Worship always gets elevated with music. Whether we can sing in tune or not, we can all benefit immensely from singing to God with enthusiasm. What is it about singing in worship that God values so much?

You may not fully realize it, but God has already provided answers to this question in the Bible.

Here are five powerful reasons God loves for us to sing in worship:

In the Bible, singing is not just a suggestion. It’s actually a directive from God:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19)

God’s people are not only invited to sing; God also commands us to do so. It is one of the many expressions of worship that He has graced us to enjoy, and when we do, we are fulfilling God’s command!

True obedience, deep roots in the Word, encouraging others, fighting Satan and sin, persevering, and finding delight in God bring honor to God, which is everyone’s primary objective and purpose.

Singing has a special way of pulling together your heart, soul, mind, and strength to focus wholly and completely on God. In an age of distraction, singing captures all of our senses and directs our attention to God.

As Colossians 3 tells us, we are instructed to allow the Word of Christ to inhabit us richly, and one way is to sing in worship. 

The Apostle Paul invites us to let God’s Word dwell entirely in us, and then he informs us how to put that mandate into practice—by teaching and singing!

Singing is one of the two primary ways God’s Word richly resides in us.

Singing is a command, but there is a promise attached to this command: If we do as the Word says, we are assured that the Word of Christ will dwell in us richly, which is what we should desire as believers.

We often think of singing solely when we’re pleased and things are going well. However, Acts 16 mentions singing for strength in times of difficulty. What do Paul and Silas do while imprisoned unjustly for the sake of the Gospel? 

“But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26)

There was something about singing as a vehicle of Paul and Silas’ prayers that brought God’s very presence into that prison, loosening the bonds that held them. There is power in prayer and in worship, and the Bible shows us that worship amplifies that.

Some see the idea of serving their god as a burden, a strenuous obligation to fulfill out of fear and obedience. The wonderful news for Christians is that we serve a God who has made our burden light and who wants us to enjoy being in His presence, as well as the presence of fellow believers. 

Nearly every major celebration of life involves singing. Birthdays, bar mitzvahs, and weddings involve singing. These events typically use singing to celebrate the blessing of the subjects of the event, born out of joy for the occasion. 

Fellowship in God’s presence is also an occasion for celebration. We celebrate because He fills our hearts, minds, and lives with joy. Make a joyful noise to the Lord! (Psalm 100:1)

God instructed His people to write down His promises and hang them in their houses. These were to be reminders. The reason we need reminding is that we can be forgetful of what God has done, especially when we face difficult times.

A proven strategy for helping people remember details is by putting the information into songs. When we learn songs about God’s goodness and, especially when our children learn these songs, we create a lasting memory to encourage us when hard times hit us.

The Apostle John provides a glimpse of eternity in Revelation 7:9-10, when a vast multitude of people from every beautiful tribe, race, and language sing before the Lamb, 

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Eternity is waiting. Will you be among the enormous multitude that no one can count on that day, singing the Lamb’s song and shouting his praises? Singing is an integral part of our worship of God, and we are all invited to sing along.

Do you desire to grow in your own personal discipleship and walk with God? To help promote the Good News of Jesus Christ, Global Disciples trains local leaders in hard-to-reach areas. Contact us if you’d like to get involved with Jesus’ Great Commission to the unreached.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Discover the true meaning of repentance in prayer in the Christian faith. Find out how it can bring joy and freedom in your life.

Repentance is the key to connecting with God and finding a life of freedom. Repentance is about realizing that we do not have the strength within ourselves to live a holy life. That we will never be able to obtain that strength through our own means. And that we are all in need of Jesus Christ.

He DOES have that strength to help and He draws nears to us when we ask Him (Psalm 34:18).

You may wonder how we can start praying with an attitude of repentance.

Below is a brief outline that will hopefully help you approach prayer in a way that will change your life.

Ecclesiastes 5 tells us to approach God with few words and rather go before Him to listen than to speak. This is because we need to be aware that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

He is infinitely more loving, kinder, and trustworthy than we are.

