Free Range Preacher on Prayer

This episode emphasizes the importance of prayer during the pandemic, urging listeners to plan and commit to daily prayer, seek good examples for prayer, and learn from biblical figures like David. It also introduces avenues for joining a prayer community through social media platforms.

(Blast from the past,)

In D.A. Carson’s book, Praying with Paul, Doctor Carson encourages us to:

Plan to pray.

Remember the importance of prayer.

Make a time to pray.

Choose well models of godly prayer.

Your podcast principle encourages us to study the prayers of David, most pointedly from the Psalms.

Donation link:

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Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 045

This episode is a repeat of our episode on forgiveness. This episode was well received, and as you will hear, praying that 2023 will be a year of Jubilee and Forgiveness and revisiting just how serious God is about His children forgiving as we have been forgiven seems like a good idea.

Thank You, Jesus!

The host is weak, faltering, and wholly inadequate for the task, but the word of God is none of those.

The call for the children of God to forgive is serious, and the Bible uses:

Serious Command as witnessed by:

Commands

Matthew 6:14

Mark 11:25

Allusions:

Matthew 5:43-45

Philippians 2:3ff

Exhortations:

Ephesians 4:29-32

Romans 13

Serious Discipline:

David was disciplined through

Embarrassment; 2 Samuel 2:12

Physical Pain: Psalm 32&38

The regret of others paying for his sins: 2 Samuel 24:17

We have only updated the introduction.

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 044

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

In examining the question, "What is Prayer?" We accidentally learn why we pray.

Even though no Biblical person asks why we pray? Their lives reveal our anguished need for prayer.

We are sinners. Until glory, we struggle with sin. Prayer is the act of faith that assures our soul.

We are complex lonely beings, and prayer brings us into the arms of our heavenly Father, who knows us, holds us, and comforts us.

Some of my favorite prayers:

Hannah, 1 Samuel 1.

Fathers calling out for their children, Mark 9, Matthew 9, Luke 7.

A roofing job, Mark 2
,

Psalm 39, Psalm 42

The woman who touched Jesus' robe, Luke 8.

Scriptures referenced:

Luke 18:1

Proverbs 15:8

Psalm 42:1

2 Corinthians 5:17 & Ezekiel 11:19

John 17:3 (of course)

Hebrews 11:1&6

Matthew 11:28-30

Romans 8:14-15

Romans 8:26-28

1 Corinthians 12:11-12

Hebrews 4:16, 7:25, 4:12-13

The TARDIS even makes an appearance as we learn:

Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 043

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Welcome your excellencies!

Thank you, Michael, river boat Mike, and California Dave for your recent donations.

Thanks you and others we have distributed 50 “The Foundation Blocks of Biblical Prayer.”

We also welcome officially, Canada, The United Kingdom, and the Philippines. (Y’all have been here a long while, but we have just begun to acknowledge our listeners.)

The answer to the question “Does God need our prayers?” Culminates in the glorious truth, that in His mysterious will, God does not need us but He conendsends to appoint us as ambassadors for Christ!

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.?

2 Corinthians 5:20

We cover briefly how and why ambassadors get their jobs, the trust they are given, and the responsibility they have to the king who sent them.

Then through Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement (it may be worth the listen to hear my pronunciation of those names.) we see the duty, glory excellency, and privilege of being ambassadors to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 42

Donation link:

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Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Today, we give mad props to our listeners in South Africa (that's a good thing!). After that, we discuss:

"The Prayer Warrior's Journal" was born from an effort to set fire to my worship in prayer. Conviction also came from a fuller worship. I was convicted that I was ignoring three very specific prayer requests from the most important person in my life: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You can find out exactly, if not exhaustively, where God asks us to pray for the spread of the gospel, our spiritual leaders, and our dreaded (at times) governmental leaders in today's episode.

As in all things, the Bible guides us even in our prayers so we might fulfill,

Matthew 6:33

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. 34 "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 41

(If you're sad, confused, and unsure what the Lord is doing in your life right now, this is the episode for you.)

Donation link:

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Thank you, Ireland, for listening, and we are thanking David, Michael, and Mr. Or Mrs anonymous for your recent donations.

I know what you are going to say. I do, and not because I am clairvoyant, not sure if that is a word, I think I heard it in a Bugs Bunny cartoon, but because God tells us how He works in His word.

I know what you are going to say. I really do, before you say it, and no matter how sad you might be in this moment, or have been for a long season, how empty you may be feeling, and how dark your circumstances are, I do know what you are going to say.

I don't know when, but I do know what you are going to say.

As Moses says in Exodus 5:22

"Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why hast Thou brought harm to this people? Why didst Thou ever send me? 23 "Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy name, he has done harm to this people; and Thou hast not delivered Thy people at all."

For several years, I prayed similarly;

"Turn Thy gaze away from me, that I may smile again, Before I depart and am no more."

Psalm 39:13

Our so what?

Because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, one day you will smile again and say:

"Who is like Thee among the gods, O LORD? Who is like Thee, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders? 12 "Thou didst stretch out Thy right hand, The earth swallowed them.

Exodus 15:11

Such is our God; take heart in the midst of sorrow, and you will rejoice when God brings you the victory you need.

O satisfy us in the morning with Thy lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad according to the days Thou hast afflicted us, And the years we have seen evil. 16 Let Thy work appear to Thy servants, And Thy majesty to their children.

Psalm 90:14-16 (Moses)

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 40

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Anything and everything in life worth doing begins as a discipline before it produces intrinsic joy.

Prayer is the same. It takes time, effort, and dedication to learn to truly commune with Holy God during our sojourn on earth.

