“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’”
Luke 11:1
If you’ve been a Christian very long, you know the frustrating difficulty of being faithful in prayer. We often cry out to God in times of emergency and fear. But how are you at consistent, honest, deep conversations with the Lord? Could you say you have remained focused in prayer, have grown as a prayer warrior, or have made prayer a daily priority? Perhaps you feel that your prayers consist of “contorted syntax, formulaic phrases, meaningless repetition, vague non-requests, pious tones of voice and air of confusion,” as Paul Miller described in his 2009 book, A Praying Life.
The unexpected trials and challenges I’ve experienced in the past several years have caused me to pray and wrestle in prayer more than ever. I have read about, thought about, and engaged in prayer in new ways.
This month’s devotions reflect on what I have learned and what God is still teaching me about prayer. Do you desire a deeper prayer life? May the following weeks of Anchor bring us closer to Jesus who delights to hear our prayers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Glen M. VanderKooi
This is the fourth Anchor Glen VanderKooi has written for Haven, all of them while in the long recovery process from a stroke he experienced in 2014. Before that time, Glen had practiced corporate real estate law for 16 years. Now his days include various therapies, volunteering to give legal assistance for two international Christian nonprofits, and involvement in his local church. Glen and his wife Kori have been married for 28 years and have four children ages 17 to 21. Some of his greatest joys are attending his kids’ sporting events, reading, and birdwatching.
The unexpected trials and challenges I’ve experienced in the past several years have caused me to pray and wrestle in prayer more than ever. I have read about, thought about, and engaged in prayer in new ways.
This month’s devotions reflect on what I have learned and what God is still teaching me about prayer. Do you desire a deeper prayer life? May the following weeks of Anchor bring us closer to Jesus who delights to hear our prayers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Glen M. VanderKooi
This is the fourth Anchor Glen VanderKooi has written for Haven, all of them while in the long recovery process from a stroke he experienced in 2014. Before that time, Glen had practiced corporate real estate law for 16 years. Now his days include various therapies, volunteering to give legal assistance for two international Christian nonprofits, and involvement in his local church. Glen and his wife Kori have been married for 28 years and have four children ages 17 to 21. Some of his greatest joys are attending his kids’ sporting events, reading, and birdwatching.
Scripture Focus
Luke 11:1-4
Insight
“Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God.” (Oswald Chambers, 1924)
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 26-27
- Psalm 60
- Luke 24