Hearing what He has to say to us first allows us to receive instruction from the ultimate architect of creation. While God absolutely loves to hear our concerns, we are reminded that it is better to listen for His loving voice. Rather than beginning our prayers with a list of requests and demands, we listen for Him first

A preacher once wisely said that it is not so much each individual sin that we commit that needs to be listed in our prayer, but rather the much wider concept that we are sinful by nature.

In other words, rather than listing each sin committed throughout the last week, we can rather confess to God that our thoughts, actions, and emotions are naturally drawn towards the sinful and that we cry out for His help to be transformed in our thoughts and actions so that we can live more holy lives. Even the greatest missionary of all time struggled with sin (Romans 7:18-25) and cried out to God for help in living a pure life. 

When you think of repentance, you may imagine yourself whipping your back and beating yourself down about how sinful you are.

The good news is that repentance is much, much more joyful than that. Yes, our sin is horrific. Our tendency to do evil is to be despised. But the simple reason why repentance is more joyful than self-loathing is that your attention is on Christ’s perfection and forgiveness, rather than your own shortcomings.

The difference between the agony of loathing yourself and the joy of true repentance is that true repentance keeps your focus on God, not yourself. You are only a point of reference for seeing why God is worthy of our praise. You are not the focal point. Look to Him, and you will experience true joy and freedom!

The reason why focusing on Christ gives us a joyful perspective of repentance is because all of our sins, which come with a penalty of death, have ALREADY been paid for by the horrific death of the perfect, sinless messiah, Jesus Christ. His sacrifice paid for our sins (John 3:16).

The gift of Christ dying for our sins is a free gift. However, like any gift, it needs to be received. We are invited to accept the gift of Christ’s forgiveness, but until we receive it, it does not become part of our story. The key to accepting this gift is our own repentance. It is only by acknowledging our sin that we can see our need for a savior and embrace the gift of His salvation.

With a better understanding of what repentance is and how it applies to us, we can look at how we should pray. Jesus’ disciples asked him directly and he gave them a detailed prayer to use in Luke 11.

An important part of this prayer is the phrase “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

In order for our repentance to be effective, we need to choose to forgive others that have wronged us. Knowing that everybody has sinned and we are all in need of salvation can help us to forgive others. Forgiving others is not an emotion. We may be struggling with anger, bitterness, or disgust at how someone else has treated us, and choosing to forgive them may not relieve those emotions, at least not immediately, but we still need to make the decision to forgive them.

Speak it. Declare it. Ignore your feelings for a moment and make the choice to forgive, so that you can live in freedom. You forgive so that you can live in freedom, regardless of whether or not the other person accepts the forgiveness offered to them.

When you pray, declare out loud for yourself that you realize you cannot earn God’s glory, you need God’s forgiveness through the death of His son Jesus Christ, and you accept Jesus into your heart. Invite Him to live in your heart forever, so that by His strength you can pursue a life of holiness.

Conclusion

Repentance is traditionally seen as an agonizing self-despising, but it is actually intended to be a joyful experience, where we see our own shortfalls and embrace Christ’s perfection to set us free from our own sin.

When you see repentance in that light, you can eagerly find more things in your life that you can confess to God as stopping you from obtaining His glory, and find joy in the truth that Christ has set you free!

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. 

We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. 

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

As the new year begins, what will you be praying for? In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus provides us a pattern of prayer that we could all follow.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

As I pray, I begin by worshipping our Father God as Creator and Lord of the universe. Our all-powerful and all-knowing Father knows us completely yet still loves us. And welcomes each one as a son/daughter! I enjoy taking time to bask in that reality—in his perfect and unconditional love.

Then comes this line: Your kingdom come…  

Lord, may your kingdom come in my life, in my thoughts and in my attitudes—and my motivations. Father, I am so easily distracted and so quick to feel frustrated or impatient. Holy Spirit, I need you to help me keep my eyes on Jesus—to see the world as He does. I want to be more like you, Jesus! To love as you love, to be moved by your compassion, to serve as you served…

Lord, may your kingdom come in my relationship with my wife and our kids, and our grandchildren. I want to represent You to them, to have my words, my responses, my actions and interactions to be more like you—more like you in my character, in the tone of my voice, in how I spend my time…

And Lord, may your kingdom come in their lives! I long for each one—my son and our daughters, and their spouses, and all their children—to love you with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength! From generation to generation until you return, Jesus, may they be sold out and fully surrendered to you! I’m believing for that. I’m crying out for Your Glory…

And oh Lord, may your kingdom come in and through the ministry of Global Disciples. Father, thank you for every member of our team around the world. They each are amazing gifts to this ministry and in my life. You’ve put this team together in such a masterful way. You’ve brought just the right people at the right time, though not always as quickly as I had hoped. You have done us well Jesus, so well!