I guarantee little on the podcast because God works in mysterious ways. His will is not set before us in an a, b, c fashion. Our relationship and Christian life are dynamic because our God is dynamic.

Our so what:

One thing I guarantee is that as we are dedicated to prayer and drawing near to God, the discipline of prayer will become the delight of our souls.

Even the agonizing prayer of the bondslave of Colossians 4, who was “always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.” Colossians 4:12

"Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it."

Psalm 37:4-5

Thank You, Jesus!

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 39

Donation link:

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Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

God tells us in Romans that all men, through the created universe and our moral consciences, that there is a creator God. As creatures, we cannot fully understand our Creator. We are further hindered in our apprehension of God by our fallen nature.

The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to us.

We would not know He could be to us, as David says, “Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.”

Psalm 54:4, unless He revealed it to us.

Today, we meditate on

The Father:

“I Love Thee, O LORD, my strength.” 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:1-3

The Son:

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. 3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

John 15: 1-5

The Holy Spirit”

“For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:10-16

So What

Ponder for ourselves what a marvelous refuge our God is. Our strength and refuge are from the Father. Our power and leading are from the Son. Finally, our understanding of His word is by the Holy Spirit.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 38

Donation link:

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Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Before we get to the privilege and blessings of using our Spiritual gifts in the body of the true church of Christ, we look one last time at whether or not God needs our Prayers.

Biblically, as we have mentioned before, our actual plumb line or correct code, in the present idiom, is the Holy word of God alone.

Sampling from the various and sundry ways God gives us proper perspective, we examine 4 passages today.

1.. Did God need Israel?

"…The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."

Deuteronomy 7:6-8

2. Did God need Elijah?

"…Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him…"

1 Kings 19:15-19

3. Does God need what we have?

"…I shall take no young bull out of your house, Nor male goats out of your folds. 10 "For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. 11 "I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine. 12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all it contains…"

Psalm 105:7-15

4. Did God need Paul?

"…What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice…"

Philippians 1:15-18

The whole Bible testifies of the self-sufficiency of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

There was nothing intrinsic to Israel, Elijah, anyone on earth, nor the Apostle Paul which God Almighty, Immortal, Invisible Creator of the universe them, has any need of.

One of the principles of the calling of God is expressed by Paul:

"For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me."

1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Beloved, we have the great privilege of being called to work for the Kingdom and the spread of the Kingdom. And we will look at the remarkable kindness of our callings, but today:

Our so what?

God does not need us, yet He has appointed us as ambassadors for Christ, an honor, privilege, and responsibility.

Our duties?

Use the gifts we have been given with diligence, passion, and great thanksgiving, relying on His word, power, and direction to be servants, being faithful if it is 10, 5, or 1 in number.

Thank You, Jesus!

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 37

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

We are back to the paddock and to look at the question, "Does God need our prayers?"

We began with "Truths to Ponder."

Discussed our need to "rightly divide the word of God."

Today, we examine the dangers of assigning to God any motivation He has not expressly stated in His word.

His thoughts are not our thoughts:

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

And for the infinite ignorance we have of all He has not declared to us, we have:

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law."

Deuteronomy 29:29

Of what we do know:

He does everything for His own glory.:

"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. 11 "For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another."

Isaiah 48:8-11

His love for His creation motivated our redemption.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

John 3:16

Our So What:

Boldly, with confidence and authority, we proclaim all that is plain in the Scriptures.

We are to humbly put our confidence in His character in what has not been revealed. His character is perfect, wise, eternal, infinite, all-knowing, all-powerful, and always good.

In both, we tell the nations what God has done for our souls.\

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 36

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

When we have those days, we need to remember His promises.

(Another reason to know His word.)

When Jacob left his family, God made him several promises. Jacob's response (unbelievable to me) was if You do what You say, then you can be my God.

By the time he came home, he had changed. Hearing Esau and 400 of his men were coming, he humbled himself and prayed, not daring yet to call Yahweh his God; he did call out to the God of promise, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac, he confessed his fear, and harkened (good word there) back to the promise God had made asking for safety.

We have "those" days or seasons to foster humility, faith, and reliance on the will and character of God Almighty.

Our so what?

If we want to present to God a heart of wisdom, we learn, rehearse, and remind ourselves of the promises of God daily.

"'Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever."

Hebrews 13:7

"Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "'I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," WHAT SHALL MAN DO TO ME?'"

Hebrews 13:5

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 35

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

At first blush, no one likes it when we have “one of those days.” However, we need “those days” because the general nature of our sin is thinking we are the center of everything going on.

Throughout history, one wag, or several wags, put it something like this: Every person is the hero of their own life.

What God calls us to is:

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself;”

Philippians 2:3

For King David, his great season from 2 Samuel 2 began when all Israel submitted, and he was challenged and insulted. He defeated his challengers and took over the City of David, the stronghold (Jerusalem). He was gifted a house and started sinning like the tyrants around him. Then, the “Philistines” came and gave David one of those challenging days. He held up, then prayed, then fought and won, then gave God the glory, declaring:

“So David came to Baal-perazim, and defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim.”

2 Samuel 5:20

“Those days” lead us to run back to God and ask Him to break through for us, resulting in our peace and safety and our humility as we give God the glory He is due.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 34

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

We are again back in the paddock, looking at the real-time issue of God's "need" for us.

For the first 6:59 of this episode, we celebrate our increased dialogue and our first listener donations.

After the 6:59 minutes of celebration, we begin to lay the groundwork in our Biblical evidence that God does not "need" our prayers. Still, He gives us (and rewards us) the eternal, joyful privilege of service in His kingdom.

