Bible Studies

Prayer

Many struggle with the whole notion of prayer: How do I pray? 'Why do I find it so hard to keep up a steady, consistent habit of prayer? 'Is there a better way to pray than just to throw out what's on my mind? All of these are good questions and are addressed in this series.

This series was taught in the context of the local congregation (Providence Presbyterian Church), and that context is an essential foundation stone to prayer. Prayer is not just a 'Me and Jesus' thing. It's bigger than me, and includes my Christian Family, especially my immediate congregational family. Not only do I keep them in mind when I pray, but I also check my praying against the corrective of the Public Worship of God. That means my prayers are shaped by the gathered body of Christ as we join together weekly, to worship God.

But it also means that my praying is shaped by our common confession of faith. For Baptists that might be The Baptist Faith and Message. For Episcopalians, The Book of Common Prayer and its 39 Articles of Religion. And for Presbyterians, that means The Westminster Confession of Faith along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. And all of these common confessions of faith are molded, more or less, by Holy Scripture.

Therefore, these lessons on prayer will have a Presbyterian flavor to them, but will ultimately be applicable to all believers in Jesus Christ. Thus, you will see that I have drawn from a wide perspective: Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Methodist, and so forth. But ultimately, I have drawn heavily from the Whole Word of God.

Take these lessons, one-by-one. Do one a week, meditate on their content, start practicing what you understand immediately, and then move on to the next one.

I hope that you will enjoy these lessons, and may you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. " Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' name. Amen.

~ A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God, p.20

Worship Times

Worship
10:50AM
Sunday School
9:30AM
Vespers
6:00PM

The Five Solas - The Foundation of the Reformation and Providence Presbyterian (mp3)

Providence Podcast

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy.

Amen.
St. Augustine