08/04/2021 – A Book Study Possibility: “Pray Big” by Alistair Begg
I am thinking we will start “Master Plan of Evangelism” by Dr. Robert E. Coleman, on the week of August 29th. Maybe as Alistair recommends for this book: One chapter a week, right around 10 pages so we can spend most of our week referencing scripture and praying our reflections. Your ISBN reference for this book is: 9781784983369. We’ll see if we start this one as well, let’s pray on it.
Two recommendations off the inside cover from two Christian warriors that have guided me over the years , as messengers for the Holy Spirit:
“When we get to heaven, we will finally understand how our smallest and most feeble prayers advanced Christ’s kingdom in ways we never dreamed. At that point, I don’t want to whine, ‘Bother! Why didn’t I pray bigger?’ The book is your best guide to offering up larger-than-life prayers through which God delights to work!” Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder, Joni and Friends International Disability Center
“For most of us, the discipline of prayer is the hardest one to master. That means we need more motivation and more instruction to strengthen our resolve. I am thankful that Alistair provides both for us in Pray Big. Here is a book that can reignite your heart in prayer.”
John MacArthur, Pastor, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California; President, The Master’s Seminary
“As the nineteenth-century Scottish preacher Robert Murray M’Cheyne reputedly, and memorably, put it: What a man is on his knees before God, that he is, and nothing more. “ pg 1 – Introduction
Alistair references many bible verses across the book but he notes on page 14 that he is going to focus on Ephesians Chapter 1: 15-23 and Ephesians Chapter 3: 14 – 21. “He’s writing to the church in Ephesus from prison.(through the joy and selflessness that saturate his prayers give no indication of his own predicament) And by explaining what he is praying for them, he’s setting them an example for their own prayers – and for ours. The truths that underpin and shape his prayers will motivate us to pray and they will help us know what to say.
But whatever you do and however you use this book be praying that you would pray like Paul – because Paul was a great praye-er. He was confident, he was committed , and he ws humble and bold and compassionate. He clearly enjoyed prayer, and was excited about it. He expected his Father in heaven to hear what he said and to act in other people’s lives accordingly. He prayed and then was ‘watchful in it with thanksgiving’ (Colossians 4:2) ready to see how God would be pleased to answer his prayers.
Paul prayed big prayers because he believed great things. Let’s learn from him how we might do the same.” pgs 14-15
So, we can see that this ties to “The Master Plan of Evangelism.” Prayer is both a prerequisite and corequisite with evangelism. And Paul taught from Jesus’ example, he “discipled to convert” instead of “converting to disciple”, leading by example.
Soli Deo Gloria! Join us…