We begin with our shared mandate of "rightly dividing the word of God."

Paul tells us:

"Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth."

2 Timothy 2:14-15

Peter agrees:

"And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."

Our So What?

We are called to follow the noble Bereans' example, diligently study the word of God, and be discerning as we hear or read what teachers tell us.

Next time we will see, Biblically, God tells us He does not "need" us.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 33

We begin a new feature on the podcast, Real-Time Issues in Prayer. It is one of the ways we have become more interactive. All who listen have questions or comments so that we can consider them in the real-time thread.

We now have three ways to contact us with your thoughts:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com,

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

and responses to our questions on Spotify

We begin with a thought that seems to be in the present-day zeitgeist: "Does God really need our prayers?"

In our introductory episode, we present eight concepts to ponder before jumping into the question's details.

There is presently a complete discussion of our introduction on the website. www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com.

Concepts to Ponder:

A. What drives us to prayer is good.

B. We miss the depth of the Christian life when we don't listen and talk to God.

C. God is always working for our earthly and eternal good - the Character of Jesus our Savior.

D. God's children, despite our paths, will always be drawn to the voice and word of our Good Shepherd.

E. We need warning in our Christian lives on earth.

F. The main reason we pray is our relationship with God.

Meditate on these concepts. We introduced them in the episode "Does God Need our Prayers?" The Free Range Preacher on Prayer podcast will take time and leave time for meditation on these concepts. There will be much less disappointment, frustration, and satisfaction once we grasp the concepts that God does not need our prayers, and the commands of God are never meaningless.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 032

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

In examining the question, "What is Prayer?" We accidentally learn why we pray.

Even though no Biblical person asks why we pray? Their lives reveal our anguished need for prayer.

We are sinners. Until glory, we struggle with sin. Prayer is the act of faith that assures our soul.

We are complex lonely beings, and prayer brings us into the arms of our heavenly Father, who knows us, holds us, and comforts us.

Some of my favorite prayers:

Hannah, 1 Samuel 1.

Fathers calling out for their children, Mark 9, Matthew 9, Luke 7.

A roofing job, Mark 2
,

Psalm 39, Psalm 42

The woman who touched Jesus' robe, Luke 8.

Scriptures referenced:

Luke 18:1

Proverbs 15:8

Psalm 42:1

2 Corinthians 5:17 & Ezekiel 11:19

John 17:3 (of course)

Hebrews 11:1&6

Matthew 11:28-30

Romans 8:14-15

Romans 8:26-28

1 Corinthians 12:11-12

Hebrews 4:16, 7:25, 4:12-13

The TARDIS even makes an appearance as we learn:

Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 0.31

Donation link:

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Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Today began as a sad, bewildering day for the podcast's principal. My fleshly mind and inner man battled all morning over going to church.

The Holy Spirit won.

We had a guest preacher who immediately drew me in, confessing he listens to (reads) primarily dead men.

By the end of the sermon, God's providential timing, Psalm 25, and my prayers came together in perfect union, bringing me the joy and peace I needed this morning.

We pray for our devotional Psalm 25.

The Psalmist reflects the cry of my heart:

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon my affliction and my trouble, And forgive all my sins. 19 Look upon my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with violent hatred."

Psalm 25:16-19

The Psalmist begins:

"To Thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in Thee I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me."

Psalm 25:1-2

The Holy Spirit comforts with:

"Guard my soul and deliver me; Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in Thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for Thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all his troubles."

Psalm 25:20-22

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 30

Donation link:

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Spiritual Fathers:

"I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning."

1 John 2:13

We get hints about the "possible" content of fathers in the faith?

"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19 And I urge you all the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner."

Hebrews 13:15-19

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men."

Philippians 2:3-7

We have the content of Jesus' prayer."

"I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do. 5 "And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.

17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth."

John 17:3-5, 17, 19

Our so what?

Children in the faith pray as a child; young men in the faith pray as young men, remembering as fathers, we will be much less concerned with what we see, for that is temporal, but with what we cannot see, for that is eternal. 

Gratitude.

Humility.

God's glory. 

And our calling in this life. (Set apart - Sanctified according to His word.)

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 029

Donation link:

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Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Using 1 John 2:12-14, we discuss the general stages of maturity, children, young men, and fathers. 

We have seen examples of my childish prayers, and then we say the critical need to ask God to teach us His word in our younger maturity; today we see fathers, or spiritually mature, know most intimately the Father.

It takes maturity to obey the most daunting call of God in our lives, Abraham, and we see, once again, Paul's testimony. 

"For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day."

2 Timothy 1:12

Oh, to know God by experience and our long walk, what a joy that will be. 

Having Paul's confidence is the pinnacle of our abundant life.

"And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent."

John 17:3

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 028

Donation link:

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Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Our website: www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com

Our first ever commercial… such as it is.

In the last several months, through the providence of others, I have been reminded of the first direction of my calling. 

That direction was the development of tools for fostering our prayer lives. That vision was for journals to spur us ahead. 

Today, we introduce the beta version of "The Foundational Blocks of Biblical Prayer. 

This journal will introduce us to the chief goal of our prayer lives, a brief history of my path in prayer, and then a guided look through the book of Psalms to spur and excite our community with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit our majestic Creator, Savior, and Comfort.

The beta version, either hard copy or pdf file, is now available. (with the final version to follow. 

The "Growth Level" suggested donation is 20 dollars, and the necessary contact information. 

The "bottom line Level" is a donation of any amount that will gain you the same. 

The "Reality? Level" If you believe "The Foundation Blocks of Prayer" might help you on your prayer path, contact us with the necessary information, and I will get one to you, PDF or hardcopy. 

