Archive for the 'Prayer' Category
The Pastor and His Prayer Life
The following article was featured on PreachingSource.com on September 7, 2016.
One of the most powerful experiences of my life occurred when someone challenged me to prioritize prayer in my life. When I embraced prayer in my college years, not only did it change my life, it also became formative for everything in my life.
To this very day, beginning my day with God in His Word and having an ongoing conversation with Him has been the greatest key to my entire life and ministry. The ministry of preaching will not ever go beyond the preacher’s personal walk with God.
Prayer Is Built Upon the Word of God
Prayer is built on the Word of God. This prevents us from getting out of balance or off into theological error. Sometimes people think those who practice prayer are intellectual midgets or theologically inferior. Great prayer warriors base their praying on God’s Word, the surest truth in this world.
The most highly intelligent and theologically astute should be the greatest prayer warriors on the face of the earth. They should realize the Bible is God’s Word and authority on all things, praying with deep belief in God and His power. Preaching must be in the power of the Holy Spirit and this will never occur if a preacher and his prayer life is not built upon the Word of God.
As a pastor is preparing a sermon, it is imperative to seek God first above all else. Preaching is a relationship between the preacher and the people of God; however, this relationship will never supersede the preacher’s relationship with God personally.
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
America, We Need God
It should not have taken a terrorist attack upon America to help us see our need for God. On the Sunday following the 9/11 attack on our nation fifteen years ago, churches were filled and overflowing with people in America. The good news: people turned to God. The bad news: soon He was forgotten.
America, we need God. While we seek His face and favor upon our nation, we also need to be engaged in the privileges of political engagement afforded to each of us due to living in America.
Yet, we need God in America again. There is not one politician, political party, president, governmental agency, educator, entertainer, governor, preacher, celebrity, athlete, or leader who can do what God can do in America.
Make no mistake about it, each of these are a vibrant and needed part of who we are as a nation. But while each is important, not one is imperative. God is!
God is our only solution for America. He is never our problem.
This Sunday, September 11, on the 15th anniversary of 9/11, countless churches across America will dedicate anywhere from 11 minutes to 1 hour in their worship services to call out to God for the future of our nation. Will your church dedicate at least 11 minutes this coming Sunday for focused and intentional prayer for America? Do you have a better solution than this for America?
Unity is needed in America. God can.
Security is needed in America. God can.
Future and hope are needed in America. God can.
America, we need God.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.