Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 1—God Invites Us To Pray Chapter 1—God Invites Us To Pray
An Exalted Privilege— When in trouble, when assailed by fierce temptations, they [God’s children] have the privilege of prayer. What an exalted privilege! Finite beings, of dust and ashes, admitted through the mediation of Christ, into the audience chamber of the Most High. In such exercises, the soul is brought into a sacred nearness with God, and is renewed in knowledge, and true holiness, and fortified against the assaults of the enemy.—(An Appeal to Mothers, 24.) {Pr 9.2}
Prayer Is Both a Spiritual Necessity and a Privilege—
Those who have professed to love Christ, have not comprehended the relation which exists between them and God, ... They do not realize what a great privilege and necessity are prayer, repentance, and the doing of the words of Christ.—(Selected Messages 1:134.) {Pr 9.3}
Prayer Enables Us to Live in the Sunshine of His Presence—
It is our privilege to open our hearts, and let the sunshine of Christ’s presence in. My brother, my sister, face the light. Come into actual, personal contact with Christ, that you may exert an influence that is uplifting and reviving. Let your faith be strong and pure and steadfast. Let gratitude to God fill your hearts. When you rise in the morning, kneel at your bedside, and ask God to give you strength to fulfil the duties of the day, and to meet its temptations. Ask Him to help you to bring into your work Christ’s sweetness of character. Ask Him to help you to speak words that will inspire those around you with hope and courage, and draw you nearer to the Saviour.—(Sons and Daughters of God, 199.) {Pr 9.4}
Prayer, first thing in the morning, is not only a privilege but also a necessity in order to endure the work as well as the temptations of the day. Prayer opens our hearts to Jesus and lets Him in that we may abide in Him and Him in us. Through prayer, and with God living and dwelling within you, it allows you to reflect His character, so when people see you they see Christ and not you. Pray for Jesus to help you speak the words you need to speak and to hold your peace when nothing should be said. Allow the character of Jesus to be an example unto others and a source of strength to them. Prayer allows you to draw nigh unto God that He may draw nigh unto you.
Our Heavenly Father,
We thank You for giving us this privilege to be able to enter into Your presence through prayer. We are so ever grateful for Your love and Your mercy. For Your long-suffering towards us. For giving us the opportunity to speak to You and for us to hear Your voice. We pray for Your Spirit to live and dwell within us, abide in us that we may abide in You. Lead us, guide us, and keep us
on a safe path that leads to Your Heavenly Kingdom. We pray that You grant us Your power from on high, Your strength and courage, wisdom, understanding and discernment to do what is right, favorable, and well pleasing in Your sight. We pray that we may receive Your character, so others see You and not us. Let us be an example unto others and a source of strength, hope, and encouragement to them. Speak Your words through us and hold our peace when we ought not to speak. Help us prepare for the day ahead and to resist all temptations. May we honor and glorify Your name, and let not our will, but let Thy will be done. We are sorry and repent of our sins. We pray that You forgive us of all our sins, the known and the unknown, and that You cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Help us prepare and be ready for Your Second Advent so that we may go to heaven with You and Your heavenly host. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. As we know not all to pray, we pray that You will pray for us, on our behalf make an utterance for us to receive all of the blessings You have in store for us. We thank You and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
