It is a high place that is given to the prayers of saints in
1 Tim. 2:1.2. If Christians only knew how their prayers for kings
and governors are heard in heaven, they would not be meddlers
with this world's politics.
Every wish that the Holy Ghost breathes into the soul of a believer
is a voice which enters into the ear of God.
It is well for a child of God to pray for himself, but a more
excellent thing to pray for others. God honours the spirit of
intercession.
We are too apt to set God a time and a way of answering our prayers;
and even when our prayers are answered, we are often surprised
and ready to faint. If we desire much communion with God and
with Christ, we must not be surprised if the Holy Spirit come
upon us as a keen north wind, revealing our own corruption and
evil to us: when it comes, let us not say, How can we bear this?
but rather be thankful for God's wise answer to prayer.
If we have not the spirit of supplication and thanksgiving, let
us begin with the spirit of confession.
When we pray, let us be sure God is hearing us. If we ask help,
kindness, favour, from a fellow-man, it cheers us to observe
the _kind attentive look_: let us by faith regard our unseen
Saviour and Priest, and settle it in our hearts that our prayer
is received; the answer will come in the best time. If we cannot
comply with God's just demands to be singing and triumphing with
Christ above, He will listen to His unbelieving, groaning children.
He _bows down_ His ear to hear their cry.
When the Word of God enters the conscience, men pour out their
hearts indeed to the Lord.
Our need of Prayer is as frequent as the moments of the day;
and as we grow in spirituality of mind, our continual need will
be felt by us more and more.
In order to have power with God in Prayer, there must be an undivided
heart; if we would come boldly to the throne of grace, we must
come obediently.
Daniel made prayer and meditation of the Scriptures the chief
business of his life; yet, if we consider the circumstances in
which he was placed, we shall see that few ever had greater obstacles
than he in the way of seeking God.
God gives, as a wise Father, prized benefits to His supplicating
children.
When we ask for more communion with God, are we willing to part
with all that hinders? Let us take heed that our ways agree with
our words when we come to the Mercy-seat.
It is a great help to us when we see that our prayers and our
labours are to be as the grain of wheat falling into the ground.
If we look for death and burial first, we shall be able to go
on in patience; and in due time shall assuredly reap an abundant
harvest.
We ought to go to God with our matters as altogether His.
How great is our favour and power with God! for we are kings
and priests unto God—His sons and daughters by adoption and
grace. Let us take heed that we grieve not the Spirit who sealed
us unto the day of redemption; and nothing will God deny us.
(John 15:7.)
The best testimony that Stephen bore was his last not when he
was preaching and working miracles, but when he pleaded for his
persecutors; for then he most resembled the Lord Jesus in patience,
forgiveness, and love.
When some peculiar pressure is upon you, be like Queen Esther,
whose first request was the king's company. In each trial "seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," and all other
things shall be added: your seeking first the removal of the
trial shows that you need the continuance of it.
We must not look on that only as Prayer to which our lips give
utterance; the wish of the believing heart is counted prayer
by God; it is the smoke of the incense which ascends in silence
before Him.
If a path be overgrown with moss and briers, it is difficult
to trace it; if well frequented, it is plainly seen. Our pathway
to the fountain of Jesus' blood should be ever well trodden by
our confessions.
Unbelief lightly esteems both our Own prayers and those of others.
We can never draw nigh to God in believing prayer, but the answer
will be more than we had grace to hope for. Expectation from
God is a precious fruit of prayer.
A guilty conscience stops prayer, but a cleansed conscience makes
prayer to flow. We may often have the spirit of prayer without
the comfort of prayer.