Month: March 2019

March 18, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Christ-Centered Prayer

Christ-Centered Prayer

Do you want your prayer life to be personally empowering and refreshing? Let me recommend Christ-centered prayer.

Hey Jon, aren’t all our prayer supposed to be Christ-centered? Sure, but that doesn’t mean they are.

We can go into prayer two ways. The first is with our needs in the spotlight. The second is with Jesus in the spotlight. There are times when we should lead with our needs, especially when they’re urgent or heavy on our heart. God wants us to come to him openly, for he is our Father.

When your prayer life is Christ-centered, there will be a marked difference in how you come away from your encounters with God. Let’s use today as an example.

I know you’ve got some things to bring to God. Prayer requests of your own and of others. That’s good. We should be doing that.

However, how about starting differently? Let’s begin with Christ. Recognize his presence as you come to the throne of God. Acknowledge him. Honor him. Thank him for being there with you in this time of prayer. Spend a few minutes letting your mind get lost in the thought that the God of the universe has taken time to be present. It’s remarkable. He’s got a big universe to run, but he always has time for you.

That thought is empowering! You’re calling on the One who spoke creation into existence.

Next, talk to Jesus about himself. Recognize and honor him for who he is. He is your Savior, the Living Word, Son of the Most High God, King, Sovereign Lord, Love, Emmanuel (God with us) and so much more.

Are you starting to get excited? Is your focus shifting? Is your spirit being refreshed?

Now bring Jesus your needs but do it in a Christ-centered way. Here’s how. Instead of starting with you, start with him. You’re already focused on Jesus, so continue that way.

Notice the difference. You could pray, “Lord Jesus, I need your wisdom for a couple of big issues today. I’ve got some tough decisions to make.”

Instead, you could pray another way. “Lord Jesus, you are the all-wise God. You’re all-knowing. Praise you for that. Please give me your wisdom today, that I might bring you glory in some really hard decisions I’m facing. I trust in you, not in my own understanding.”

There’s power when Jesus is at the center of your prayers. Instead of focusing on “I” and “me,” focus on “You.” That You is Jesus. And that’s Christ-centered prayer.

If you want your prayer life to be energizing and empowering, enjoying Jesus in a fresh way, then begin your times with God, centering on Jesus.

(From my new devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer, available on Amazon).


March 6, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Prayer and Faith

Prayer and Faith

(My new devotional has just released, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer. May God use it to change lives, perhaps yours. This post is an excerpt from the devo).

Do we pray because we have faith, or do we have faith because we pray? That might be too much of a mind-twister if you’re reading this before your morning coffee.

Imagine being the father in Mark 9 whose son was demon-possessed. Things were so severe that since childhood the demon had harassed the boy, even throwing him often into the fire. This dad lived in complete horror I’m sure, watching his self-destructive son act out for years. Any bit of faith had to be gone.

Enter Jesus. He interviews the father about his son, and in an instant, commands the demon to leave the boy. The demon violently exits and leaves the boy lying there like a corpse. Jesus then takes him by the hand and brings the boy to his feet.

At that moment, the father was caught between two worlds, faith and no-faith. He shouted to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

That’s a confusing statement. I’m sure this dad was so beside himself he didn’t really know what he believed. After seeing Jesus do the miracle and his son returning to a normal life, his faith was a mile high. That’s what I call “adrenaline faith.” He saw Jesus do a miracle and it carried his faith to a new level — temporarily I’m sure.

Adrenaline faith doesn’t last long. It depends on seeing God work. We go from blessing to blessing and our faith follows. It’s a tough way to live.

We really want deep, steady faith. Instead of being tied to God’s blessings, it’s tied to God himself. Rather it being an experience connected to God’s workings, it’s about experiencing God himself.

That comes by spending time with God. And that’s what prayer is all about. You and God enjoying each other. You speak to him and then listen as he speaks to your heart.

The Holy Spirit strengthens your relationship with God as you develop a habit of prayer. Your faith grows. Instead of a mile high like the dad, a mile deep. Your faith will be well-rooted.

Let’s go back to my opening question, “Do we pray because we have faith, or do we have faith because we pray?” The answer is, “Yes.”

It’s a cycle. Your faith feeds your prayer life. Your prayer life feeds your faith. It’s far from the adrenaline faith the dad was experiencing. Your faith will be deeply rooted because you’re spending time with God.

A benefit of your prayer life is that you’ll see God answer your prayers. That will also grow your faith. But, rather than it being one dramatic instance, you’ll see God work consistently.

Try it. Go to God. Pray. Watch him work. In your heart and around you.

Available on Amazon.
March 1, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on God Cares

God Cares

I can break things, but I’m terrible at fixing. In my house growing up, we had two tools: a hammer and a screwdriver. I think that’s the root of my problem.

However, in life, I try to step in and be a fixer. And I’m just as bad as I am with tools. I’m much better off when I turn to the Father.

Oh, how excellent it is to trust a great and mighty God with all our cares. He is all-powerful, sovereign, faithful, loving, eternal and King. This is so wonderful to know. And even better to believe.

Are you feeling overwhelmed these days by the serious needs of people in your life? If you’re a fixer or worrier, then you might find yourself trying to make things right instead of laying these needs before the Lord. The tendency to fix leads to anxiety and frustration. Uncertainty.

Move from being a fixer to exercising faith as you pray. Trust God with those on your heart today.

Someone who needs healing?

A loved one who is addicted?

A relationship that is badly damaged?

A hurting soul that needs hope?

A friend who faces prison?

You can’t fix these things or these people. God is the solution. Bring these needs to the One who owns the universe and is bigger than all the problems of the world combined. What a joy to know that God waits for you to come to his throne with everything, big and small.

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” (Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV)

You may be facing a monumental challenge yourself today. You might be the one who needs healing, hope or freedom. The Lord waits for you. Cease striving and fixing. Bring your biggest pains to him at the altar. Drop them there as you drop to your knees.

You know a God who cares. He loves you and offers himself to you. As you seek help, seek him. Throw yourself into his arms. Your Savior died for you. He not only cares for your soul, but he cares for the total you.

“. . . casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7 ESV)

As you give God the weight of the intense burdens that you’re bearing, you’ll experience his liberation. Cling to him in prayer.

Whether it’s for the needs of others or yourself, move from fixing to faith.

(From my new devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer. Releasing this week on Amazon)

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