Copyright https://www.christianity.com 2025, Christianity.com Mon, 27 Jan 2025 02:16:34 -0500 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/5-reasons-we-avoid-prayer-and-4-prayers-that-will-change-your-life.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/5-reasons-we-avoid-prayer-and-4-prayers-that-will-change-your-life.html Dr. Kenneth Boa and Cameron McAllister https://www.christianity.com/author/dr-kenneth-boa/ Martin Luther once said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend three hours in prayer.” Prayer is often a tense subject among believers. For those of us who follow Jesus, we know we ought to be doing a lot more of it, but it never seems to make the list of top priorities. When our schedules are bulging with appointments and activities, prayer is often relegated to the back burner. However, if prayer truly involves communion with our Maker, our hearts will wither without it. Though we may give intellectual ascent to this conviction, in practice, few of us seem to believe it. Why is something so essential so easy to ignore? 5 Reasons We Avoid Prayer1. The Illusion of Control A significant part of the modern world revolves around control. In his massive survey of our contemporary world, A Secular Age, Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor points out that it’s difficult for most of us to see a world untouched by human ingenuity. Whether in our homes or out and about, a good deal of what we see are human artifacts—vehicles, power lines, buildings, and so on. For many, the night sky is filled with light pollution, not to mention airplanes, satellites, and drones, all of which compete with the stars. Taylor is no Luddite and he’s not railing against technology per se. What he is saying, however, is that it’s far from neutral. When our field of vision is largely filled with the scenery of our own making, it tends to mislead us into thinking that we’re in control.  It’s this default assumption of human control that leads many of us to see prayer as a last resort. We turn to it when we’ve run out of options. When all of the experts—doctors, lawyers, politicians, etc.—have failed us, we turn to the God we supposedly worship as Lord of all. It’s a sobering thought. 2. DistractionsBlaise Pascal warned that two of the most significant obstacles that we face are indifference and diversion. Pascal had in mind the world of gambling that was so rampant in his day, but it’s safe to say that our 21st-century world has only exacerbated the problem. From smartphones and similar devices to the increasingly customized nature of today’s entertainment, it’s hard to overstate just how distracted most of us are. Consequently, many of us miss out on our devotions for the same reason that we, say, ignore the people who are sitting right in front of us, whether friends or family. If we want to make a habit of prayer, we need to minimize distractions in our lives.Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Matheus Bertelli Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:16:34-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-does-the-bible-say-about-apostolic-succession.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-does-the-bible-say-about-apostolic-succession.html Lisa Loraine Baker https://www.christianity.com/author/lisa-loraine-baker/ Apostolic succession is the belief that bishops embody apostolic authority through an uninterrupted and unbroken lineage from the original Apostles. Fri, 24 Jan 2025 10:50:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:16:34-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/who-is-the-bird-of-prey-in-the-book-of-isaiah.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/who-is-the-bird-of-prey-in-the-book-of-isaiah.html Britt Mooney https://www.christianity.com/author/britt-mooney/ Since the Bible expresses eternal truth from another realm, one unlike our own, the inspired writers use symbol and story to take images and situations from our world to give hints about the kingdom. God chooses to reveal himself in these ways for various reasons. At times, this frustrates us. Our brains like easy solutions. Symbols and stories challenge our thinking and require us to seek out heavenly revelation to get the point. The disciples showed this frustration with Jesus (Matthew 13:10, John 16:29). And yet the Bible remains full of such images signifying deeper meaning. Good writing does this since all great stories use details to connect with deeper or universal feelings or truths. The Bible includes these for the same reason: to point us to God and what he wants to say. One common symbol throughout Scripture is birds. And in Isaiah 46:11, the prophet refers to a “bird of prey” to poetically address a specific situation and God’s action within it.Photo credit: Unsplash/Kea Mowat Fri, 24 Jan 2025 09:45:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:16:34-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/videos/video-answers/is-anointing-biblical.html https://www.christianity.com/videos/video-answers/is-anointing-biblical.html Phylicia Masonheimer https://www.christianity.com/author/phylicia-masonheimer/ Anointing in the Bible is a topic that sparks diverse interpretations across Christian traditions. From its Old Testament roots to its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, discover how anointing reflects God's grace, favor, and calling—and what it means for your life today. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:16:34-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-the-best-way-to-read-the-bible-in-a-year.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-the-best-way-to-read-the-bible-in-a-year.html Mike Leake https://www.christianity.com/author/mike-leake/ Reading the entire Bible in a year can feel overwhelming, but with the right plan and a clear purpose, it’s completely doable—and deeply rewarding. This article dives into practical tips, flexible strategies, and the ultimate goal: encountering God through His Word. Whether you’re starting January 1st or today, this guide will help you make every moment count. Wed, 22 Jan 2025 14:05:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:16:34-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/what-is-the-significance-and-symbolism-of-fire-in-the-bible.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/what-is-the-significance-and-symbolism-of-fire-in-the-bible.html Joel Ryan https://www.christianity.com/author/joel-ryan/ Fire is one of the oldest and most powerful forces of nature in the world. On the one hand, fire has been used to warm homes, cook meals, forge tools, and provide light to millions of people around the world. On the other hand, an untamed wildfire can devastate entire cities and landscapes, leaving behind desolation where there was once natural beauty and life. For this reason, fire has provided inspiration for countless metaphors and symbols over the years. This includes the Bible, which is no stranger to the significance and symbolism of fire. But what does fire mean in Scripture? Here are a few examples.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Javier_Art_Photography Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:55:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:16:34-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/how-were-old-testament-saints-saved-11555477.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/how-were-old-testament-saints-saved-11555477.html Hank Hanegraaff Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:16:34-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/does-god-send-disasters-as-punishment.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/does-god-send-disasters-as-punishment.html Andrew Farley https://www.christianity.com/author/andrew-farley/ Have you ever wondered if 2 Chronicles 7:14 applies to us today? Many misinterpret this verse, thinking it ties modern disasters to our failures. This article unpacks its true meaning in the light of God’s grace and the New Covenant, offering a refreshing perspective on forgiveness and blessings in Christ. Tue, 21 Jan 2025 13:30:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:16:34-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/whats-the-difference-between-an-apostle-and-a-disciple.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/whats-the-difference-between-an-apostle-and-a-disciple.html Lisa Loraine Baker https://www.christianity.com/author/lisa-loraine-baker/ Every apostle is a disciple, but not every disciple is an apostle. Tue, 21 Jan 2025 08:40:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:16:34-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/videos/video-answers/4-quick-tips-to-better-understand-the-bible.html https://www.christianity.com/videos/video-answers/4-quick-tips-to-better-understand-the-bible.html Alicia Searl https://www.christianity.com/author/alicia-searl/ Struggling to connect with God’s Word? Discover the 4 R’s—Read, Respond, Reflect, React—that make digesting Scripture simple and impactful. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting, these practical tips will help you grow closer to God and live out His truth every day! Tue, 21 Jan 2025 08:30:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:16:34-05:00