The Blessing of Prayer
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7 NLT
Effective prayer can be difficult. Many of us can truthfully say that we’re dissatisfied with our prayer life. We know that we could definitely pray more capably and often.
“There is no way that Christians, in a private capacity, can do so much to promote the work of God and advance the kingdom of Christ as by prayer.“ Jonathan Edwards
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.“ (1 John 5:14 ESV)
We’re invited to come boldly to the throne but we come half-heartedly. We hesitate. We have to force ourselves to put other things aside and get still before the Lord. Why is that? Why is prayer so difficult?
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.“ (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)
“Give yourself to prayer, to reading and meditation on divine truths: strive to penetrate to the bottom of them and never be content with a superficial knowledge.“ David Brainerd
As Christians, we’ve been invited into a personal relationship with God.
“Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.“ Dwight L. Moody
In order to have a successful relationship with Him, we must acknowledge that He is our final authority and speak to Him from our heart.
“Prayer opened the Red Sea. Prayer brought water from the rock and bread from heaven. Prayer made the sun stand still. Prayer brought fire from the sky on Elijah’s sacrifice. Prayer turned the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. Prayer overthrew the army of Sennacherib. Well might Mary Queen of Scots say, “I fear John Knox’s prayers more than an army of ten thousand men.“ Prayer has healed the sick. Prayer has raised the dead. Prayer has procured the conversion of souls. “The child of many prayers,“ said an old Christian to Augustine’s mother, “shall never perish.” Prayer, pains, and faith can do anything. Nothing seems impossible when a man has the spirit of adoption.“ J.C. Ryle
When we speak to Him from our heart, and humble ourselves before Him, seeking His guidance, His forgiveness, or His help, He promises to hear us.
“We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength.“ Charles Stanley
Are you taking advantage of prayer to praise, worship, petition, and offer thanksgiving to the Lord?
“The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, buy unoffered prayer.“ F.B. Meyer