Here’s a list of the Lament Psalms known as Imprecatory (Psalm 7, 35, 52, 54, 55, 58, 59, 79, 83, 94, 129, 137, and 140). Claus Westermann claims that these imprecatory Psalms “have once and for all been taken away from Christ’s congregation.”[1] Some of them[2] appear rather bloodthirsty, pre-Christian and inappropriate for believers to … Continue reading
There are lots of wonderful gifts that you can give, but the best gift you can give her is to regularly pray for her and tell her what you are praying for her. This is especially crucial if you’ve experienced a recent conflict. It is very hard to stay angry at someone for whom you … Continue reading
The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1 sets forth a number of directives for pastors… Pastors are called 1. To work with God‘s people so that they find their joy in the Lord not in circumstances or any other thing. 2. To pray, counsel, disciple, and preach so that God’s people “stand firm in their … Continue reading
In a recent time of studying and meditating on the Lord’s Prayer, I came across this wonderful piece from John Calvin on what we ought to reflect upon when we pray “our Father.” “The exuberance of his paternal kindness he sets before us in the parable, (Luke 15:20) when the father with open arms receives … Continue reading
Karl Barth: “To fold one’s hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” To begin an uprising…to turn the world upside down. In the closing months of WWII, Helmut Thielicke preached on the Lord’s Prayer. He spoke words that ring true for us today: “In these fearful, fateful … Continue reading
I don’t know about you but it always encourages me to hear the saints of old acknowledge their own difficulties in spiritual disciplines such as prayer. What a delight it should be for us to bring all our cares, burdens, joys, and petitions to the throne of grace, but, if you’re like me, you find … Continue reading
Martin Lloyd-Jones’ book Spiritual Depression has had a profound impact on my life. It is a compilation of his sermons from the book of Psalms. In his sermon on Psalm 42, he sets forth what he believes is the fundamental cause of all our unhappiness and prescribes a cure. “Have you realized that most of … Continue reading
“Whoever begins to pray the Psalms earnestly and regularly will soon take leave of those other light and personal little devotional prayers and say, ‘Ah, there is not the juice, the strength, the passion, the fire which you find in the Psalms. Anything else tastes too cold and too hard.’”