We are not here for enterprise but to help in any way we can. The donations will help our desire to see the three journals finalized and make them into apps as the Lord leads. 

Prayers are appreciated more than I can express. 

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 027

Donation link:

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Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Back in the Paddock, examining what we can expect of our growing prayer lives.

We say the last episode on growth, John in 1 John 2 spiritually speaking, there are children, young men, and fathers. (The Biblical language here is inclusive. Both sexes are included in his exhortation and description.)

Today, we examine our "young men" phase in spiritual growth. 

We are reminded by Paul from 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 that we are empowered and gifted by the Holy Spirit with spiritual gifts. These gifts are given to every Christian to build up the Church in the spread of the gospel.

Everyone is called to serve in the Church regardless of who we are.

If young men or Christians who have matured past childhood are described this way:

"I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one." 1 John 2:13b and I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:14b.

We understand the knowledge of God's word for all His people. 

Then, our prayers should be occupied with learning and living out God's word. 

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16

"Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord." 1 Peter 2:1-3

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. 8 "By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." John 15:6-8

Our so what?

Whoever, however, and wherever you are serving the kingdom of God, we not only pray for fruit but for the power of God to give us more and more knowledge, discernment, and the exercise of His word. 

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 026

We begin a new feature on the podcast, Real-Time Issues in Prayer. It is one of the ways we have become more interactive. All who listen have questions or comments so that we can consider them in the real-time thread.

We now have three ways to contact us with your thoughts:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com,

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

and responses to our questions on Spotify

We begin with a thought that seems to be in the present-day zeitgeist: "Does God really need our prayers?"

In our introductory episode, we present eight concepts to ponder before jumping into the question's details.

There is presently a complete discussion of our introduction on the website. www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com.

Concepts to Ponder:

A. What drives us to prayer is good.

B. We miss the depth of the Christian life when we don't listen and talk to God.

C. God is always working for our earthly and eternal good - the Character of Jesus our Savior.

D. God's children, despite our paths, will always be drawn to the voice and word of our Good Shepherd.

E. We need warning in our Christian lives on earth.

F. The main reason we pray is our relationship with God.

Meditate on these concepts. We introduced them in the episode "Does God Need our Prayers?" The Free Range Preacher on Prayer podcast will take time and leave time for meditation on these concepts. There will be much less disappointment, frustration, and satisfaction once we grasp the concepts that God does not need our prayers, and the commands of God are never meaningless.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 025

Donation link:

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Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Welcome back…

We begin with an apology for the delay, and one because I gave some less than accurate information in the last episode.

So thank you for your patience, and Jesus did indeed rebuke John and Andrew when they spoke of calling down fire on an unwelcoming village. It seemed a gentle rebuke reminding them of the gentle nature of His kingdom. 

Today, we examine installment two in our examination of a "Growing" prayer life. 

We expect growth, and we need to understand God longs to hear from us, no matter how inadequate our words seem in our ears. 

We look at an early lesson in a child (remember 1 John 2, Children, Young Men, and Fathers?) like prayer and letting others keep you by their opinions from the throne room of the King immortal. 

Wherever you are in your prayer life, don't let others torpedo your prayer life. Keep on talking to God. 

He is in control of your spiritual maturity 

He is in control of your growth, 

The Holy Spirit is an expert at convicting us of the things that we need to change our lives.

Pray most naturally to you at this moment, and let Him do His job. He is, most of the time, much gentler than our fellow travelers. 

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 024

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Our tagline for the last five years is not to encourage, exhort, and perhaps educate (a little) on the type of prayer life that lifts our affections to the abundant life and glorifies God. 

Today, we look to the apostle John for the Biblical stages he gives us in spiritual growth in general, and then apply those stages to prayer. 

John outlines in John 2:12-14 we are spiritual children, young men, and fathers.

The prayer of children (spiritually) might include the following:

"And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"

Luke 9:54

"Or when they asked to sit at the right hand and left hand of God."

Matthew 20:23

The prayer of young men (spiritually) might include:

Paul prayed for boldness and the right words as he preached the gospel everywhere. 

Ephesians 6:19-20

The prayer of spiritual fathers (spiritually) might include:

Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth."

John 17:17

Our "So What?"

New at prayer, blurt out to God what is on your heart.

Growing prayer, pray for knowledge, power, and discernment to fulfill your spiritual gifts.

A father in prayer, prayer for the spiritual needs of others. 

Thank You, Jesus!

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 023

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

New web address! - www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com (long but memorable)

Today, we consider the questions asked in installment 1 of this episode:

What does it look like to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?

How can we love someone so much if we rarely or never interact, talk to, or converse with them?

The first is open-ended, and the second is rhetorical, but they are critical questions regarding our prayer lives. 

When we see the answer to the first, we are indeed brought into a new and loving relationship with God; the natural answer to the second is clear. 

We cannot truly love God with all of our beings if we do not know Him through sincere back-and-forth conversations.

Matthew 6:5-13 presupposes both the truth of our new friendship with God and the necessity of our sincere seeking Him in listening (His word) and talking (our prayers)

So What?

New? 

Start to talk to God with the twin ideas; you are in a real conversation with Him, and He is listening. Let your words flow from your heart, mind, and soul. 

Fits and starts? 

Start again, building on your conversation with a renewed vision of your relationship with Him. Have that truth move you to a consistent dialogue with the Almighty!

Love your prayer life?

Excel still more. Draw closer to Him in all sincerity, cherishing that you are experiencing more and more of Him in truth, and let that face-to-face time do God's work and shine as Moses did with the glow of His presence. 

