Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer
Need of Much Prayer—There is now need of much prayer. Christ commands, “Pray without ceasing;” that is, keep the mind uplifted to God, the source of all power and efficiency.—(Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 510.) {Pr 29.3}
Activity No Substitute for Prayer—As activity increases and men become successful in doing any work for God, there is danger of trusting to human plans and methods. There is a tendency to pray less, and to have less faith. Like the disciples, we are in danger of losing sight of our dependence on God, and seeking to make a savior of our activity. We need to look constantly to Jesus, realizing that it is His power which does the work. While we are to labor earnestly for the salvation of the lost, we must also take time for meditation, for prayer, and for the study of the word of God. Only the work accomplished with much prayer, and sanctified by the merit of Christ, will in the end prove to have been efficient for good.—(The Desire of Ages, 362.) {Pr 29.4}
Even while doing God’s work, humanity gets caught up in the busyness of it that they forget who it is that is responsible for helping them in carrying out the work. We are merely vessels, which God uses to carry out His plan of salvation. However, if we are not connected to God in spirit, mind, and heart, our work will be for naught if we do not receive God’s blessings. We are to keep our minds uplifted to God, who is the source of all Power. All the glory belongs to God and Him only. Do not make a savior out of our activity. Study, meditate on the Word of God, and pray without ceasing.
Our heavenly Father, God almighty,
We come to the foot of Your throne in thanksgiving and praise. We pray that we may draw nigh unto You, that You may draw nigh unto us. Let us hear Your voice that we may follow the Lamb wherever He leads. We pray that we may please You while we carry out the work You have given us to do. While we carry out Your plan of salvation, we pray for Your continual presence, that we keep You in the forefront of everything we do, and we give You all the glory. We lift up our prayers as sweet incense to Your heavenly throne, and pray that You send down Your blessings to us. Help us with the work of reaching and saving the lost souls who are perishing. We pray for the Holy Spirit to convict them of the truth that will save them from eternal ruin. Help us to succeed in the work of sharing and bearing witness to all Your gospel truths for all humanity to hear and learn of You. Help us not be like the disciples who lost sight of their dependence on You while in their busyness in making a savior out of their activity. We pray for Your wisdom, understanding, and discernment when we study and meditate on Your Word that keeps us connected with You. May we receive Your Power that our faith fails not. Help us always to remember that our activity is no substitute for prayer. Help us not deviate from Your plan. We are merely vessels to carry out Your plan and not our own, and it is Your Power that does the work. We thank You for everything You do for us, all that You have done, and everything that You will do, and we thank You in advance for all the blessings to come. We thank You and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
