional reading that "Today, as much as at any time, we need followers of God to have great faith and powerful prayer." He went on to say "These are the two most important virtues that make men great in the eyes of God."

Faith; the Substance of Things Hoped For

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Faith and Hope

As I read my devotional today, the words of the author, E.M. Bounds, described faith as that which "determines our relationship with God - how we deal with Him and how we see Him as the savior." I latched onto his phrase "Faith is not believing just anything. It is believing God, resting in Him and trusting His word.", but so many people have faith and hope in other things that don’t warrant their faithfulness at all. We hear this all the time. We hear people say that they have faith in this or that, a sports team, a political party, even a pastor or priest, and there doesn’t seem to be any limit as to what they will place their faith in. Do you see this too?

Praying, and the War Room

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Prayer Closet

2/01/2024

Prayer, and an unwavering faith; what a great message for today, and applying our faith to our prayers brings amazing power to bear. I must admit that there have been times when I have prayed and even before the words have left my mouth... I have encountered doubt. Satan might whisper to me that the situation is too far gone, the task is too great, this request is too trivial to concern God, or attack me personally by asking a question like… why would God do this for someone as undeserving as you? These are just some of the reasons for doubt that Satan uses to rob us of answered prayer, but if we will remain faithful, and say “get thee behind me Satan”, then we will have won the battle, and perhaps the war.

Our Anointing; the Gift of God

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Our Anointing

I was lifted up this morning as I considered God’s anointing to be a portion of Himself. It is a gift of God... Not a gift to aid our physical condition, but rather a spiritual gift. In Matthew 17 Jesus spoke to His disciples of faith as being a mustard seed, something powerful despite its diminutive size, and it being a part of us, but when He spoke of God’s anointing it was of the Holy Spirit... a bit of Himself. Is our anointing something small like the mustard seed of faith, or is it a portal, a doorway into the infinite divinity of God?

Living and Praying in the Valleys

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Life in the Valley

Most Christians envision themselves standing on a mountaintop with their arms stretched up towards the sky, and there is nothing wrong with that because it is a Holy place, but when it comes right down to it, we live out our everyday lives in the valleys. We go to the mountain, but we return home to the valley, and yet we spiritually seem to have this idea engrained in us that valleys are bad places to be. Perhaps it is because whenever we think of a valley we recall the 23rd Psalm and its reference to the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but scripture has much more to say about valleys than to tell us that death resides there too. After all, death can only reside where first there is life.

Imitating God, and Jesus

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Seven Mercies

Godlike Sympathies; I was touched this morning by how incredibly merciful, loving, and sympathetic God truly is. I thought of Jesus nailed to the cross and my eyes filled with tears; not so much for the suffering He endured (which always brings me to tears) but for the love, mercy, and sympathy that He and His Father have for mankind, and the grace that they continue to pour out on us. We saw it on Calvary, and we continue to see it every day in our own lives. Does it make us want to be like them?

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