Pray, Pray, Pray, my beloved brothers and sisters.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 022

Donation link:

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Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab

What is prayer? We expand our definition of prayer a little bit, for we do have a history together.

Prayer is talking to God, and thats how we begin.

It is talking to God, however, with the purpose of flowering our talks into conversation.

We consider two passages today, and two questions.

Our passages:

“And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.

John 17:3 (as always)

And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; 30 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ 31 “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:28-31

Our questions:

What does it look like to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?

How can we love someone so, if we rarely or never interact, or talk to or have a conversation with them.

You can share your answers or ponder them on your own the next time we will examine if these are ligament questions.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.frponprayer.com - (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 021

Donation link:

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Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Luke 5:16 tells us:

"But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray."

Why?

He is simply amidst all the activity, craving time with the Father.

At least part of "the joy set before Him," (He not only accomplishes His ministry, the payment for salvation) His eternal glory is once again realized.

"I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do. "And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was."

John 17:4-5

All this makes me think Jesus went out to pray because He loves to be in community, communion with the Father.

All who love God long for His presence's pure delight and highest good.

The next best thing to entering into the Master's joy in heaven is the euphoria of practicing His presence in constant prayer.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.frponprayer.com - (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 020

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

It doesn't matter where we begin to pray, but that we start to pray.

Gratitude alone will not sustain our prayer lives. Our needs will not maintain our prayers. Being told we ought to pray will not sustain our prayer lives.

The answer to those prayers is not the answer; our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is getting to know Him and knowing through His answers, Him, John 17:3.

I don't make promises very often, but I promise that as you develop and nurture your community with God, you will learn to know Him and experience the abundant life promised. You will know, even before heaven:

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, Psalm 27:4a

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;

I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Thy works.

Psalm 73:28

"Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways, As a nation that has done righteousness And has not forsaken the ordinance of their God. They ask Me for just decisions; they delight in the nearness of God.

Isaiah 58:2

Knowing Him means knowing the peace that passes all understanding, the God of all comfort, the absolute blessing of His loving discipline, and a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

All whose names are written in heaven begin to pray. Wherever you are now, stick to prayer all of your days; God calls us into His presence.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.frponprayer.com - (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 019

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

We have looked at the three main reasons, from my experience and observations, Christians begin to pray. We then asked:

Do you remember your first prayers?

Of the three reasons given:

Do you see any weaknesses in those prayers? (In the context of developing a consistent prayer life)

Which one was not like the others?

In this installment, we answer those questions.

1. Thanking Jesus for our salvation.

A. Very natural.

B. Very Biblical - Psalm 95:1-2

C. The weakness? While never going away, our gratitude becomes less urgent as time goes on.

2. We have a need.

A. Very natural - we know the one who meets our needs.

B. Very Biblical - Psalm 5:3

C. Weakness? If our prayers are not answered or answered quickly enough, we tend to look to other solutions, and our prayers drop away.

3. We are told to.

A. Very natural - we see others, hear others.

B. Very Biblical - Luke 18:1

C. Weakness? Of the three reasons, this one is the least motivating and not like the others. Gratitude and expressing our needs are indicative of our relationship with God.

Being told to out of or with little context comes across as cold, religious duty and can be done with little heart as we obey.

So What? (Overcoming those weaknesses)

The solution to all three (fleshed out in Installment 3) is John 17:3

life.

"And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent."

John 17:3

The overarching truth that draws our hearts, minds, and souls is that we are in a growing, Biblical, dynamic, sincere relationship with Almighty God, who created, redeemed, and sustains us for our good and His glory.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.frponprayer.com - (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 018

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

We want to look at the big picture of Biblical prayer.

When we begin with the parts of prayer, we usually set ourselves up for a longer and more difficult road to our growing, Biblical, dynamic, sincere, and soup-satisfying, God-glorifying prayer life.

I have observed three ways Christians typically begin to work on the art of prayer. Today, we see those ways are:

1. Gratitude for salvation.

2. We have a need.

3 Someone tells us we should.

We introduce these three common concepts and then ask three questions:

Do you remember your first prayers?

Can you see any weakness in any of these three reasons?

And which one is not like the others?

You are welcome to answer in the description on Spotify or through email at freerangeprayer@gmail.com or at www.frponprayer.com through email or voice mail.

In the next episode, we will answer those questions together.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.frponprayer.com - (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 017

Donation link:

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Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

We invite you to listen to what makes the Free Range Preacher on Prayer podcast an encouragement to prayer and how the ministry will expand to include prayer journals to remind us how to build a meaningful prayer life.

"Why this particular podcast on prayer?" That is the question we have been considering for the last three installments. It is a call back to the movement of God to make me desire to help God's people pray and enjoy fellowship with Him and enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised the sheep of His pasture. (John 10:10)

As we have had discussions with some new to the podcast and some with a long history with us, the podcast's focus has been sharpened. Still, more than that, we have been directed back to our original call to encourage and exhort God's people to a growing, Biblical, dynamic, and soul-satisfying God-glorifying prayer life.

Those conversations have also brought back to our focus the early thoughts of the very call of God, which was prayer helps, specifically a prayer journal. Marrying what I have learned from 1992 and including what I have learned since 2018.

The expansion of Free Range Ministries is the creation, modification, and refinement of helpful prayer journals.

In the months coming up, we will roll out the following:

"The Foundational Blocks of Biblical Prayer." New.

"The Foundational Prayer Primer" Revamped.

"The Prayer Warrior's Journal." Edited and updated.

All three will also include our testimony in developing a prayer life.

The goal of prayer:

"And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.

