The Hallowed Labor of Prayer
By: David McFadden - The Deeper Life Series
“The Hallowed Labor of Prayer” By Charles H. Spurgeon
“Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.” — Lamentations 3:41
The act of prayer teaches us our lowliness, which is a very useful lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favors without limiting us to pray for them, we should never know how poor we are. Think about this: a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a revelation of hidden neediness. While it is an appeal to divine provision, it is also a confession of human emptiness.
The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for His supplies—to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus. We come to Him weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits. This is the hidden power of prayer because, while it adores God, it lays the creature where it should be, in the very dust.
The answer to prayer is wonderful, but there is more to it. The practice of prayer, in and of itself, is a great benefit to the Christian.
Think of this: As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so for the great race of life we acquire energy by the hallowed labor of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God’s young eaglets so that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer girds the loins of God’s warriors, and sends them forth to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm.
An earnest pleader comes out of his prayer closet, rejoicing like a strong man to run his race. Prayer is like the uplifted hand of Moses which routs the Amalekites more than the sword of Joshua. Prayer is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet portending defeat to the Syrians. Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God.
It is beyond human comprehension to fully conceive all that prayer can do! We thank You, great God, for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of Your marvelous lovingkindness. Help us to use the earnest privilege of prayer throughout this day!
—Charles H. Spurgeon, adapted from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening. All rights reserved.
Taking God’s Word Back to Him
Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege and purpose of prayer. In Your love, I bring my list of worries and concerns—my abject neediness! Thank You that I can come boldly into Your presence because of Jesus. I am weak as water personally, but mighty in Jesus to do great exploits. Thank You for Your wisdom that enables me through the labor of prayer, acquire the divine energy to run the race You set before me. LORD, help me in my human folly to engage You often with an honest heart, so You can lead me and guide me into all truth. I ask You to gird my human weakness with divine strength so I can walk in Your peace. Thank You for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of Your marvelous lovingkindness. Help me comprehend all that prayer can do! Help me use the earnest privilege of prayer throughout this day! I proclaim Your work of salvation in me in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
By David E McFadden
“Let’s Make Disciples Together!”
Get David McFadden’s book at Amazon.com by clicking here: Prayer by the Book: How to Pray Effectively: McFadden, David E: 9798366677516: Amazon.com: Books
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