As I walk around my neighborhood, Lord, may your kingdom come here where you’ve planted us, where we live. I get so busy going here and there, that sometimes I feel like a real failure as a witness for you here, Jesus. I want everyone in this neighborhood to know you. Some do, but many don’t. Oh Holy Spirit, I need your strategies and your love for each one imparted in my heart. I want to be compelled by your love, not guilt driven—but convicted of the importance of my witness here.

I started with one phrase of a prayer burning on my heart, to see your kingdom come. There’s so much more I didn’t get to! I wonder if you didn’t expect that would happen, Jesus, when you gave us this sample prayer. Amen.

Where do you want to see God’s kingdom come in your life? In your family? Or in your community or church? In your business or labor or education? Or in your sphere of influence or the broader world? Then pray that, today and through the coming year.

And this year, as you pray “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). 

– Galen Burkholder, CEO/Founder of Global Disciples

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian missions organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

We all need good friends! Discover how to help a friend grow in faith during tough times with this practical blog from Global Disciples.

We can find great joy in encouraging others to also grow in theirs (Philemon 1:7).

We don’t need to reach a certain level in our spiritual maturity to encourage others in their growth (Romans 3.

Read on to discover how to help a friend grow in faith during tough times.

When we pray with others, it deepens our personal journeys with God, as well as our bonds with fellow believers.

We get to encourage each other by sharing stories of how God has answered our prayers.

Spend as much time as possible praying with each other. Prayers can be silent, said out loud, and intertwined with discussions about Scripture and personal testimony. Welcome the Holy Spirit to guide your discussions and prayers (Romans 8:27).

Worship is an important part of drawing closer to God. And worshipping along with others is instructed in the Bible (1 Corinthians 14:26).

We also draw closer to Him as one body. And this often results in a shared experience of being touched by the Holy Spirit.

Few things can bond believers together as strongly as a shared blessing from the Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth. If you or your friend have trouble with the concept of a creator God, this may offer you insight into the private place you should seek for inspiration.

Spending time in nature brings people closer to God or makes them more aware of God’s presence. Visits to beloved parks, greenways, and other natural areas with a friend are fantastic ways to spend time together and others to discover the beauty of life at a difficult time of the year.

For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. – Colossians 1:16

When we write a note to someone (whether in the form of a card, a letter or even just a simple piece of paper stuck to a mirror), we don’t realize the major impact that that simple act can have on someone.

If we ask the Holy Spirit to guide our writing, we may say something in the note that that person needs to hear at that moment to encourage and bless them.

What makes written notes different from spoken ones is that they last longer, meaning that a person can keep a note and read it again many times. A spoken encouragement can be remembered, but there is something special about having the words in writing. Rereading it is like having the person say it to you over and over again. Of course, the most significant example of this is the Bible! God left us this long note, for us to enjoy and reread throughout our lives.

Sometimes it can be difficult to read the Bible by yourself. Distractions, laziness, and even doubts can interfere with our personal Bible study time.

God knows we all have weaknesses, so He gave us each other to help us. This includes helping us read the Bible together.

Reading the Bible together can help you focus, feel like you are learning with others, and provide an opportunity for you to discuss the passage together. Discussing what you are reading with fellow believers helps you to see different perspectives on the writing, and your understanding of the Bible can deepen as you share ideas with each other. An important note, however, is that you must be careful to always encourage each other, and not let disagreements in opinion lead to resentment or damage to your friendship (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Some of the ways that we can bless others can seem trivial, but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the smallest gesture can impact a person for life.

A simple gift, quick phone call, or little note left on their door can break down years of doubt that a person has had about whether God is real or whether anyone really cares. That one gift could be the answer to a prayer unspoken and a confirmation that their prayer was heard and answered in an undeniable way.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. 

We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. 

