Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer
Prayer Is a Spiritual Necessity—Although Christ had given the promise to His disciples that they should receive the Holy Spirit, this did not remove the necessity of prayer. They prayed all the more earnestly; they continued in prayer with one accord. Those who are now engaged in the solemn work of preparing a people for the coming of the Lord, should also continue in prayer.—(Gospel Workers, 371.) {Pr 17.2}
They [Jesus’ disciples] had not heeded the repeated warning, “Watch and pray.” At first they had been much troubled to see their Master, usually so calm and dignified, wrestling with a sorrow that was beyond comprehension. They had prayed as they heard the strong cries of the sufferer. They did not intend to forsake their Lord, but they seemed paralyzed by a stupor which they might have shaken off if they had continued pleading with God. They did not realize the necessity of watchfulness and earnest prayer in order to withstand temptation.—(The Desire of Ages, 688.) {Pr 17.3}
The experience of the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane contains a lesson for the Lord’s people today.... They did not realize the necessity of watchfulness and earnest prayer in order to withstand temptation. Many today are fast asleep, as were the disciples. They are not watching and praying lest they enter into temptation. Let us often read and give careful study to those portions of God’s Word that have special reference to these last days, pointing out the dangers that will threaten God’s people.—(In Heavenly Places, 97.) {Pr 18.1}
Jesus is our shepherd, and we are to follow our shepherd’s voice. His words of warning to the disciples was to “watch and pray.” Yet when Jesus went off to pray and asked the disciples to pray, they fell fast asleep. Three times, they were found sleeping. This is our object lesson for all time. Keep your eyes on Jesus, lest you are found sleeping, unprepared with no oil in your lamp, and miss His coming. Prayer is a spiritual necessity whereby we receive the oil, the anointing of the Holy Spirit that fills us till our cup runneth over to impart unto others. By imparting unto others, we have room to receive a continual re-fill so we never run dry. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak. Matthew 26:41.
Our Father, God Almighty,
We come into Your presence in prayer, thanksgiving, and praise. We are so ever thankful for Your love and Your grace. That we as sinners are given this opportunity to commune with You, bringing our petitions before You. We are so thankful for Your Holy Scriptures to provide guidance and instruction to us. How much more thankful that You have left us the Comforter to live in us, that we may live in You. To always, point out the dangers that threaten us and remove us from harm’s way. To remind us of the object lessons taught to Your disciples while You walked on this earth. We pray that none of us will be found wanting, rather wide-awake and not sleeping. May we receive the upper room experience, to be under one accord, and receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. May our cups be filled with the Holy Spirit, always ready to impart oil unto others in preparation for these last days. Grant us strength and courage to continue in this work.
The signs of the times are evident, and Your coming is even at the door. Let us not miss the warnings all around us. May we keep our eyes fixed on You, in watchfulness and earnest prayer in order to withstand temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Grant us wisdom, understanding, and discernment to often read and give careful study to those portions of Your Word that have special reference to these last days. Please place a hedge around our families and us to keep Satan, his demons, and all the people he works through, to keep us safe from harm, the evils, and temptations of this world. We ask and pray for the forgiveness of our sins. Save us, dear Lord, we pray, in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
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