“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
February 27, 2024
“Prayer fills man’s emptiness with God’s fullness. Prayer fills man’s poverty with God’s riches. Prayer puts away man’s weakness with the coming of God’s strength” (E.M. Bounds). Dear friend, do not let the pressures of daily living rob you of meeting with God. Let us continue following the acronym PRAYER.
Engage yourself in a biblical study of prayer. To start a fire we must get the right kindling. An incomparable study is the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Examine each petition. Recommended is Philip Ryken’s book, When You Pray. Take Paul’s prayers and digest them: “A prisoner’s prayer” (Col. 9-14), “Praying to the Sovereign God” (Eph. 1:15-23) – We are to pray for fellow Christians that they might have the insight needed to grasp certain spiritual truths.
Read a soul stirring book on prayer at least once a year. Power through Prayer by E.M. Bounds will help to light the fires of prayer. A Call to Prayer by J.C. Ryle (1816-1900). It is said that “Ryle lived near God, and God lived through him.” Especially rich is A Call to Spiritual Reformation by D.A. Carson (priorities from Paul and his prayers). In reviewing our acronym on PRAYER, the word “Respond” in prayer is the challenge to do just that, respond to all situations in life prayerfully.
H
“It has been said, with much truth, that the single word ‘help’ is the best ingredient of prayer.” J.I. Packer