John 17:3

The excellency of prayer:

"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; 6 that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5-6

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.frponprayer.com - (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 016

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Why this particular podcast?

Have you ever been reading through the Bible or listening to a sermon And thought to yourself, Man, what a great life David or Barnabas, the apostle John, had? Perhaps even the "son of thunder," James? His life was very short, but what a great life. James lived by faith, and he lived it in power as well. Have you ever considered them and said, I wish I could experience God. And that same way.

If you have, that life is not beyond us as children of God.

When we think about the abundant life Jesus promised, we think of victory. Victory, joy, peace, and fulfillment in the inner man.

Those are all part of the abundant life. The question comes, how do we achieve that? Commitment to the word of God, our desire "to walk in a worthy manner," and a dedication to live as God has called us are critical to our abundant life.

Given an impossible task in Daniel 2, the magicians, the conjurers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans all reasoned and then chided the king for asking what no king had ever asked of them.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah went to find Daniel. What did they do then? Asked for some time to seek the one true God and find the answer the king had asked for. They then requested "compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery."

They could stay calm and seek what was a mystery because they knew the God of heaven and trusted Him.

What can genuinely carry us through our tribulations - Romans 5, to the peace which passes understanding, is knowing by our prayers and the word of God, who God is, what He cares for, and what He is doing.

Seeking to help God's people learn to listen to and hold community with Almighty God is the reason for this podcast.

As we are hurting, and we are hurt together, our refuge, bulwark, shield, the banner over our heads, our Shepherd, our comforter, but He is none of those things to our spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical selves if we don't talk to or listen to Him.

Our "so whats" for this episode? Please give us a listen and find out.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.frponprayer.com - (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 015

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Okay, a few days off did not help my mic discipline!

Having answered the question, Why a Podcast on Prayer? We now turn to Why this podcast?

The worst part of the pandemic for me was seeing the fear in people's eyes. Living in fear is no way to live. One encounter with a terrified young mother illustrates the same empathy your podcast principal has for God's people living without a close community with the God who gave us new life - That is the reason for "This podcast podcast on prayer."

"Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,"

Luke 18:1

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

Dialogue with us at:

www.frponprayer.com - (email or voice mail)

freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email)

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger)

Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.)

Spotify (leave a message)

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 014

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

In examining the question, "What is Prayer?" We accidentally learn why we pray.

Even though no Biblical person asks why we pray? Their lives reveal our anguished need for prayer.

We are sinners. Until glory, we struggle with sin. Prayer is the act of faith that assures our soul.

We are complex lonely beings, and prayer brings us into the arms of our heavenly Father, who knows us, holds us, and comforts us.

Some of my favorite prayers:

Hannah, 1 Samuel 1.

Fathers calling out for their children, Mark 9, Matthew 9, Luke 7.

A roofing job, Mark 2
,

Psalm 39, Psalm 42

The woman who touched Jesus' robe, Luke 8.

Scriptures referenced:

Luke 18:1

Proverbs 15:8

Psalm 42:1

2 Corinthians 5:17 & Ezekiel 11:19

John 17:3 (of course)

Hebrews 11:1&6

Matthew 11:28-30

Romans 8:14-15

Romans 8:26-28

1 Corinthians 12:11-12

Hebrews 4:16, 7:25, 4:12-13

The TARDIS even makes an appearance as we learn:

Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 013

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

After some evaluation and review, we begin season 6 of the Free Range Preacher on Prayer podcast, asking, ç

Having discussed our long conversation about prayer, which answers the question, "Why listen to a podcast exclusively about prayer? We lay out our goals for the coming year:

1. A more organic mix of episodes to meet our goal:

"Exhort, encourage, and God's people of prayer.".

2. The episodes will be better organized.

3. Contain a perspective I did not have in 2018.

4. It sounds much better than when we began.

5. Real-time discussions about prayer issues.

5 Shorter and more episodes a week.

6. Encourage our conversation together.

7 A more consistent application and exhortations for everyone who listens.

Easier ways to contact us., including:

Q&A in the Spotify Description.

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

You can email us at www.frponprayer.com, leave a voicemail, and sign up for updates.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

Season 006

Episode 0012

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

After some evaluation and review, we begin season 6 of the Free Range Preacher on Prayer podcast, asking, "Why listen to a podcast exclusively about prayer?

Good question for two reasons:

There are many places to learn about prayer.

You can read books, listen to sermons, follow prayer movements, find articles, and find prayer helps, such as journals (paper or electronic [journals are going to be more of an integral part of the Free Range Ministries.])

Of course, the most natural way to learn prayer is our daily active reading and study of God's word, but as you will hear or have heard, if that was as easy as it sounds, God's people would not have the trouble in prayer we have.

As God's children, we forget or get overwhelmed and need reminders, exhortations, encouragement, and conversation to fuel our souls to converse with God.

"And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Matthew 26:40-41

Secondly, what else may keep us motivated?

The Free Range Preacher on Prayer is an extended conversation (more than 500 episodes).

Through shorter, more frequent episodes, along with increased dialogue with each other, more dynamic topics, and an increase in offering of "prayer helps" in a podcast on prayer, we get help in our prayer lives in a way the other mediums cannot serve.

We invite you to our extended conversation on communion between God and His chosen ones.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 0011

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

A simple prayer of Thanksgiving.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 0010

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

David asks, who will do us any good? Yahweh, our Creator, Redeemer, and Holy power, will always do us good. Therefore, we worship and give thanks as we lie down and sleep, knowing His abundant goodness and Favor for a lifetime.

