Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer Prayer Needed Now More Than in the Early Days—
We must be much in prayer if we would make progress in the divine life. When the message of truth was first proclaimed, how much we prayed. How often was the voice of intercession heard in the chamber, in the barn, in the orchard, or the grove. Frequently we spent hours in earnest prayer, two or three together claiming the promise; often the sound of weeping was heard and then the voice of thanksgiving and the song of praise. Now the day of God is nearer than when we first believed, and we should be more earnest, more zealous, and fervent than in those early days. Our perils are greater now than then. Souls are more hardened. We need now to be imbued with the spirit of Christ, and we should not rest until we receive it.—(Testimonies for the Church 5:161, 162.) {Pr 26.1}
Seek the Lord With All the Heart—
Our prayers should be full of tenderness and love. When we yearn for a deeper, broader realization of the Saviour’s love, we shall cry to God for more wisdom. If ever there was a need of soul-stirring prayers and sermons, it is now. The end of all things is at hand. O that we could see as we should the necessity of seeking the Lord with all the heart! Then we should find Him. May God teach His people how to pray.—(God’s Amazing Grace, 92.) {Pr 26.2}
Prayer Is Not Time Wasted—
Every morning take time to begin your work with prayer. Do not think this wasted time; it is time that will live through eternal ages. By this means success and spiritual victory will be brought in. The machinery will respond to the touch of the Master’s hand. God’s blessing is certainly worth asking for, and the work cannot be done aright unless the beginning is right. The hands of every worker must be strengthened, his heart must be purified, before the Lord can use him effectively.—(Testimonies for the Church 7:194.) {Pr 26.3}
It is when we feel least like praying that we should pray the most. The world today is more hardened and more of the mindset that if it feels good to you, and it does not hurt anyone else, then it is all right. The world today thinks that it is rich, increased with goods, and in need of nothing, but knows not that it is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. With the flesh, they serve the law of sin. This is why, now more than ever; we need to be in constant, fervent, and zealous prayer, asking God for His wisdom and understanding. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
Our Lord in heaven,
We thank You for this privilege, and yet another opportunity to enter into Your presence in prayer and supplication. We seek You with all our heart, mind, and soul. Though we are sinners, and come to You in our filthy rags, You welcome us with an open heart and all Your loving kindness. You tell us to come as we are, confess and repent of our sins, and be saved into Your Royal Family. It is the highest honor for us to be Your children. We thank You for giving us the ability to pray to You and be able to make progress in the divine life. We pray for Your Spirit and Light, for Your Divine wisdom for us to share with those souls with hardened hearts. We pray that You take the stony heart out of our flesh and give us a new heart of flesh, and let this mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus. May we spend hours with You in earnest prayer claiming all Your promises, so that You will hear and answer all our prayers. We see our need of You, as we cannot do anything without You. You are the creator of all things, and we thank You for giving us Your breath of life. We pray that with each day anew, we may enter into Your presence, commune with You, and that You may teach us how to pray to strengthen our hands for the work You have appointed us to do. Help us start each day right to be effective workers for Your heavenly kingdom. Strengthen us to walk in the Spirit, and not in the flesh. Remove all obstacles from our path, and if we stumble, set us aright on the strait, narrow path. May we do what is right in Your sight, that we may wear the robe of righteousness. Bless us and keep us, save us Dear Lord, in the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.
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