Praying With Eyes Wide Open

Often we view prayer as an activity reserved for a certain time, in a certain place, offered in a specific way. But Scripture encourages us to pray continually. This exhortation is an opportunity for prayer to permeate every aspect of our lives--when we're alone or in a crowd, when it's quiet and when it's chaotic, when we feel like it and when we don't. Praying with Eyes Wide Open shows us how to make continuous prayer a natural part of our lives rather than something on our daily spiritual checklist. It helps us encounter God in new ways as we learn to - open our eyes to see his presence and the world around us - open our ears to hear his voice - open our hearts to experience freedom and power as we pray - and open our lives as we pray for and with others Anyone desiring a richer, more transformative prayer life will welcome this fresh take on conversing with our Creator.

Dr. Jerold Beeve hadn't uttered a serious prayer for more than 20 years. But when an anniversary vacation to Fiji turned into a long-term mission project, that all changed. A highly experienced ophthalmologist, Dr. Beeve was horrified by the lack of eye care in Fiji that allowed many even children to become unnecessarily blind. He and his wife, Dorothy, immediately made plans set up a clinic on the island. But how could they afford all the additional equipment and its transportation? Could they rely on the IRS to approve their 501(c)3 request at the last minute? And would the United States ambassador to Fiji ever answer his phone? Just when Dr. Beeve began to question his calling, he decided to pray. Within days everything fell into place with perfect precision. That was only the beginning. When the irreplaceable instrument needed for surgery broke, when an emergency caused siblings Beni and Sally to require prompt attention in the States, when Dorothy lay hours away from death th

"My prayers never seem to go anywhere." If that sounds like you, here is the help you've been looking for. Richard L. Pratt, Jr., knows the burdens many of us carry because of inadequate prayer lives. In this instructive yet often entertaining book, he offers clear biblical direction on how to pray more effectively. With remarkable care and balance he discusses key issues, from fascination with God to honest confession of our deepest needs, from concerns over form and freedom in prayer to questions about body language and fasting. Pratt tackles head-on the issues that can puzzle us the most: Why pray when God will do whatever He pleases anyway? Does God ever change His mind? Can we get anything we want by asking for it in Jesus' name? Is it ever right to argue with God? Discussion questions, practical exercises, and assignments with each chapter help to make this book ideal for Sunday school classes and study groups, as well as individual use. - Back cover.

Too many women live their lives thinking that the body God blessed them with is flawed, awkward, or just downright not acceptable. Come and take the challenge of going against the rest of the world and discovering the truth about what it means to be beautiful. (Christian)

Thoughts and Prayers! The Bible says that Jesus is reigning at God's right hand. He is on the throne. And that he is ruling over all things for the church. But what does that mean for us mortals here below? Admittedly, Christians can and do become discouraged, even hopeless, when living in the midst of a culture that denies God, where evil is bent on destroying whatever stands in its path that a believer holds dear. But that same Ascended Lord grants His people on earth a surprising way to see things in a whole new light: His own prayer-The Lord's Prayer-that is for the Kingdom which has come and is coming. While the world ridicules "thoughts and prayers" as worthless, Gerry Wisz shows how praying with spiritual eyes wide open activates a mighty Christian worldview that empowers the Flock of God to plant the Kingdom flag in every area of life. ". . . rarely have I read anything that has prompted me to implore with the disciples, 'Lord, teach us to pray.' As I read these meditations, I found that was my heart's renewed cry. I pray that it will be your heart's cry as well." George Grant, Ph.D.Parish Presbyterian Church. Gerry Wisz, B.A., M.A., has spent his career not only in journalism and communications, but also public relations and marketing in the New York City area. An avid student of Scripture and a popular college professor, he has been married to his wife, Betty, for over 40 years. They gratefully enjoy the blessings of eight children and seven grandchildren.

As a young mum, the most frustrating thing that I had to deal with was reading books that told me to do this or that and my children would grow up into real, well adjusted adults. The trouble was, when I tried any of these things, my children reacted very differently to what books said would happen. I declared that I would never give advice until my grandchildren told me I had done a good job, and even then I would be very reluctant. When we become Christians, God changes us in much the same way that He turned the water in wine at the wedding at Cana. The improvement of us, however, takes a lifetime. This book shares some of the ways that God worked that improvement in my life. If there is one thing that God has taught me, it is that we are all made as individuals in His image and He will teach all of us differently. He does, however, expect all of us to share His blessings with whoever we can. I was challenged by my minister in June 2011 to start writing these short stories for the church notice sheet. The result was this collection. As I look back, I am surprised to see just what God had done. I hope by sharing how God has used many of the circumstances in my life to teach me what He wanted me to learn, that I can be an encouragement to others. Please enjoy my journey.

Could sharing your faith be the secret to developing your spiritual maturity? For many followers of Jesus, discipleship means doing certain things to deepen our connection with Jesus Christ. But our spiritual growth checklists are often disconnected from the mission of reaching a lost world with the gospel message. Taking a holistic approach that unites evangelism and discipleship, Kevin and Sherry Harney demonstrate how God's plan for our spiritual growth is intimately connected to his mission to the world. In Organic Disciples, the couple lead ordinary followers of Jesus through seven markers of spiritual maturity, showing how simple shifts in our Bible reading, prayer, community life, giving, service, and other biblical practices can connect us with God's work of reaching people with his love. You'll learn: Why true spiritual maturity will always lead believers outward to engage the world with the good news and truth of Jesus. How to overcome the common roadblocks and false narratives that stand in the way of spiritual maturity. How to design a personal pathway of growth to be more like Jesus in character and mission. Along with the Organic Disciples book, churches and individuals can utilize a free, self-directed online tool at OrganicOutreach.com to help each person identify where they are in their growth journey. Also look for eight-session small group curriculum—Organic Disciples Study Guide (9780310139089)—to take congregations and Christians deeper on this journey.

“This book demonstrates how to pray and what to say to transform your life from failure to blessing and turn fear into faith.” —Arielle Ford, author of The Soulmate Secret Prayer can point your life in the right direction—or the wrong one.Whatever you’ve got going on in your life is what you’ve been praying for—often unconsciously. If you want something different, you must pray a different prayer. This book will show you how to do just that. Everything you do is prayer. Many don’t realize it, but the decisions you make throughout the day, the attitudes you adopt, the conversations you have, the way you respond to other people, and the thoughts you think—even the food you choose to eat and the way you spend your money—are all prayers. We are constantly communing with the Divine, even in our most mundane activities. And our prayers are always answered in the affirmative: “Yes.” Whatever you’re thinking about (and therefore praying about) will manifest in your life. If you’re worrying, “I don’t have enough money,” the Universe will say ‘Yes, you don’t have enough money.’ If you’re constantly lamenting, “I don’t have a man in my life,” the Universe will respond, ‘Yes, you don’t have a man.’ If you frequently complain, “I’m fat,” the Universe will answer, ‘Yes, you’re fat.’ Your thoughts and words are prayers, and the Universe always gives you what you’re praying for. Your Life is Your Prayer will show you how to change your life by changing your prayer: Learn how to stop complaining Discover how to focus on what you do want, not what you don’t want Learn how to make your prayers positive and affirming—to get more of what you want in your life Discover how, by constantly choosing new thoughts and new conversations, you will literally create a new life for yourself