Prayer

Lately there have been things that I have been really tempted to fret over. I find myself wondering how I am going to fix this, or solve that, or please someone in some way. Then it occurred to me, I must be thinking that I have the most wisdom and the most might because I was relying totally on myself! Well, I truly know that it is not me who has the most wisdom or understanding. It is not me who knows how to handle and respond to each and every one of these circumstances. The One who has infinite wisdom, strength, and sovereign control is Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. How much do I need to be faithful in prayer instead of faithful in worry! Instead of relying on my own feeble efforts, I should be humbly, continually communing with my Lord. Today I was reading in Luke 11. In the beginning of this chapter Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray. Right after he teaches them what to say when they are praying, he teaches them how much and how earnestly they should be praying.

Jesus says, " Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." (Luke 11:5-10).

Oh for this faithful persistence in my prayers to a God who is lovingly waiting to hear them. My God is not like the neighbor who does not want to get out of bed! He DESIRES for me to come before him in prayer. There is nothing that is too small and no matter to great. Our God is big enough to handle it all! Below is a writing by C.H. Spurgeon. May it encourage you as it has me to be devoted to prayer.

"Devote yourselves to prayer." Colossians 4:2
It is interesting to notice how many pages of Sacred Writ are taken up with the subject of prayer, either by providing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We can scarcely begin reading the Bible before encountering a phrase such as "At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD," and, just as we are about to complete our reading, the "Amen" of an earnest supplication meets our ear. There are numerous examples of this. Here we find a wrestling Jacob---there a Daniel who prayed three times a day---and a David who, with all his heart, called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands and myriads of promises. What do these examples teach us? Specifically, the sacred importance and necessity of prayer! We may be certain that whatever stands out prominently in God's Word is intended to be observable in our lives. If He has said a great deal about prayer, it is because He knows we have a great need of it. Our necessities are so deep that, until we are in heaven, we mustn't stop praying. Don't you lack anything? Then, I am afraid you do not know the extent of your poverty. Don't you have some mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord's mercy show you your misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. Is is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honor of a Christian. If you are a child of God, you will seek your Father's face and live in your Father's love. Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter more often into the banqueting house of His love. Pray that you may be an example of blessing to others, and that you may live more to the glory of your Master. The motto for this year must be: "Devote yourselves to prayer."