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Discover the true purpose and power of prayer and how connection with God with strengthen your soul and spirit.

When we pray to God, it is easy to feel like it is not being heard.

The quiet whispers of our hearts can feel like they are not reaching God’s ears. However, looking at prayer and how God has answered, can encourage us in our prayer lives today.

Prayer serves more than one purpose.

The most typically-known function of prayer is to ask God for what we want and need. We do not need to feel the slightest bit ashamed of asking God for things. In fact, God instructs us in His Word to ask Him for what we want in John 14. Though, this is certainly not the only function of prayer.

Another well-known purpose of prayer is to give thanks. When God has done something for us or changed a circumstance for our good, we show our thanks to Him in prayer. This is very important. Jesus warns us through a parable to remember to be thankful to God (Luke 17:11-19).

However, prayer serves even more purposes than these two well-known functions.

Prayer is a way for us to remain focused on God and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. And this helps us to endure hardships and challenges that we face in day-to-day life. Prayer is a constant reminder that Christ is stronger than any difficulty we may face.

Since simple prayer can be a frequent reminder of God’s constant presence with us.

The wonderful thing about prayer for a Christian is that it is not a one-way process. Through prayer, we do not just talk to God. The fantastic news is that God also talks to us. In fact, Ecclesiastes 5 teaches us to not start our prayers with talking, but rather approach God to listen first.

The Bible is full of stories of prayer and instructions around prayer. Prayer is an integral part of Christian life. The Bible makes it clear that God hears our prayers. He wants us to pray to Him and that He indeed answers them. He may not always answer them in the way we want Him to. But we can be confident in is that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Right in the beginning, Adam and Eve walked with God and talked with Him. This is what the heart of prayer is – talking and being with God. When they tried to hide from Him because they were ashamed, He, in His love, found them. Even when they had to leave the garden because of their disobedience, He, in His grace, made clothes for them.

Noah was told through prayer to build a large boat and obeyed, even when it meant he would be mocked by his neighbours.

Hannah prayed for a child when it seemed impossible and God blessed her with six.

David, in prayer, expressed every emotion known in the Psalms.

Jonah cried out to God from inside the large fish and He rescued him.

In the New Testament, several people pray in their hearts, or directly to Jesus, and He answers them. Paul fills his letters with comments about prayer as a means of encouragement, connecting with God and lifting others up.

Even since biblical times, right up to now, there are countless stories of people praying to God and Him answering them. Some of these stories are on national and international levels, others show prayers being answered for entire villages, and some prayers involve God simply responding to the prayer of an individual. Whether on a macro or micro level, each and every prayer to God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, reaches Him and is valued by Him.

We serve an awesome God, Who is so mighty that He created every galaxy in the Universe, and is also so mighty that He hears and cares about every silent prayer that we whisper to Him from the depths of our hearts. Prayer is not about just asking God for what we need, and also not just about thanking Him for giving us what we asked for. It goes so very much deeper than that. It is about connecting with Him, sharing our hearts with Him, staying focused on Him and, probably most important, listening to Him. The history of the world shows the power and beauty of a life lived in prayer to God.

If you are interested in joining an organization with compassionate discipleship at the very center of all we do, check us out at Global Disciples Canada. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Are you growing day by day into a deeper, all-encompassing, more consistent, connected, and Jesus centred relationship? Jesus promised us that we would be with us always. This blog asks the question how can we pursue intimacy with Jesus in our daily lives?

However difficult it is to remain continually open to Jesus, it is vital that this relationship involves a constantly renewed, up-to-date experience with our Lord. This bond or connection is more than an intellectual thing. It’s not merely an understanding of Jesus and our faith – it’s a relationship.

It is a constant temptation for us as Christ-followers to substitute thinking about Jesus for actually pursuing a real-life, in-the-moment relationship with Jesus. And whilst it may be because relating with Jesus and being attentive and responsive to the Holy Spirit requires time. It needs to be intentional. And living in a daily relationship with the Lord of the universe can be risky, unsettling, and even demanding.

It is a whole lot easier and less costly to think than to do. But it’s simply not enough to follow the teachings of Jesus or a religious code that flowed out of his life. In fact, the absence of a personal,  covenant relationship with Jesus results in a religion other than the one our Lord started. Even if it takes the form of the Christian faith, it will lack the reality of it.

