Herald & Banner Press, Author at HERALD AND BANNER PRESS

A Prayer at Midnight

Read Acts 16:25-34

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (v. 25).

“We must learn from Jesus what our attitude should be when life becomes painful — one of earnest prayer to our Father who is in heaven,” wrote Dennis Kinlaw in his devotional book, This Day with the Master That is just what Paul and Silas did when they were cast into prison.

The dramatic result, of course, was that God answered via an earthquake that opened the prison doors and shook off the chains that bound the two missionaries and other inmates. The quake also awakened the jailer, who feared for his life until Paul spoke encouraging words to him. And best of all, the jailkeeper gave his heart to God!

But these weren’t the only results of that midnight prayer. One that we almost always overlook is mentioned at the end of today’s verse: “and the prisoners heard them.” Scottish preacher George MacDonald picked up on that phrase and preached and wrote a wonderful sermon about it. Think of the prisoners lying in dark, cold, damp cells, perhaps bound with chains, losing hope of freedom with each day that went by. What did Paul’s singing mean to them? How did Silas’s praying affect them? How could it be that someone could sing in the dark night of suffering?

The missionaries’ worship not only brought deliverance — it ministered to others! (Steven E. Hight)

In our darkness do we encourage others?

Herald & Banner Press2018-10-31T09:00:23+00:00October 31st, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: All night, rescue, results|0 Comments

The Power of Believers’ Prayers

Focus Text: Acts 4:23-35

Central Truth: Great things can be accomplished when believers unite in prayer.

Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list evidences of power in a believer’s prayer life.

Lesson Outline:

I. An Earnest Prayer (Acts 4:23-30)

II. An Answered Prayer (Acts 4:31)

III. A Willing Response (Acts 4:32-35)

Herald & Banner Press2018-10-29T09:00:04+00:00October 29th, 2018|Categories: Front Page, Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: answers, Requests, willingness|0 Comments

The Power of Believers' Prayers

Focus Text: Acts 4:23-35
Central Truth: Great things can be accomplished when believers unite in prayer.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list evidences of power in a believer’s prayer life.
Lesson Outline:
I. An Earnest Prayer (Acts 4:23-30)
II. An Answered Prayer (Acts 4:31)
III. A Willing Response (Acts 4:32-35)

Herald & Banner Press2018-10-29T09:00:04+00:00October 29th, 2018|Categories: Front Page, Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: answers, Requests, willingness|0 Comments

A Prayer for the Pastor

Heavenly Father, I pray for my pastor as the senior leader and shepherd of this congregation. Give him the wisdom and insight he needs to direct our church according to your will. May we follow his lead, instead of arguing, complaining, or revolting against his leadership. Instead, help us to join hearts, hands, and minds in one accord as we seek your Spirit’s leading.

Bless our pastor with understanding of how best to teach and equip our church for service. Give him fresh insight each week as he studies your Word to deliver to our congregation. Help him to demonstrate how the truths of your Word are extremely practical to our lives.

Encourage our pastor as he seeks to train volunteer workers, such as myself, how to better serve the church. Help him to see areas in which we can improve and be able to equip us for greater ministry. Help us to be humble enough to receive the training we need, even though we may have served in our volunteer ministries for many years. Amen.

Herald & Banner Press2018-10-26T09:00:06+00:00October 26th, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: blessing, pastor, prayer, support|0 Comments

Dedication of the Tabernacle

Read Exodus 40:17-38

“Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (v. 34).

There is a good feeling in tackling a work that takes care of a need. There is yet a bigger reward in finishing it. When something is built, there is a glory that goes to the contractor that does an excellent job. Many people usually give compliments on the good work. But when one acts in direct obedience to God, there is a glory from heaven that fills the soul almost to bursting.

“Moses finished the work” (v. 33). Then a cloud came and sort of hid the tabernacle. Sometimes a bit of gloom comes when we don’t expect it. But God has a reason for everything. This cloud may have helped cover the glory of the Lord that came and filled the tabernacle. That glory was so rich in splendor and power that Moses was not able to enter the “tent.” Moses, who had talked to God personally, and had been in His presence until his face shone, could not take this!

