Improving Your Prayer Life through a Study of the Psalter

Improving Your Prayer Life through a Study of the Psalter PDF Author: Randall C. Bailey
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1666715646
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 99

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Book Description
How should we pray? Do we believe God answers our prayers? Is it acceptable to complain to God? Should we bargain with him to receive the response we desire? Why do we praise God? Does our praise make him any more "God"? John Calvin argued basically that the purpose of prayer is to realign the petitioner's feelings and beliefs with God's. Many today seem to have adopted this idea. One says, "Why pray at all. God knows everything so my prayers cannot change his mind. I must pray to discover God's will for my life. I must realign my will with God's will for my life." In contrast, the psalmists assumed a reciprocal process. They believed they could bring pressures on God to answer their requests. They would bargain with God and promise him certain things if he would only grant their petitions. Indeed, this was part of the process. They would obligate themselves to praise God if he would grant their desires. Such bargaining was the foundation of their prayers. Comparisons of Calvin's views with the psalmists' allows the reader to investigate the nature of his or her prayer life and make improvements where necessary.

Improving Your Prayer Life through a Study of the Psalter

Improving Your Prayer Life through a Study of the Psalter PDF Author: Randall C. Bailey
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1666715646
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 99

Get Book Here

Book Description
How should we pray? Do we believe God answers our prayers? Is it acceptable to complain to God? Should we bargain with him to receive the response we desire? Why do we praise God? Does our praise make him any more "God"? John Calvin argued basically that the purpose of prayer is to realign the petitioner's feelings and beliefs with God's. Many today seem to have adopted this idea. One says, "Why pray at all. God knows everything so my prayers cannot change his mind. I must pray to discover God's will for my life. I must realign my will with God's will for my life." In contrast, the psalmists assumed a reciprocal process. They believed they could bring pressures on God to answer their requests. They would bargain with God and promise him certain things if he would only grant their petitions. Indeed, this was part of the process. They would obligate themselves to praise God if he would grant their desires. Such bargaining was the foundation of their prayers. Comparisons of Calvin's views with the psalmists' allows the reader to investigate the nature of his or her prayer life and make improvements where necessary.

Improving Your Prayer Life through a Study of the Psalter

Improving Your Prayer Life through a Study of the Psalter PDF Author: Randall C. Bailey
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 166671562X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 118

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Book Description
How should we pray? Do we believe God answers our prayers? Is it acceptable to complain to God? Should we bargain with him to receive the response we desire? Why do we praise God? Does our praise make him any more “God”? John Calvin argued basically that the purpose of prayer is to realign the petitioner’s feelings and beliefs with God’s. Many today seem to have adopted this idea. One says, “Why pray at all. God knows everything so my prayers cannot change his mind. I must pray to discover God’s will for my life. I must realign my will with God’s will for my life.” In contrast, the psalmists assumed a reciprocal process. They believed they could bring pressures on God to answer their requests. They would bargain with God and promise him certain things if he would only grant their petitions. Indeed, this was part of the process. They would obligate themselves to praise God if he would grant their desires. Such bargaining was the foundation of their prayers. Comparisons of Calvin’s views with the psalmists’ allows the reader to investigate the nature of his or her prayer life and make improvements where necessary.

Prayer

Prayer PDF Author: Timothy Keller
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0698161408
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 334

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Book Description
Renowned pastor and New York Times bestselling author of The Prodigal Prophet Timothy Keller explores the power of prayer. Christians are taught in their churches and schools that prayer is the most powerful way to experience God. But few receive instruction or guidance in how to make prayer genuinely meaningful. In Prayer, renowned pastor Timothy Keller delves into the many facets of this everyday act. With his trademark insights and energy, Keller offers biblical guidance as well as specific prayers for certain situations, such as dealing with grief, loss, love, and forgiveness. He discusses ways to make prayers more personal and powerful, and how to establish a practice of prayer that works for each reader. Dr. Keller’s previous books have sold more than one million copies. His Redeemer Presbyterian Church is not only a major presence in his home base of New York, it has also helped to launch more than two hundred fifty other churches in forty-eight cities around the world. His teachings have already helped millions, the majority of whom pray regularly. And with Prayer, he’ll show them how to find a deeper connection with God.

Companion to the Psalter

Companion to the Psalter PDF Author: Robert G. Beckstrand
Publisher: CSS Publishing
ISBN: 0788024647
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 338

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Book Description
Companion to the Psalter by Robert G. Beckstrand is a biblical theme book and devotional reading book to the Psalms. Here are some of the topics covered in this devotional reading guide: - A Brief Introduction and Devotional Guide to the Psalms - Devotional guide - Devotional reading - Commentaires on the book of Psalms - Book of Psalms - Biblical themes The Psalms are an essential element of corporate worship and devotional life -- but Robert Beckstrand believes that many Christians would profit immensely by spending more time with these ancient hymns and the deep well of comfort and wisdom they contain. Indeed, the Psalms are a marvelous spiritual resource through which the Holy Spirit * teaches us how to pray, * leads us to repentance, * anchors us in both realism and hope, * reveals the reality of exuberant joy in the Lord, and * gives us a richer understanding of God. The Companion to the Psalter provides a quick orientation to all 150 Psalms -- making it an excellent guide for anyone who wants to use the Psalms in their Bible study or daily devotions as well as a versatile reference for pastors in their homiletic preparation. Beckstrand treats each Psalm individually, offering an outline and brief commentary that explains key words and concepts as well as suggestions for reflection and a prayer. Additional material includes a chart dividing the psalms into key groupings plus an appendix showing how each psalm fits into the lectionary. With Companion to the Psalter at your fingertips, you'll be able to immerse yourself in the hymnal that Jesus used -- and therefore better understand our Lord Jesus Christ. Robert G. Beckstrand is a retired Lutheran pastor who served ELCA congregations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa during a half-century of ministry. He now resides in Stoughton, Wisconsin. Companion to the Psalter is a biblical theme book and devotional reading book and devotional reading guide to the Psalms.