The Apostle Paul warns us of the danger of going through the motions, but lacks the relationship in 2 Timothy 3:5, “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

That’s why discipleship is foundational to Christianity and the mission that has been entrusted to us. If we in the global Body of Christ fail to be disciples who make disciples, the whole movement of the Church will falter and cease to multiply. Discipleship requires a direct relationship with Jesus Christ.

It’s not enough for us to be making ‘converts’ or ‘church-goers.’ We are called to equip disciples who will make disciples who will make disciples… This points us again to the importance of our core value as Jesus followers of Intimacy with Jesus. We cannot with integrity equip others to be and do what we are not being and doing.

Discipling others is a life-on-life activity. Jesus’ approach to discipling was not simply transmitting information or developing a program.

Discipling in the way of Jesus always is about a deeply personal process of being drawn into becoming more like the image and character of Jesus. This is the transformation we are all called to. And it’s the journey we are all called to lead others into.

As Christ-followers we will discover that on this journey to a deeper and more intimate relationship with our Lord there will be joy, peace, and hope that offset the challenges and the risks we face.

As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “our light momentary affliction” prepares for us “an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” (2 Corinthians 4:17). So, let’s all keep pursuing intimacy with Jesus!

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

We all go through times in our lives that can be hard and discouraging. The loss of a loved one or being a victim of a crime can be devastating. Losing your job, a relationship, or your home can damage your confidence in life. Here are some powerful bible verses and quotations to encourage you soul, no matter what you’re going through today!

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29

God’s word is powerful in making people feel stronger by reminding them that they can get through anything with God’s love. The Holy Spirit ministers to our souls when we read the Bible. These uplifting quotes are a great way to start your morning, and they can also guide your thoughts when you’re going through a hard time.

Keep these Bible verses close to your heart. They will keep you going through difficult times.

Faith in God is the certainty of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). It is what keeps us going when others would quit. Here are some Bible scriptures that emphasize the significance of faith and how powerful it can be.

Matthew 17:20
Our faith can move mountains.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Fear can be suffocating. It can leave you feeling paralyzed or unable to take the next step. By God’s grace, you can overcome the debilitating power of fear, as these verses show.

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, or the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Joel 2:21
Do not fear, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!

There is no limit to how much God loves us and how powerful his love is. These inspiring quotations show us just how far it goes. Knowing that God loves us gives us hope, and the promise of a peaceful and joyous life to come is welcome news. These texts in the Bible reveal that God’s love for us is renewed daily.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 121:1-5
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is, but what is unseen is eternal.

Isaiah 55:12
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

If you’re feeling down or hopeless, turning to God can give you a boost. When we connect with God, anything is possible, according to Mark and Matthew. His presence in everything that we undertake bolsters us.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Mark 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man, it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.’

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.’

What we’ve listed above is a collection of Bible verses that can help us stay strong during hard times. These may give you the inspiration or reminder to stay strong in your faith. Remember, God’s love will empower us to overcome anything we can face in this life.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. 

We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. 

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

The Bible is full of examples of people praying to God and seeing His power at work in their lives. These prayers cover various topics, from requests for help to expressions of thankfulness, and each one is powerful in its own way. 

It doesn’t matter who you are or how perfect your words are—all that matters is that you are genuine before God. Anyone who believes in God will be shown His love and kindness. The truth will set them free (John 8:32)!

The words of the Bible are timeless and can serve as our guide through life. To put you on the right path, these Bible prayers can be referenced whenever you need some help or encouragement:

That all Christians stay one, despite their differences, is also one of Jesus’ most heartfelt requests in the Bible. He prayed for our unity so that the world might believe in God (John 17:20-23).

I do not pray for these alone [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for [all] those who [will ever] believe and trust in Me through their message, that they all may be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me.

I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said this prayer to the Father. During Jesus’ time on earth, he prayed and wept bitterly, fearing the agony he would experience due to his death and the subsequent separation from God (Matthew 26:36-45). 

The human character of Jesus’ struggle, even though he understood that his crucifixion was unavoidable and part of God’s plan for him, can encourage us greatly. When we feel overwhelmed, we can remember that Jesus had sweat that looked like blood because of his anguish (Luke 22:44).

