Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer
Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer
Prayer Needed to Enter Heaven—There is no such thing as our entering the heavenly portals through indulgence and folly, amusement, selfishness, but only by constant watchfulness and unceasing prayer. Spiritual vigilance on our part individually is the price of safety. Swerve not to Satan’s side a single inch, lest he gain advantage over you.—(The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1094.) {Pr 31.3}
Prayer Keeps Us Faithful—
Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching, we are in danger of growing careless, and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy-seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.—(The Review and Herald, December 8, 1904.) {Pr 32.1}
Pray for the Spirit—
If we are to learn of Christ, we must pray as the apostles prayed when the Holy Spirit was poured upon them. We need a baptism of the Spirit of God. We are not safe for one hour while we are failing to render obedience to the Word of God.—(Fundamentals of Christian Education, 537.) {Pr 32.2}
The Word of God tells us that if we love Him, to keep His commandments. We can only serve one master. Christ Jesus says we are either with Him, or against Him. If one seeks the pleasures of this world, he is surely living in sin and cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Heaven is reserved for those that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. We need to pray for the Spirit to learn of Christ and receive Power from on high. Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. Choose today whom you will serve.
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak. Matthew 26:41.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15.
Our heavenly Father,
We come into Your presence in prayer and thanksgiving. We thank You so much for giving us the gift of prayer. For providing a lifeline directly to heaven through Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. You are our great intercessor, and there is none other than You. We pray to receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as we so need Your baptism. We pray to receive Your wisdom and understanding so we may stay on the strait path that leads to Your heavenly kingdom. Do not
let us stray to the left or to the right, as Satan would have us to sift us as wheat. Please remove all the stumbling blocks Satan throws in our path to try to misdirect our steps. You are our pathway to peace and safety that leads our way. Give us strength and courage not to go along with the evils of this world, which Satan is constantly presenting as the way to go. Help us to faithfully remain obedient to Your commandments. Direct our steps in the way we should go. Be the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16. You are the God of love that gives us the choice to serve You. We pray that we all make the right choice, as we cannot serve You and mammon. We pray that we may all be under one accord with You, and with each other. We pray that none will grow careless, take their eyes off You, and fall into a ditch. Help us to remain spiritually vigilant and stay under Your loving care. We pray to enter into the kingdom of heaven, to be with You forever and ever. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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