Nearing a Far God

Nearing a Far God PDF Author: Leslie Leyland Fields
Publisher: NavPress
ISBN: 1641586753
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 187

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Book Description
Experience Transformation When You Pray the Psalms with Your Whole Self Feeling hopeless? Lonely? Anxious? Do you want to experience the presence and love of God through every joy and struggle of life? Do you long to enrich your prayer life and grow your relationship with God? The Psalms will guide you into fresh encounters and a lasting deeper attachment to God. You may have read or studied the Psalms. In Nearing a Far God: Praying the Psalms with Our Whole Selves, you’ll experience the Psalms in fresh, personal, and life-changing ways: Discover how the Psalms can draw you into dialogue with God no matter your pain, struggle, or doubt Practice transformative writing and prayer exercises that engage and impact the whole brain and the whole self Reclaim ancient practices of movement and bodily postures to heighten your worship and deepen attachment to God Masterful teacher and award-winning author Leslie Leyland Fields has helped thousands of God-seekers around the world experience spiritual breakthroughs by expressing their life stories through the lens of Scripture. Whether you read and practice Nearing a Far God on your own, with a local group, or with a cohort organized by Fields, you too can experience profound change, hope, and the always near presence of a loving God.

The Universal Element in the Psalter

The Universal Element in the Psalter PDF Author: John Merlin Powis Smith
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bible
Languages : en
Pages : 46

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Book Description


Psalms

Psalms PDF Author: W. H. Jr. Bellinger
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 144123876X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
A leading authority on the Psalms and a seasoned teacher presents a new edition of an already successful book. W. H. Bellinger takes account of the latest developments in Psalms studies and presents a nuanced approach in this accessible and concise primer. Not only will students of the Psalms appreciate these studies but church leaders teaching from the Psalms will also gain new insight from this classic text.

Psalms

Psalms PDF Author: Eugene H. Peterson
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830862358
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 64

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Book Description
The Psalms show you how to relate to God as you pray your doubt, fears and anger. They show you how to respond to God in praise. In this twelve-session LifeGuide® Bible Study you will find the best place to explore who you are and what God means to you.

Open and Unafraid

Open and Unafraid PDF Author: W. David O. Taylor
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 1400210496
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description
"A book you will want to read and read again." -- Eugene Peterson Afterword by Bono. How can we find a more transparent, resilient, and fearless life of faith? The book of Psalms has been central to God's people for millennia, across all walks of life and cultural contexts. In reading it, we discover that we are never alone in our joys, sorrows, angers, doubts, praises, or thanksgivings. In it, we learn about prayer and poetry, honesty and community, justice and enemies, life and death, nations and creation. Open and Unafraid shows us how to read the psalms in a fresh, life-giving way, and so access the bottomless resources for life that they provide. "David Taylor’s take is 'open and unafraid' alright. He really goes there, exposing himself before God in the most beautiful way. He might have called the book Naked, because if you don’t find your own self feeling a little exposed here, it might be time to take some armor off." -- Bono, from the Afterword "A book that you will want to read and read again, and yet again, in order to discover the wisdom of the Psalms that shows us how to walk in the life-giving way of Jesus." -- Eugene Peterson, from the Foreword "A winsome, accessible entry into the Book of Psalms…Connects the poetry of the psalms to real-life wonders and struggles." -- Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary "Taylor reads these biblical prayers with Dr. Seuss, rappers, and other poets, along with theologians and the daily news....Guides readers in tracing out patterns of holy speech that have the potential for healing our hearts and our communities." -- Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School "I have always loved the psalms--for their defiant devotion, their deep joy, and their brutal yet beautiful honesty. And after reading this fantastic book about them, I love them even more." -- Matt Redman, worship leader and song writer "In these fraught and fearsome days, we need the psalms more than ever. And we need more faithful artists and thinkers like David Taylor to mine the infinite gifts the psalms offer across the ages." -- Karen Swallow Prior, author of Fierce Convictions

The Psalms

The Psalms PDF Author: J.w. Gregg Meister
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781532072208
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description
When we face trouble, feel joy, or just want spiritual inspiration, the Bible's Book of Psalms gives us wisdom and comfort. Rev. J.W. Gregg Meister shows us in The Psalms: The Prayer Book of Jesus that Jesus Himself turned to the psalms for strength and guidance while He walked on earth. Meister's fresh reflections open up the Book of Psalms for contemporary readers with helpful strategies for praying the psalms with Christian resolve. Grounded in his rich experiences as Presbyterian pastor, entrepreneur, and mission-minded videographer in Latin America and Israel, Meister offers valuable insights into the context, content, and claim of selected psalms. Written with clarity and compassion, Meister's perceptive meditations on these psalms manage the rare combination of deepening both understanding and faith.