And being in agony [deeply distressed and anguished; almost to the point of death], He prayed more intently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down on the ground.

He can comfort us because he knows what it is like to suffer, and we can take courage from him to totally surrender in obedience to the will of God, despite the cost to ourselves.

David’s prayer for fury and peace is also included in the Bible, as is his plea for God’s mercy. When David wrote this brief psalm, he was lamenting God over the false accusations that were leveled against him and seeking shelter in God (Psalm 7). 

God! God! I am running to you for dear life;
    the chase is wild.
If they catch me, I’m finished:
    ripped to shreds by foes fierce as lions,
    dragged into the forest and left
    unlooked for, unremembered.

God, if I’ve done what they say—
    betrayed my friends,
    ripped off my enemies—
If my hands are really that dirty,
    let them get me, walk all over me,
    leave me flat on my face in the dirt.

Stand up, God; pit your holy fury
    against my furious enemies.
Wake up, God. My accusers have packed
    the courtroom; it’s judgment time.
Take your place on the bench, reach for your gavel,
    throw out the false charges against me.
I’m ready, confident in your verdict:
    “Innocent.”

Close the book on Evil, God,
    but publish your mandate for us.
You get us ready for life:
    …probe for our soft spots,
    you knock off our rough edges.
And I’m feeling so fit, so safe:
    made right, kept right.
God in solemn honor does things right,
    but his nerves are sandpapered raw.

Nobody gets by with anything.
    God is already in action—
Sword honed on his whetstone,
    bow strung, arrow on the string,
Lethal weapons in hand,
    each arrow a flaming missile.

Look at that guy!
    He had sex with sin,
    he’s pregnant with evil.
Oh, look! He’s having
    the baby—a Lie-Baby!

See that man shoveling day after day,
    digging, then concealing, his man-trap
    down that lonely stretch of road?
Go back and look again—you’ll see him in it headfirst,
    legs waving in the breeze.
That’s what happens:
    mischief backfires;
    violence boomerangs.

I’m thanking God, who makes things right.
I’m singing the fame of heaven-high God.

Over seventy-three of the Book of Psalms 150 books are composed of David’s hymns and psalms. Many of David’s prayers in the Bible were very personal and deeply felt. 

For this reason, the Book of Psalms is sometimes called the “anatomy of the soul.” You’ll find it all there when it comes to feeling thankful, asking for forgiveness, praying for deliverance, and even being angry in Psalms. 

One of the most consoling prayers in the Bible was spoken by King David in 2 Samuel 7:18-29. It is a prayer of thankfulness and a beautiful tribute to God’s greatness.

The prayer of Jabez for strength and protection in the book of Chronicles is one of the Bible’s most meaningful and powerful. Jabez was listed in the genealogy of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4:2-21. 

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would indeed bless me and enlarge my border [property], and that Your hand would be with me, and You would keep me from evil so that it does not hurt me!” And God granted his request.

The Chronicles author provided a brief history of Jabez’s name and a short prayer to the Lord. Even though it was just a few words, it was a powerful plea for protection. 

He seemed meant to do great things in this world and prayed to God for aid.

Hannah’s prayer is one of the most potent ones recorded in the Bible, and it’s one that we should study closely. Hannah was a devoutly religious lady who had to deal with the stigma of being childless. 

Hannah prayed for a son in the temple of Shiloh and swore to devote her child to the Lord. Samuel was born due to her prayers, and she named him after the Lord. Hannah expressed her thanks with her adoration prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10).

Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart rejoices and triumphs in the Lord;
..horn (strength) is lifted up in the Lord,
My mouth has opened wide [to speak boldly] against my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
“There is no one holy like the Lord,
There is no one besides You,
…no Rock like our God.
“Do not go on boasting so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the Lord is a God of knowledge,
And by Him actions are weighed (examined).
“The bows of the mighty are ^[a]broken,
But those who have stumbled equip themselves with strength.
“Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,
But those who were hungry cease [to hunger].
Even the barren [woman] gives birth to seven,
But she who has many children withers away.

