Bill Hybels
American author, speaker, and the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois.
Adoration in prayer reminds us of God's identity and inclination. As we list his attributes, lifting up his character and personality, we reinforce our understanding of who he is.
The heart and soul of the Christian life is learning to hear God's voice and then developing the courage to do what he asks us to do.
Out-of-balance praying leads to no praying at all!
When Jesus prayed the model prayer we call the Lord's Prayer, his first requests were that God's name be shown reverence, that his kingdom come, that his will be done.
The reality is that our God is good. It's in his nature to be good; it's who he is--a giving God, a blessing God, an encouraging God, a nurturing God, an empowering God, a loving God. This is the God who willingly waits for your call.
If your ear is open to the afflicted, God will keep his ear open to you.
Busyness is the unrivaled archenemy of spiritual authenticity.
When we make a habit of prayer, we stay constantly tuned to God's presence and open to receive his blessings.
We can have no deep, ongoing fellowship with God unless we obey him - totally.
If Christ's followers aren't growing, it is because they are not making a habit of evaluating their lives. They don't step back and ask, "What's working and what's not working?"
Sensing the carelessness and one-sidedness of our prayers, we start to feel guilty about praying. Guilt leads to faint-heartedness and that in turn leads to prayerlessness.
There are two main principles I've picked up over the years as they pertain to cultivating the type of faith that moves mountains. The first is this: Faith comes by looking at God, not at the mountain. The second is this: God gives us faith as we walk by his side.
If the request is wrong, God says, "No." If the timing is wrong, God says, "Slow." If you are wrong, God says, "Grow." But if the request is right, the timing is right and you are right, God says, "Go!"
Unconfessed sin cuts off our communication with the Father.
Confession is probably the most neglected area of personal prayer.
Authentic Christianity is a supernatural walk with a living, dynamic, communicating God.
Keep on praying because the Father does listen. He loves our company, he wants us to endure in prayerfulness and he is eager to do whatever is best for us.
As you walk with God, your faith will grow, your confidence will increase and your prayers will have real power.
When I lump all my sins together and confess them en masse, I neglect to feel the pain or embarrassment or shame that should be elicited in me.
The greatest prayer motivator in existence is answered prayer.