YOUR PRAYER LIFE.

“There is a place where Jesus sheds.

The oil of gladness on our heads,

A place that all besides more sweet.

It is the blood-bought-mercy seat.”

-Hugh Stowell

The Christian life is lived on a supernatural basis. The Christian who does not pray is powerless and useless, for all of God’s blessings are called down by prayer. As the Lord Jesus was absolutely dependent upon the father for His message and His power (John 8:28; 12:49; 14:16), so the Christian must look to God for the supply of every need (Phil. 4:6, 19). The Lord knows what we need before we ask Him (Matt. 6:8); nevertheless, He wants us to ask (Matt. 7:7-11). It is His appointed way for Christians to get things (Jas. 4:2). God cannot do for us what He wants to do if we do not pray.

 

“He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength; Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.”(Isa. 40:29-31)

“Verily, Verily, I say unto you. If you shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:23-24)

 

The Lord wants us to pray for anything we need, regardless of how small it may be. If it is right to want a thing it is right to ask God for it. He is our Father and is concerned about us (1 Pet 5:7). The prayer of faith is not a perfunctory prayer. It is a prayer for definite things with the expectation that God will answer. “All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive (margin, “received”) them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24.)

God wants you to pray for yourself, concerning your daily needs and problems (Heb. 4;15-16); He wants you to pray for others—your unsaved friends and relatives, the rulers of our nation, and God’s people in their labors for Christ and His kingdom 91 Tim. 2:1-2). Finally, your prayers should be filled with thanksgiving to God for His mercies and blessings (Phil. 4:6; 1 Thes. 5:18)

Your prayer life will determine to a large measure the success of your Christian life. Just as it is necessary to set aside time each day for Bible study, so should you have a definite time for prayer; otherwise, the Devil will see that it is crowded out of your life. Prayer and Bible study are primary essentials in your Christian growth.