“The Lord puts to death and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol (the grave) and raises up [from the grave].
“The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
He brings low and He lifts up.
“He raises up the poor from the dust,
…lifts up the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor and glory;
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
And He set the land on them.
“He guards the feet of His godly (faithful) ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced and perish in darkness;
For a man shall not prevail by might.
“The adversaries of the Lord will be broken to pieces;
He will thunder against them in the heavens,
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn (strength) of His anointed.”

We can learn a lot from Paul’s prayers in the Bible. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul spoke about God everywhere he went. He also had a role in the founding of the Ephesian church, and it had been a long time since he had seen them. 

Consequently, Paul composed a letter addressed to the Ephesians in which he asked God to provide the Ephesians with a spirit of understanding that would lead to spiritual progress (Ephesians 1:15-23).

 [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. 

The Bible is packed with requests for wisdom and direction, and that’s because we all need it. There are many renowned and powerful prayers in the Bible, but one of the most well-known is Solomon’s request for direction (1 Kings 3:5-15).

“So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart [with which] to judge Your people, so thatI may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge and rule this great people of Yours?”

The Bible is full of powerful Spirit-led prayers that have touched people’s hearts and shaped people’s prayers for centuries. Our prayers reveal our deep emotions as well as the splendor, mercy, and grace of God. These pleas to God have inspired many and will continue to inspire many more people for generations to come. 

Are you interested in knowing more about discipleship organizations in Canada?

Global Disciples trains leaders who live near the least-reached communities to multiply disciples of Jesus Christ and share His Good News. We provide discipleship training to local churches to assist them in activating and mobilizing their members. Contact us and become a part of our community as we spread the Good News of Jesus worldwide.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. 

We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. 

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

In the Great Commission, Jesus told his closest friends to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). After ministering to others, it’s beneficial to know whether we are actually fulfilling that instruction.

Have we in fact made disciples of the people we’ve ministered to? How can we be sure?

Are we living out Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples?

Fortunately, the Bible has given us some guidelines to help us define discipleship. Characteristics of righteous people are mentioned throughout the Bible and certainly agree with each other. We must learn to interpret scripture through the lens of scripture itself.

Looking God’s attributes is an ideal way for us to see the qualities we need to reach for.

We need to know who God is if we are to identify His followers.

A disciple is one who is a follower and learner of a person or group. The goal is to learn, live, and be like Jesus Christ.

The path of discipleship is a journey that includes studying the Bible, fellowship with others, receiving ministry, and doing ministry. The Bible gives us a variety of characteristics that are desirable in a disciple.

What are these qualities? The Bible is clear on the qualities of discipleship.

Below are 5 characteristics of a disciple of God, as shown in Scripture, and consequently 5 qualities of God Himself.

The Bible tells us that God is patient with us, slow to anger and abounding in love (Psalm 86:15).

Consequently, the Bible also calls us to be patient, kind, and gentle. We do this by bearing HIS fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22). When we allow His fruit to grow in our lives, our actions naturally become more patient, kind, and gentle.

God is reflected in the Bible as having a very clear plan for humanity and sticking with it (Philippians 1:6). The very life and death of Christ is the fulfillment of this plan. As He resonates through his disciples, they will begin to let Christ become ruler over every aspect. Wasteful living is rejected and daily activities are carried out with the purpose of serving God.

Christ gave up everything to be the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. The Bible calls us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). This means being willing to give up our own desires, dreams, and comforts to instead be a blessing to others. There have been many examples in history of disciples showing this sacrificial love to violent people whose lives completely changed. They saw their need to also have that kind of sacrificial love.

It is Biblically true that we are all saved by grace and not by works (Ephesians 2:9). Its also true that our works are an indication of our salvation (James 2:18). We are not saved BY good works. But, if we are saved we will DO good works. This is also true in our willingness to work. There is a big difference between resting in the Lord and laziness. Laziness can de defines as not willing to work. Whereas, resting in God is finding the strength in Him to be able to work and work well. A disciple will still work to earn a living, and be willing to work hard as a blessing to others.

In our human nature, we are often quick to judge. How often to we place labels & expectations on others?.

