John Mark Comer Teachings

What is "imaginative prayer"? Josh Porter explores the practice of imaginative prayer and shows us how our God-given imagination can become a powerful tool for intimacy with God, showing us how we can use the gift of our imagination as means of encounter with the Trinity.Key Scripture Passages: Romans 12v2; Philippians 4v8; Colossians 3v1-2; John 14v9; John 1v14; Colossians 1v15; Hebrews 12v1-2; Acts 2v17-18This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Julie from Bellingham, Washington; Greg from Pottsboro, Texas; Stephen from Sunnyvale, California; Wilson from Cochrane, Alberta; and Ally from Dallas, Texas. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Can your singing actually be prayer to God? In this teaching, Alex Rettman explores three powerful truths about worship: it changes us as we behold God's glory, it moves God's heart when we offer costly praise, and it shifts circumstances as we lay a target for His kingdom to come. He shows us how worship isn't just about singing songs: it's about expressing our delight in God in ways that complete our joy and partner with Him in pushing back darkness.Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 33v18-23; John 1v18; 2 Corinthians 3v16-18; Psalm 22v3; Isaiah 42v10-13This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Matthew from Lexington, South Carolina; Mitchell from Lubbock, Texas; Courtney from Edmond, Oklahoma; Robert from Leander, Texas; and Mitch from Fort Collins, Colorado. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why do so many of our prayers seem to go unanswered? John Mark tackles one of the most difficult tensions in the Christian life: how to square Jesus's bold promise of "ask anything in my name and I will do it" with the reality of unanswered prayer. He explores fifteen reasons our prayers might not be answered the way we expect and closes by introducing the ancient practice of lament as a way to meet God honestly in our pain.Key Scripture Passages: John 14v12-14; John 15v7, 16; John 16v23-24; Psalm 13; Psalm 66v18; Isaiah 58This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Matthew from Fullerton, California; Kree from Bismarck, North Dakota; Lee from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire; Benjamin from Conroe, Texas; and Amy from Wilton, New York. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why should we pray? John Mark covers Jesus' teaching and parable on prayer in Luke 11 to show us that prayer is a way to collaborate with God to create good in the world, challenging us to believe Jesus and continually petition our Father with shameless audacity.Key Scripture Passages: Luke 11v1-13; Genesis 1v26-28; Genesis 2v15-17; Genesis 3v6-7; Exodus 32v1-10This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Drew from Georgetown, Texas; Tasha from New York, New York; Anthony from Benson, North Carolina; Nancy from LakeBarrington, Illinois; and Ginger from Dallas, Texas. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What does it mean to pray without ceasing? Father Rick Ganz explores contemplative prayer drawing from John 15 and the image of the vine and branches. He introduces the ancient Jesuit practice of the Examen and offers a beautiful vision of prayer as enjoying God's presence in all of the moments of our lives.Key Scripture Passages: Luke 18v40-43; John 15v1-9This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Sid from Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Josh from Oxford, Oxfordshire; Margaret from Woodland Hills, California; Ashley from Dallas, Texas; and Erin from Centralia, Washington. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

How should we pray? John Mark digs into the Lord's Prayer, and what it shows us about Jesus's posture toward prayer, challenging us to engage in prayer from a place of delight rather than rote discipline. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 5v15-16; Luke 6v12; Luke 9v18, 28-34; Luke 11v1-4This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Joel from Olalla, Washington; Danny from Tucson, Arizona; Greg from Lynn Haven, Florida; Jake from Yakima, Washington; and Randy from Dallas, Texas. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What does it look like to keep growing in our faith? John Mark unpacks the three essential shifts in our journey of discipleship—moving from fear to trust, despair to hope, and self-focus to love. He explains how the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love aren't just feelings but settled conditions of the heart that develop over a lifetime of following Jesus.Key Scripture Passages: 1 John 4v18; 1 Corinthians 13v13This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jordan from Liberty, South Carolina; Heather from Huntsville, Texas; Lifepoint Church from Palm Bay, Florida; Matthew from Plymouth, Michigan; and Paul from San Mateo, California. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What does it look like to stay faithful to Jesus through every season of life? John Mark unpacks the concept of the "first and second halves of life"—a simple but profound framework for understanding the different stages of spiritual maturity. He explores the unique temptations and invitations of each season, showing us how transformation isn't about climbing higher but about surrendering deeper.Key Scripture Passages: John 21v18; Genesis 2v24; Matthew 7v21-23; 1 Corinthians 3v1-3; Hebrews 5v12-14This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Shanon from Lynchburg, Virginia; Georgia from Clermont, Florida; Laura from Portland, Oregon; Kim from Battle Creek, Michigan; and Roger from Irvine, California. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

This is an episode from the Practicing the Way podcast. To dig deeper into the ideas from today's teaching, you can find more by searching for "Practicing the Way" wherever you get your podcasts. --How do we change our deepest sin patterns? John Mark explores the four layers of sin we must navigate on the spiritual journey—from major sins to unconscious patterns to our deepest attachments. He shows us why true transformation requires moving past behavior modification into the painful but liberating work of surrendering everything we cling to for happiness and peace.Key Scripture Passages: Galatians 5v19-21; 1 John 5v16-17; James 1v4This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: James from San Diego, California; Tyler from Rockvale, Tennessee; Kate from Landrum, South Carolina; Jaime from Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and Jessica from Richardson, Texas. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What is God like? John Mark dives into Matthew 11v25-30, exploring what it means that Jesus is "gentle and humble of heart" and showing why grasping this truth is essential for finding true rest for our souls in a culture of burnout and exhaustion.Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 11v25-30; Ephesians 4v2; Colossians 3v12; 1 Peter 3v4; Philippians 2v5-8This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Annemarie from Norwood, South Australia; Seth from Cincinnati, Ohio; Esther from Waynesville, Missouri; Tom from Brunswick, Maine; and Jay from Richmond, Texas. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