Why did God come in such glory? Moses and the men had just built Him a home. When young people go off to college sometimes they take some family pictures and a few other things to help them feel more at home. Well, God just wanted to bring a little of heaven with Him! (L. Wayne Covert)

A little girl, walking with her father on a starry night, when asked what she was thinking, said, “I was thinking that if the wrong side of heaven is so glorious what must the right side be?”

Herald & Banner Press2018-10-24T09:00:19+00:00October 24th, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Building, finish, glory|0 Comments

A Prayer of Dedication

Focus Text: 2 Chronicles 6:12-21, 40-42
Central Truth: Christians should dedicate themselves to do God’s will.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify areas of their lives which should be dedicated to God.
Lesson Outline:
I. Adoration (2 Chron. 6:12-15)
II. Entreaty (2 Chron. 6:16-21)
III. Petitions (2 Chron. 6:40-42)

Herald & Banner Press2018-10-22T09:00:02+00:00October 22nd, 2018|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: dedication, Giving|0 Comments

A Prayer for the Superintendent

Heavenly Father, thank you for my Sunday school superintendent and all the work that he/she does to make sure our Sunday school department runs properly.

You see the stress this person experiences when teachers are absent without warning or complain and argue over little things. Help me to be an encouragement by faithfully showing up each week and letting the superintendent know well in advance if I cannot come. Help me also to have such a sweet spirit that it gives joy to him/her.

Enable this person to have the strength and energy to serve in this position. Help them not to feel overwhelmed by the various administrative tasks for which they are responsible. Give this person creative ideas for how to encourage and train us teachers to disciple our students more effectively. Help us teachers to work together for the good of our church, but most of all because we love you, Lord. Amen.

Herald & Banner Press2018-10-19T09:00:11+00:00October 19th, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Leadership, prayer, stress|0 Comments

Divine Reassurance

Read Daniel 9:20-23

“Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation” (v. 21).

We humans have an innate desire to communicate and be heard and understood by other people. I see this desire in my three-year-old’s face as he tries to get his story out over the noise and distractions of his older brothers. Being ignored or drowned out by the sea of competing sounds is a frustrating experience for him. In those times, stooping down to his level, looking into his eyes, and placing a hand on his arm is the encouragement he needs that someone is listening and cares about what matters to him.

In this passage, Daniel pours out his heart in intercessory prayer, and God sends an angel to reassure him that he is “greatly beloved” and to reveal some astonishing details about God’s work in the future for his people. In our times of prayer, we also may be anguished and burdened for the needs of those around us. In these moments, our Heavenly Father hears us, and it is a blessing when we feel His encouraging touch, reassuring us of His great love and concern for the things that matter to us. (Stephen B. Smith)

Herald & Banner Press2018-10-17T09:00:18+00:00October 17th, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Communication, Encouragement|0 Comments

A Prayer of Confession

Focus Text: Daniel 9:3-6, 11-19
Central Truth: God’s grace is extended to those who confess their need to Him.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify some areas of need in their lives which require God’s help.
Lesson Outline:
I. The Burden (Dan. 9:3-10)
II. The Confession (Dan. 9:11-15)
III. The Request (Dan. 9:16-19)

Herald & Banner Press2018-10-15T09:00:40+00:00October 15th, 2018|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: Forgiveness, prayer, Repentance|0 Comments

A Prayer for Fellow Teachers

Lord, I pray today for my fellow Sunday school teachers. I thank you that our church has a team working together to train people how to live for Christ. I value their ministry, whether they are teachers of younger ages or a different class of adults. Thank you for the privilege of serving you with others.

I pray that my fellow teachers might be filled with wisdom and understanding as they direct their classes. Give them the creativity to teach their students so that every week the class is excited to learn about you.

Give my fellow teachers encouragement in their ministry. I know that they, like me, will have those days and weeks where busyness, troubles of various kinds, and interruptions tend to suck the energy and life from their spirit. Help them to persevere for you. Let them know that their work has eternal results and eternal rewards.

Help me to be an encouragement to my fellow teachers. May I never be a source of frustration or irritation. Instead, help me to be a great team player for the cause of Christ. I pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Herald & Banner Press2018-10-12T09:00:49+00:00October 12th, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: classes, prayer, teachers|0 Comments

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