Beloved brethren, the importance of prayer in our lives can never be overstated. As with any relationship, if we wish to draw near to God, we must communicate. He communicates to us through His word and by His Spirit, and we communicate with Him through prayer.
In our flesh, we tend to pray when we are in need, when we struggle, when situations seem dire. Yet we ought also to pray when we are well, when we are blessed, when all seems right.
Thus, Paul urges us, “pray at all times” (Eph. 6:18). We are to come to God with our needs. We are to come to God to make petition for others. We are to pray for all men (1 Tim. 2:1), and for those in government (1 Tim. 2:2). We are to pray for the sick (Jas. 5:16). We are to pray for our enemies, for those who persecute us (Mt. 5:44). We are to come to God with our anxieties, our concerns, with thanksgiving and praise.
Clearly this does not mean we need to join a monastery, nor spend 24 hours per day, 7 days per week on our knees. What it does mean is that, inasmuch as possible, we are to recognize God’s presence in our lives at all times. We are to take time to separate ourselves and pray, as Jesus Himself often did (Lk. 5:16).
Realize also that our prayers aren’t simply about getting what we ask for. Prayers are not quarters, and God is not a cosmic candy dispenser. God does answer prayer, though not always as we wish. But the end goal of prayer shouldn’t be to bend God to our will, but to conform our will to His, and thus to be conformed to the likeness of Christ who prayed, “not as I will, but as you will” (Mt. 26:39; Lk. 22:42).
Let us therefore humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God and cast our anxiety on Him, because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:6-7). Let us come to Him, not harboring worry, but giving thanks, presenting to Him our requests and He will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7). Let us pray at all times that we might draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us (Jas. 4:8).
——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions
Morning, February 6
"Praying always." Ephesians 6:18
What multitudes of prayers we have put up from the first moment when we learned to pray. Our first prayer was a prayer for ourselves; we asked that God would have mercy upon us, and blot out our sin. He heard us. But when He had blotted out our sins like a cloud, then we had more prayers for ourselves. We have had to pray for sanctifying grace, for constraining and restraining grace; we have been led to crave for a fresh assurance of faith, for the comfortable application of the promise, for deliverance in the hour of temptation, for help in the time of duty, and for succour in the day of trial. We have been compelled to go to God for our souls, as constant beggars asking for everything. Bear witness, children of God, you have never been able to get anything for your souls elsewhere. All the bread your soul has eaten has come down from heaven, and all the water of which it has drank has flowed from the living rock- Christ Jesus the Lord. Your soul has never grown rich in itself; it has always been a pensioner upon the daily bounty of God; and hence your prayers have ascended to heaven for a range of spiritual mercies all but infinite. Your wants were innumerable, and therefore the supplies have been infinitely great, and your prayers have been as varied as the mercies have been countless. Then have you not cause to say, "I love the Lord, because He hath heard the voice of my supplication"? For as your prayers have been many, so also have been God's answers to them. He has heard you in the day of trouble, has strengthened you, and helped you, even when you dishonoured Him by trembling and doubting at the mercy-seat. Remember this, and let it fill your heart with gratitude to God, who has thus graciously heard your poor weak prayers. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."
Beloved brethren, the importance of prayer in our lives can never be overstated. As with any relationship, if we wish to draw near to God, we must communicate. He communicates to us through His word and by His Spirit, and we communicate with Him through prayer.
In our flesh, we tend to pray when we are in need, when we struggle, when situations seem dire. Yet we ought also to pray when we are well, when we are blessed, when all seems right.
Thus, Paul urges us, “pray at all times” (Eph. 6:18). We are to come to God with our needs. We are to come to God to make petition for others. We are to pray for all men (1 Tim. 2:1), and for those in government (1 Tim. 2:2). We are to pray for the sick (Jas. 5:16). We are to pray for our enemies, for those who persecute us (Mt. 5:44). We are to come to God with our anxieties, our concerns, with thanksgiving and praise.
Clearly this does not mean we need to join a monastery, nor spend 24 hours per day, 7 days per week on our knees. What it does mean is that, inasmuch as possible, we are to recognize God’s presence in our lives at all times. We are to take time to separate ourselves and pray, as Jesus Himself often did (Lk. 5:16).
Realize also that our prayers aren’t simply about getting what we ask for. Prayers are not quarters, and God is not a cosmic candy dispenser. God does answer prayer, though not always as we wish. But the end goal of prayer shouldn’t be to bend God to our will, but to conform our will to His, and thus to be conformed to the likeness of Christ who prayed, “not as I will, but as you will” (Mt. 26:39; Lk. 22:42).
Let us therefore humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God and cast our anxiety on Him, because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:6-7). Let us come to Him, not harboring worry, but giving thanks, presenting to Him our requests and He will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7). Let us pray at all times that we might draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us (Jas. 4:8).
——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions
Morning, February 6
"Praying always." Ephesians 6:18
What multitudes of prayers we have put up from the first moment when we learned to pray. Our first prayer was a prayer for ourselves; we asked that God would have mercy upon us, and blot out our sin. He heard us. But when He had blotted out our sins like a cloud, then we had more prayers for ourselves. We have had to pray for sanctifying grace, for constraining and restraining grace; we have been led to crave for a fresh assurance of faith, for the comfortable application of the promise, for deliverance in the hour of temptation, for help in the time of duty, and for succour in the day of trial. We have been compelled to go to God for our souls, as constant beggars asking for everything. Bear witness, children of God, you have never been able to get anything for your souls elsewhere. All the bread your soul has eaten has come down from heaven, and all the water of which it has drank has flowed from the living rock- Christ Jesus the Lord. Your soul has never grown rich in itself; it has always been a pensioner upon the daily bounty of God; and hence your prayers have ascended to heaven for a range of spiritual mercies all but infinite. Your wants were innumerable, and therefore the supplies have been infinitely great, and your prayers have been as varied as the mercies have been countless. Then have you not cause to say, "I love the Lord, because He hath heard the voice of my supplication"? For as your prayers have been many, so also have been God's answers to them. He has heard you in the day of trouble, has strengthened you, and helped you, even when you dishonoured Him by trembling and doubting at the mercy-seat. Remember this, and let it fill your heart with gratitude to God, who has thus graciously heard your poor weak prayers. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."
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