In A.D. 404 John Chrysostom, the early church father, was brought in before the Roman emperor. The emperor threatened him with banishment if he remained a Christian.
Chrysostom responded, 'You cannot banish me, for this world is my Father's house.'
'But I will kill you,' said the emperor.
'No, you cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God,' said Chrysostom.
'I will take away your treasures.'
'No, you cannot, for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.'
'But I will drive you away from your friends and you will have no one left.'
'No, you cannot, for I have a friend in heaven from whom you cannot separate me. I defy you, for there is nothing you can do to harm me.'
How does God's Word impact our prayers?
God invites His children to talk with Him, yet our prayers often become repetitive and stale. How do we have a real conversation with God? How do we come to know Him so that we may pray for His will as our own?
In the Bible, God speaks to us as His children and gives us words for prayer—to praise Him, confess our sins, and request His help in our lives.
We’re giving away a free eBook copy of Praying the Bible, where Donald S. Whitney offers practical insight to help Christians talk to God with the words of Scripture.