A calling, as defined in the first article, is when we perceive God defining a purpose we are intended to pursue to change the world around us. In Matthew 5, Jesus is teaching on what is called “The Beatitudes” in which he defines people who will be blessed by God. One category of such people are those who work at establishing peace.

I was recently asked to teach a group of pastors in Tanzania about what it means to know you’re calling and how to identify it. I have taught on Christian leadership for many years but have never been asked to teach specifically on an individuals calling. That being said, I dove into the subject and studied what the word had to say. Through these articles I will try to unpack what I have learned and identified about my own calling, which will hopefully help you discover your own.

In this series on prayer, I have dealt with a number of reason why people struggle so much with having a fulfilling prayer life. In this article I want to talk about two very big hindrances to Christians having real faith when they pray. These two subjects have been taught by many pastors and teachers over the years because in the body of Christ no one wants to be labeled as a teacher of wrong concepts or theology, and because these teachers have been trained to embrace reformed theology in particular. In my mind, these teachings are damaging to not only the practice of prayer but to evangelism and reaching unbelievers.

If there is a topic that Christians should know about it should be prayer. Unfortunately, the average believer generally gropes around in the spiritual darkness expressing their desires to God with the hope he will listen and possibly answer. How sad that a topic like prayer is so misunderstood and so poorly practiced when Jesus expressed the utmost confidence in the power of prayer to change our circumstances in life. 

In the first article under this same title I shared how prayer should be a top priority of all believers and yet I fear it is often the least practiced discipline of the Christian faith. At best it is often a desperate means of crying for help from a God we barely know.

I have been thinking about writing about whether prayer really works or not for some time now. I found myself studying a great deal about prayer from scripture and books I haven’t read in years. I wanted to, as it were, “Hit All The Bases” on the subject rather than giving some flash-in-the-pan quick answers.

I started the first article with this same title and confessed I get offended. I also admitted I don’t have this idea or practice under control and often need to confess my frustration and anger to God. All that being said, I also stated that we all get offended from time to time. If you never get offended I would suggest you aren’t passionate about anything or anyone. To have strong beliefs opens you up to being offended when someone or something seems to violate your values or loyalties. If you haven’t read the first article on this subject please do so before continuing as it will make more sense.

In this study I have proposed a few key attitudes and behaviors that gain favor with God. In the first article we learned that having favor with God is developed and acquired through choice and discipline. Proverbs 12:2 states that “A good man obtains favor from God.”  In other words, our choices and conduct affect our standing, either good or bad, with God.

Christians often wonder why God doesn’t respond to their prayers. They believe that God loves them and yet there seems to be a disconnect when it comes to answered prayer. Maybe there is a problem with how we conduct ourselves since becoming Christians? Maybe there is more to ordering our lives in ways that please God and thus “Gain Favor?” In my opinion, this is one of the major misconceptions of our walk with God. We believe in God and embrace that Jesus died for our sin but often our understanding of how and why God operates eludes us. If you haven’t read the first article on “Favor With God” please read before reading this article. It will make more sense.

Words matter a lot! But what if the culture we find ourselves living in changes the meaning of a word?  Today, words are thrown around with a disregard to their true meaning. If the new, incorrect definitions are spoken by enough people then the actual words develop a new emotional meaning.  If we lose sight of what words and concepts in scripture actually mean, then we are bound to stumble.