"Many are saying, 'Who will show us any good?' Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, O LORD! 7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. 8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For Thou alone, O LORD, dost make me to dwell in safety."

Psalm 4:6-8

"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself *would not contain the books which *were written."

John 21:25

"Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name. 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning."

Psalm 30:4-5

Eternal gratitude is given "to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."

1 Timothy 1:17

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 009

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Appreciating God for who He is and what He has done is a critical characteristic of the child of God. Even the term "child of God" carries the weight of being needy and humble.

Humility born of gratitude:

Squarely gives God the glory due Him and moves our souls to rest in our trust in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is suitable for our soul to be thankful as we throw ourselves onto the mercies of Holy God.

He is Holy, compassionate, and acts in mercies.

"Care and grief do us good and no hurt when they set us a-praying, and engage us, not only to speak to God, but to cry to Him, as those that are in earnest."

Matthew Henry

"But Thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about."

Psalm 3:3-6

Stop with me for a few minutes and consider how sweet it is to cry out earnestly to God and rest like a child in His faithfulness.

Sometimes, I would have kept beloved friends and my babies escape from care, grief, and troubles. God is merciful, though, to show me the abundant satisfaction that comes when forced to draw near Him amid distress. I would be a most terrible friend, especially Dad if I shielded my beloved from those care, grief, and troubles designed by God to humble and force them to draw close to Him.

Learning God is our shield through what He takes us through is the most potent satisfaction to our souls.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 008

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

"Neighbors are kind, I love them everyone

We get along in sweet accord

But when my soul, needs manna from above

Where could I go but to the Lord?"

So goes the hymn "Where Could I Go but to the Lord."

Who do we go to when we need protection. There is a long list of illustrative word pictures in the Scripture. All are as graphic as David's cry:

He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark."

Psalm 91:4

Brothers and sisters, let us ever trust and have peace. As Martin Luther would say, we have "A bulwark never failing."

What a reason for gratitude!

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 007

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

The Apostle Paul is our example, and as you have read, he is continually giving thanks for everyone he knows or has heard who are in Christ.

Christians he has never met:

"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you."

Romans 1:8-10

Christians, he is about to chew out:

"I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,"

1 Corinthians 1:4

Churches Paul started, and has heard they are thriving."

"For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him."

Ephesians 1:15-17

Christians he knows and loves.

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now."

Philippians 1:3-5

And so today, we pray for one another in gratitude for you all and God's miraculous work.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 006

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

As I listened to a sermon by Alistair Begg, I realized his thoughts on our primary responses to Jesus Being the Bread of Life (very edifying sermons) were a perfect summary of the fallback positions we discussed. His thoughts on our response to the truth,

"I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst," uttered by Jesus, were:

Thanksgiving.

Prayer.

Security.

Humility.

Alistair Begg's

When we may feel anything but thankful, and we know not why, we can forever and will forever be grateful for God's mercies and grace to give us:

An eternal gift.

An eternal relationship.

An eternal security.

An eternal reason for humility.

"What more can we say?"

Thankfulness for the truth will carry us through the deepest waters, hottest fires, raging floods, and the sorrows we endure.

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:17

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 005

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Fallback positions of faith, are keys to our confidence in Christ, confidence in our God as we from those fallback positions, the places we fallback to when we need rest and to regather our plans in Christ.

Today we look at the seminal nature of gratitude for our greatest gift.

Mark 8 recounts Jesus’ declaration of the eternal importance of reconciliation with the Almighty.

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 “For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:36-37

The precious gift granted to us by the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost working in union for our redemption, is further declared inestimable, when Jesus tells us through the word of God:

“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

Luke 10:20

Life has it’s up and downs, so what are we to do when we are down and feel we have little or no reason for thankfulness?

Rejoice, shout with the voice of thanksgiving, that “your names are recorded in heaven.”

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 004

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Fallback reason for gratitude to God part three.

Over the years, in the seasons, I struggled with being sad and wondering about the will of God. I found myself not thinking I had much to thank God for. Realistically, I had nothing to thank God for. As foolish as that was, I needed to develop some fallback positions from which I could, by faith, give God thanks.

The first of those peaceful, safe positions of faith and hope was thanking God for what He was about in the lives of my loved ones. The second position of gratitude can be summed up in the phrase: "It is better to have been born than not to have been born. It is a tricky proposition but a genuine reason to be thankful.

And only when we as children of God pray in the deep humility David had for his Creator:

"If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night," 12 Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee. 13 For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. 14 I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from Thee, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth."

Psalm 139:11-15

Can we then go on in complete sincerity to say:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way."

Psalm 139:23-24

If you do not believe, that humble prayer of gratitude to your Creator, whom you do not know yet, maybe that first step to abundant, eternal life:

"And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent."

John 17:3

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 003

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Remembering the first time I said to myself in a sermon, "How did that pastor know what I was thinking?" After an exhaustive look at the Christian reasons for thanksgiving, John MacArthur said if you don't feel any gratitude right now in your life, surely you have loved ones, and you have reason to be thankful to God for how He works in their lives.

Wow, that became one of my "fallback" positions. Even if I was so glum that I had nothing to be thankful for (an unwarranted feeling), I moved to be grateful for His work in the lives of the people I love.

Some reasons we need to be reminded of our gratitude to the Holy God are:

We are forgetful, live-in-the-moment creatures, and if not reminded, the troubles of the moment will drown out all that we have to be thankful for.

In those moments, when we do not "feel" gratitude, we can give a sacrifice (a simple act of obedience in faith) for He is good, wise, and sovereign and working out all things for our best and His glory.

Proverbs 16:33

The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

Job 42:2

"I know that Thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted."

