Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer
Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer
Prayer Connects Us to Heaven—Those who will put on the whole armor of God and devote some time every day to meditation and prayer and to the study of the Scriptures will be connected with heaven and will have a saving, transforming influence upon those around them. Great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth and duty to God, will be theirs. They will be yearning for purity, for light, for love, for all the graces of heavenly birth. Their earnest prayers will enter into that within the veil. This class will have a sanctified boldness to come into the presence of the Infinite One. They will feel that heaven’s light and glories are for them, and they will become refined, elevated, ennobled by this intimate acquaintance with God. Such is the privilege of true Christians.—(Testimonies for the Church 5:112, 113.) {Pr 22.2}
Our connection to heaven is through the prayers we send up to the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary. It is where Christ Jesus sits at the right hand of our Father, praying and interceding on our behalf. It would be good for us to pray and meditate on the Word of God continually. This is not the same as the eastern form of meditation, whereby one empties their mind. This is dangerous, because if your mind is swept and empty it leaves room for thoughts of evil spirits to take over. Rather, study and meditate on the Word of God and dwell on those scriptures of spirit and truth. This is the privilege given to a true Christian.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We thank You for giving us the privilege of coming boldly into Your presence through prayer. While we pray, You do not come down to us, but we come up to You. What a privilege and honor You have blessed us with. We thank You for giving us Your Word to study and mediate on continually throughout our day. We thank You for giving us this intimate connection between us through prayer. We thank You for Your Spirit and Light that draws us closer to You, that You may draw closer to us. We thank You Jesus, our Lord and Savior, for receiving our prayers and communicating them to our Father. We thank You for teaching us, instructing us through Your Holy scriptures in the way we should go. For showing us the difference between the narrow path, the road less travelled, and the broad road that leads to destruction. For giving us Your strength and the power of Your might. For giving us, the whole armor to wear that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For helping us to stand in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and having the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for Your second coming. For giving us the boldness to confess Your name to man, that You may confess our name to our Father. We pray that we may have an influence on those around us, that they may know the saving truth to make them free. We pray that we can become the true Christians that You made in Your own image. May we continue to be one with You, and what You have joined together, let not man put asunder. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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