When I studied in Seminary (1966-68), I had many subjects to ponder. However, for some unexplained reason, there was one class that wasn't studied—the subject of prayer.
Acts 6:4 indicates that church leadership have 2 foci for their work, ministering the Word, and prayer. Those who aren't ministering formally are also known as people who steadfastly pray (Acts 2:42).
How long has it been since you've heard a series of sermons on prayer, or attended a seminar on prayer?
We hear a lot about retreats on how to be a better spouse, how be good parents, how to be spiritual leaders in the local church and so on, but most (all?) of us have never heard of a series of sermons or seminars on how to pray. I never have, and I have been a Christian for 64 years.
Matthew Henry (1662-1714) is still one of the most popular commentators on the Bible. He's been quoted as stating, “You must sue God for the performance of His promises.”
As Henry wrote his remarkable commentary of the whole Bible, he stopped after Acts in the New Testament. He had become so burdened to pen a book on prayer, and did so. Unfortunately, he died before being able to return to the commentary. Godly friends took his notes and completed the work in his name.
The book on prayer is republished under the name “A Way To Pray”. It's a superb volume and worth a careful reading by all God’s people. You can obtain a copy using the links below.
Download a free PDF version: https://bit.ly/3WIEfad
Purchase a Kindle version at Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dz1iuU
Purchase a printed copy: https://bit.ly/4fIYz40
The book has many prayers of various sorts, and all contain nothing but the words of Scripture.
If you have no other book on prayer but this one (and you use it as your manual on prayer), you'll master the divine art of prayer.
Do you pray?
Prayer is the breath of God in man,
Returning whence it came;
Love is the sacred fire within,
And prayer the rising flame.
The Christian’s life with it concludes,
And with it doth begin;
’Tis this invigorates the soul,
And is the death of sin.
It gives the burdened spirit ease,
And soothes the troubled breast;
Yields comfort to the mourners here,
And to the weary rest.
When God inclines the heart to pray,
He hath an ear to hear;
To Him there’s music in a groan,
And beauty in a tear.
The humble suppliant cannot fail
To have his needs supplied;
Since He for sinners intercedes,
Who once for sinners died.
B. Beddome
