by Bret Capranica | Dec 1, 2012 | Pastoral Ministry, Prayer, Preaching
Carefully Think Read Matthew 6:9-15. Recall last week’s message; what are we praying for when we ask for God’s name to be hallowed? What does it mean to “hallow” God’s name? Who is being asked to “hallow” God’s name? What is God’s kingdom and when is it “coming?” How is God’s will done in heaven? What are we praying when we ask for it to be done on earth? Prayerfully Meditate In light of Sunday’s opening message on prayer, how have you sought to incorporate it into your own prayer life? When you come to church this Sunday, think carefully about each movement of our time together. What is being emphasized in each part? How coudl this help you as you pray throughout the service? If God is sovereign, why do we pray for His will to be done? Which phrase within this prayer needs more focused attention in your own prayer time? Intentionally Act How will you specifically incorporate the first three phrases of the prayer in Matthew 6:9-10 into your regular time of prayer? Who will you pray for in this way? About what issues will you incorporate these themes as you pray? On at least three occasions this week, open your Bible to this passage and use it as a guide for your time of prayer. How does it help? What is most challenging in doing it? Use this model prayer in 6:9-13 in praying for our worship service this Sunday. Pray for those who do not know Christ and will be present in our service – that their hearts will be opened to God’s greateness,...
by Bret Capranica | Sep 25, 2012 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Prayer, Preaching
Praying for the pastor who will preach each Sunday is something many Christians eagerly do each week. We realize that the task of teaching Scripture is a difficult one. Ensuring Scriptural accuracy, adequately serving a wide variety of people ethnically, in gender, generationally, socially, etc., all in one gathering is a daunting task. Doing it every week of the year, sometimes multiple times a week, makes the task even more challenging. Not only are the physical elements of preaching daunting, the spiritual challenges are even more pressing. To think in the terms Paul used, when we preach, we are either an aroma of life producing life, or death producing death: eternity is at stake each time we preach (2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 1 Timothy 4:15, 16). Above all the external challenges, the effectiveness of preaching is ultimately a work God must do in our hearts. That’s what makes praying for the preacher and the work of preaching so essential. And again, many Christians are so faithful to pray for their pastors each week as they preach. Preparation Prayer Teams For a number of years I have been honored, encouraged by, and helped by a group of people who have committed themselves to pray for me each week in respect to my preaching. But this group of people have not merely prayed in general for me and my preaching on Sunday, they have taken it a step further and have been to committed to pray for me long before Sunday. I’ve been blessed to have a team of people who commit to pray for me on the days and during the...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 7, 2012 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Prayer, Video
Valley of...
by Bret Capranica | Sep 13, 2009 | Featured Articles, Prayer
Intercession I normally need something to keep me focused and directed when it comes to interceding for people and issues. Here’s how I break it down: Daily Intercessions. I tend to pray through a concentric circle of relationships when interceding for others and issues. This would begin with my own heart and the schedule I have for the day. My Wife. I have a list of passages that speak directly to her roles as a Christian, wife and mother and I normally use one of these for the foundation of my time of intercession for her. I have a list of specific requests that I have written down and a place beside each one to record the answer to these requests. My Children. I have another list of passages to use in prepping my mind to pray for my children. I pray for their salvation and for specific issues in their life and for my own involvement in their life as a father and Kelly and my input into their lives as parents. Church Leadership. Again, I use a series of specific verses and a list of desires I have for our leadership team. I use the passages as a beginning point for praying for each of them and their family members. I have ongoing lists of specific requests for our leadership team. List of ongoing miscellaneous requests. I have requests that date back to when I was in Junior High. I have simple pages that break down into a column for requests and one for answers. Anything and everything gets put here. Yes, it bleeds over into other...
