Thus from the Gospel of Luke, and the Acts of the apostles, we have deduced seven striking examples of the importance, the prominence and the mighty power of prayer. We shall now bring forward a number of encouragements and exhortations to engage in that holy exercise.
1. “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 18:19). What an encouragement is here! Even two disciples, the smallest plurality, agreeing together to pray, can get anything they ask for! Amazing truth! Do we believe it? Do we avail ourselves of it?
2. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matt. 21:22). Here again we have unlimited resources placed at the disposal of believing prayer. The simple prayer of faith can get us “all things.” Do we believe this? Do we avail ourselves of it?
3. “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11:9,10). What ample encouragement is here! Do we believe it? Do we avail ourselves of it?
4. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13,14). “Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23, 24). Could we desire aught beyond this? Faith, using the name of Jesus, is assured of getting “whatsoever” it asks. O, reader, do we believe this? Do we avail ourselves of it?
5. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Eph. 6:18). The man who has on “the whole armor of God” will be able to pray “for all saints.” Such an one will not be occupied so much about himself as about others. He will think about the people of God and the work of God.
6. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6,7). Here, one’s own need and difficulty are fully provided for. Believing prayer is the unfailing resource in everything.
7. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.” (Col. 4:2, 3). “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you; and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all have not faith.” (2 Thess. 3:1, 2). In these quotations, the progress of the gospel is more especially pressed upon the faithful, as a proper subject of earnest prayer and intercession.
Having thus placed before the reader so many examples of the importance, the prominence and the power of prayer; and also having furnished him with so many encouragements and exhortations to engage in this most hallowed exercise, we shall now close with a precious clause from the Epistle of James, namely, “Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”
My God! is any hour so sweet,
From blush of morn to evening star,
As that which calls me to Thy feet—
The hour of prayer?
Blest is that tranquil hour of morn,
And blest that hour of solemn eve,
When, on the wings of faith upborne,
The world I leave.
For then a day-spring shines on me,
Brighter than morn’s ethereal glow;
And richer dews descend from Thee
Than earth can know.
Lord, till I reach that blissful shore,
No privilege so dear shall be,
As thus my inmost soul to pour
In prayer to Thee.
(Continued from page 188)