How do we love well? Bethany Allen explores the final theme of Advent: love. She shows us that receiving love requires surrender, vulnerability, and trust, and challenges us to intentionally receive God's love as an active, life-changing invitation to become the people we were always meant to be.Key Scripture Passages: Micah 5v2-5a; 1 John 4v10This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: James from Stafford, Virginia; Barb from Bluffton, South Carolina; Brandon from Havre, Montana; Jared from Huger, South Carolina; and Nicole from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Thank you all very much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What does the arrival of Jesus have to do with joy? Ken Shigematsu explores how Christ's coming brings what Tolkien called "the sudden, joyous turn"—a miraculous shift in our story that gives us cause for deep and enduring joy, even in the midst of sorrow. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 1v26-38, 46-49; Luke 2v8-14, 19; 1 Corinthians 2v9This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Rebekah from Springfield, Ohio; Randy from Eagle, Idaho; Amy from Cambridge, Massachusetts; Catherine from Lynnwood, Washington; and Sarah from Portland, Oregon. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

How do we experience more peace? In this Advent teaching, John Mark shares about his journey with anxiety and explores the theme of peace throughout the Scriptures. He challenges us to see that inner peace isn't just about feeling better—it's essential for becoming people of love. Key Scripture Passages: Colossians 3:15; John 14:27; John 20:19-21; 1 John 4:18This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Brad from Dallas, Texas; Alexa from Tampa, Florida; Dan from Sellersville, Pennsylvania; Andrew from Floyds Knobs, Indiana; and Heather from Camarillo, California. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What does it mean to wait with hope? Gemma Ryan explores the story of Simeon—a man who waited decades for the Messiah—and invites us into three transformative questions: What are you waiting for? Who are you becoming as you wait? And what is sustaining you in the waiting? She shows us how waiting isn't passive but active, and how our seasons of in-between can become the very places where God refines and transforms us.Key Scripture Passages: Luke 2v1-7, 22-35; Psalm 130; Isaiah 40; Galatians 4v4This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kathleen from Dallas, Texas; Shailaja from Cranbury, New Jersey; Edward from Pacific Palisades, California; Jeremy from Shoreview, Minnesota; and David from Hove, East Sussex. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What do we do when community gets difficult? John Mark explores the inevitable challenges that arise in deep community and introduces a six-stage cycle that all healthy relationships go through. He shares why commitment is required to stay together long enough to actually grow into people of love.Key Scripture Passages: 1 Corinthians 3v1-4; Matthew 6v15This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Connie from Newton, Kansas; Gayle from Woodstock, Georgia; Todd from Costa Mesa, California; Adam from Fircrest, Washington; and Richard from Laconia, New Hampshire. Thank you all very much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why is authentic community so hard to find? John Mark explores the modern challenges that keep us isolated—busyness, transience, digital distraction—but then goes deeper to reveal the ancient enemy underneath it all: shame. He shows us how shame disconnects us from God and each other, and how the often-overlooked practice of confession can heal our deepest wounds and reconnect us to the love we're desperate for.Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 2v25; Romans 7v21-25, 8v1-3; Mark 2v17; James 5v16This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Heather from West Linn, Oregon; Andy from Austin, Texas; Kim from Lakeside, California; McKenna from Oviedo, Florida; and Veranda from Coppell, Texas. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

How do we go deep in community? John Mark explores the practice of sharing our joys and sorrows in community—following Jesus' example of both celebrating around the table and bearing his deepest pain with trusted friends. Key Scripture Passages: Mark 14v22-24, 32-34; Genesis 2v18; Galatians 6v2; Hebrews 10v24-25; John 15v11; Isaiah 53v3This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Trent from Madera, California; Simone from Arcadia, Oklahoma; Allison from Lynchburg, Virginia; Megan from South Jordan, Utah; and Breanna from Henderson, Nevada. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What does it mean to live as the family of God? John Mark explores how we're created for relationship and why spiritual formation can't happen in isolation. He unpacks the biblical vision of church as a "fictive kinship group" and shows us how transformation happens not just on Sunday mornings, but around the dining room table with people who become family.Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 1v26-27; Mark 1v16-18; Mark 3v13-14, 32-35; Romans 8v15; Acts 2v42-47This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Adam from Austin, Arkansas; Brett from Huntersville, North Carolina; Grace from Jacksonville, Florida; Brandon from Waconia, Minnesota; and Jordan from Palmer, Alaska. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Can we rest our way to freedom? John Mark explores how Sabbath is far more than a wellness practice—it's an act of defiance against the relentless pace of modern life. He shows how God built a rhythm of work and rest into creation itself, and how the command to Sabbath is actually a way to resist cultural forces of busyness, consumerism, and endless accumulation. Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 2v1-3; Exodus 20v8-11; Deuteronomy 5v12-15This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Joan from Coto De Caza, California; Rob from Marble Falls, Texas; Steve from Deptford, New Jersey; Dustin from Los Angeles, California; and Anna from Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at https://practicingtheway.org/give.

What does Jesus really teach about money? John Mark unpacks Jesus' radical teaching from Matthew 6 on treasure, generosity, and trust. He challenges the "work more, buy more, repeat" cycle that dominates Western culture and invites us into an alternative way of life marked by simplicity, generosity, and a God-centered vision. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 6v19-34; 1 Timothy 6v6-19This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Christine from San Francisco, California; Chelsey from Cedar Park, Texas; Brad from Fort Worth, Texas; Ed from Fort Liberty, North Carolina; and Tara from Orleans, Ontario. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.