Luke 11:13

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

Matthew 6:8

"Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.

Romans 16:27

to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

In our deepest sorrows, we can fall back and wholeheartedly give thanks for His work in those we love.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 002

Season 6!

Thank You, Jesus!

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

I am glad to be back in the paddock where we can begin our sixth season of the Free Range Preacher on Prayer, and we do so appropriately with a few episodes of gratitude.

Our call to be a thankful family is a universal call. Today, we look at the Biblical mandate to be thankful:

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

Romans 1:18-21

(God's wrath is at least partly because His creation is not thankful or even acknowledging Him.)

"Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

(We are called to gratitude in "everything" as it is His will for us in Christ.)

"O LORD, Thou hast brought up my soul from Sheol; Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 4 Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name.

11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; 12 That my soul may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to Thee forever."

Psalm 30:3-4 and 11-12

(We are saved from the pit, even for eternity, and He turns all our sorrows into gladness so that our souls cannot be silent but always shouting our recognition of His mercies.)

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 006

Episode 001

Donation link:

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Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Throughout the ages, the Holy Spirit has been consistent in the critical nature of prayer.

As it turns out, J.C. Ryle, in his last paragraph of "A Call to Prayer," reflects the purpose of "The Free Range Preacher on Prayer," podcast so we will listen to the last witness in this book.

"I want the times we live in to be praying times. I want the Christians of our day to be praying Christians. I want the church to be a praying church. My heart's desire and prayer in sending forth this tract is to promote a spirit of prayerfulness. I want those who never prayed yet, to arise and call upon God, and I want those who do pray, to see that they are not praying amiss."

We also hear from Martin Luther speaking of our personal need for prayer, Jonathan Edwards on the churches' need for prayer, and Andrew Murray on evangelism's need for prayer. We finish in reading John Calvin, exhorting us to learn worship and prayer through the book of Psalms.

"Or rather, the Holy Spirit has here drawn … all the griefs, sorrows, fears, doubts, hopes, cares, perplexities, in short, all the distracting emotions with which the minds of men are wont to be agitated. The other parts of Scripture contain the commandments which God enjoined his servants to announce to us. But here the prophets themselves, seeing they are exhibited to us as speaking to God, and laying open all their inmost thoughts and affections, call, or rather draw, each of us to the examination of himself in particular, in order that none of the many infirmities to which we are subject, and of the many vices with which we abound, may remain concealed. It is certainly a rare and singular advantage, when all lurking places are discovered, and the heart is brought into the light, purged from that most baneful infection, hypocrisy."

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 005

Episode 127

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Today, we will let the Bishop sum up the thrust of his advice.

"I offer these points for your private consideration. I do it in all humility. I know no one who needs to be reminded of them more than I do myself. But I believe them to be God's own truth, and I desire myself and all I love to feel them more."

J.C. Ryle

Of special note, his longing is for all he loves to know the truth and to feel the great need and joy from our call to prayer.

What has he commended to us?

1. Reverence and Humility

2. Praying Spiritually (help of the Holy Spirit)

3. Making Prayer a Regular Business.

4. Perseverance in Prayer

5. Earnestness in Prayer.

6. Praying in Faith.

7. Praying in Boldness.

8. Praying in Fulness.

9. Praying Particularity.

10. Intercession in Prayer.

11.. Thankfulness in Prayer.

12. Watchfulness in Prayer.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 005

Episode 126

What is the sweetest place on earth?

The difference between King Saul and King David made all the difference in their lives and effectiveness in what God had called them to do.

While Saul justified himself in the presence of Samual and in the eye of God, David humbled himself in honest, brutally honest repentance.

“If you will take care of your prayers, nothing shall go very wrong with your soul.”

J.C. Ryle

When we have an intimate friendship with our Savior, we will say things like:

4 "Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done what is evil in Thy sight, So that Thou art justified when Thou dost speak, And blameless when Thou dost judge.

6 Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom.

16 For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise."

Psalm 51:4,6, 16-17

“If you will take care of your prayers, nothing shall go very wrong with your soul.”

The sweetest place on earth in this life is at the feet of Jesus, crying out, "Have mercy, O God, on me a sinner, and knowing He has heard that prayer and restored us.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 005

Episode 125

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

What do you think when you know the ultimate commandment, the commandment Jesus came to give us access to, is to love him with all your heart, mind, and soul or with all your strength.

Today is a key in our watchfulness in prayer.

We might say the guarding or jealousy of our time with God.

J.C. Ryle will give us advice as to guarding the company we keep and what occupies our time and thoughts.

"Observe narrowly what friends and what employments leave your soul in the most spiritual frame, and most ready to speak with God."

J.C. Ryle

The Apostle Paul is an example to us, and his attitude is this:

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14-14

Then encourages us to:

"Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us."

Philippians 3:17

We should hold our precious time to walk in faith and to talk to our Savior in faith in high enough regard to be watchful of those things that might steal our devotion to our Savior.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 005

Episode 124

Donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64

Or go to www.frponprayer.com and use the Donations tab.

Christianity, Church, Community, Fellowship, whatever label we might put on our faith, true faith is not a club. So when J.C. Ryle says:

“Here is the pith and marrow of our practical Christianity. Sermons and books and tracts, and committee meetings and the company of good men, are all good in their way, but they will never make up for the neglect of private prayer.”

We understand true Christianity is our relationship with Almighty God.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Psalm 27:4&8

Psalm 30:6-7

John 13:33

John 15:3-5

John 17:3

And our most intimate call to fellowship with our Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter:

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries

Instagram: freerangeministries

All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram

Season 005

Episode 123