Through Christ, we should be ready to believe the change in others. Its always useful to remember the changes God caused in us. The Bible calls us to always look for the good in others. Just as, in fact, God always saw the potential in us (Ephesians 4). Remember Jonah? He’s described in as having an attitude contrary to God’s attitude toward the people of Nineveh. Nevertheless God worked powerfully IN him and THROUGH him! God saw Jonah’s potential even when Jonah was not living up to that potential. We need God’s grace to be able to see the potential in others.

These 5 qualities of a disciple of God are by no means conclusive.

God is the one who causes His nature to grow within us (1 Corinthians 3:7). We cannot be better people without His strength and guidance. While we all still struggle with sin and can fail many times, by His grace we can start to show more of the attributes mentioned above. These attributes will be some of the markers that can confirm that indeed, Christ lives within us and we are His disciples.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today! 

Psalm 78 tells the story of an army fully equipped to fight but which turned back in the day of battle because they “forgot what God had done.” They lacked unwavering faith in God’s power and care. The enemy speaks often in our ear that God is not able, or God does not care, or God is not good. Faith counteracts this lie and helps us to keep praying even when the battle is difficult or long. 

And without faith, it is impossible to please God. For anyone who comes to Him (that is prayer) must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6

It is impossible to have relationship/communication with God without faith. When we come to God in prayer, we must have two things:

Faith and Prayer are inseparable.  If we have faith that God is sovereign, cares for us and loves to communicate with us, we will pray.  As we pray, obey and testify, we naturally grow in faith in God’s strength and care.

Our faith filled declaration of God’s word and His love plays a role in overcoming the kingdom of darkness.

“They overcame him (Satan), by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives
so much as to shrink from death.” – Revelation 12:11

There are many ways we can begin to understand the beautiful character of God but three ways we can grow our faith and pray faith-filled prayers is to focus on creation, the bible, and history.

Creation – The vastness of our universe is incredible. The Milky Way Galaxy, of which the earth is a part, has about 100 billion or more stars. The Milky Way is one of about 100 billion galaxies in the currently observable universe (some believe there could be two trillion). The average distance between stars in our galaxy is about 48 trillion kilometers. Traveling at the speed of the space shuttle, 8 kilometers per second (30 minutes from the USA to Indonesia), it would take 201,450 years to travel the average distance between stars. Unimaginable–and our God is the creator of it all. 

Psalm 103:11 states, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.”

Let that love settle into your soul!

The Bible – Consider the story of God’s deliverance of his people from the sovereign and powerful nation of Egypt as recorded in Exodus chapter 14. Read it as though you have never read it before. In response to the cries of His people, God literally split a sea in a night, dried the ground beneath, and led his people through. What an amazing act of deliverance! The Bible holds countless records of his power and works on behalf of His children.

History – In the early 1960s while reading through a Time Magazine story about a brutal gang-related murder in New York City, the pastor of a small country church 350 miles away, heard God speak. He saw a picture of the seven members of the Dragons gang who were charged with the murder, and he began to cry. In the book The Cross and the Switchblade, David Wilkerson recounts his experience, “I was dumbfounded by a thought that sprang suddenly into my head – full-blown, as though it had come into me from somewhere else: ‘Go to New York City and help those boys.’” Wilkerson obeyed God, went to New York City, and brought the life of Jesus to the leader and members of that gang. The story of God’s work described in this book is nothing short of remarkable. Take time each year to read at least one biography or autobiography of a Christian to encourage you to see how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His Kingdom.

Just as you read or hear stories of God’s work in the lives of other people, remember your own stories. Take time to reflect on what Jesus has done in your life–how you came to salvation, where he’s changed your habits, your attitudes, and your actions. And tell these stories to your children, your friends, and your co-workers. This is your story of faith; as you share it, it will build your faith and influence others to see the great work of God. Be honest, humble, and open but give God praise for His work.

As you reflect on the work God has done in your life, or you see the testimony of His work in the lives of people around you, pray for more–more opportunities to say yes to him, to act in obedience and faith. Praise Him for His power and love, then obey–take action–on what He shows you to do. It may be uncomfortable at times, even risky, but it will be worth it. It’s how you exercise the faith that’s growing in you. And yes, it will be part of your testimony and can multiply to greater faith and deeper prayer in your life and in those you influence.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!