Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 1—God Invites Us To Pray
Chapter 1—God Invites Us To Pray
A Place to Flee That Is Always Open—The way to the throne of God is always open. You cannot always be on your knees in prayer, but your silent petitions may constantly ascend to God for strength and guidance. When tempted, as you will be, you may flee to the secret place of the Most High. His everlasting arms will be underneath you.—(In Heavenly Places, 86.) {Pr 12.3}
The Secret of Spiritual Power—Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Wellspring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor.... {Pr 12.4}
It is a wonderful thing that we can pray effectually, that unworthy, erring mortals possess the power of offering their requests to God. What higher power can man desire than this,—to be linked with the infinite God? Feeble, sinful man has the privilege of speaking to his Maker. We may utter words that reach the throne of the Monarch of the universe. We may speak with Jesus as we walk by the way, and He says, I am at thy right hand.—(Messages to Young People, 249, 250.) {Pr 13.1}
Secret Prayer the Soul of Religion—Do not neglect secret prayer, for it is the soul of religion. With earnest, fervent prayer plead for purity of soul. Plead as earnestly, as eagerly, as you would for your mortal life, were it at stake. Remain before God until unutterable longings are begotten within you for salvation, and the sweet evidence is obtained of pardoned sin.—(Spiritual Gifts 2:264.) {Pr 13.2}
A secular person can undoubtedly notice the difference between a devout Christian believer and one who is not. They will marvel at the countenance of a Christian and wonder to themselves, what is their secret? It is prayer. One does not need to make it obvious to others as they pray, that is, kneeling and folding their hands with eyes closed and heads bowed. By remaining in constant connection with God in secret prayer, one will receive the power needed to make it throughout the day. Prayer is the lifeline between earth and heaven. However, prayer must be exercised daily, like a muscle that it may not atrophy and waste away. Prayer links us with the infinite God and brings us directly to the foot of His throne.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We thank You for giving us the opportunity daily to come to the foot of Your throne in prayer. We are but mere sinful mortals, yet You give us an open invitation to come into your presence with our petitions throughout the day. We thank You for never growing weary of listening to our cries and pouring out the Comforter upon us to bring us Your peace. Anoint our heads with oil and may our cup runneth over. We thank You for the wonderful privilege You have provided to humanity, giving us a lifeline between earth and heaven. We thank You for giving us Your power to make it through each day. You are the way, the truth, and the life and it is only through You, Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior that we are able to speak to our Father in heaven. We pray that You will also speak to us, that we may hear Your voice, that we may follow Thee. Wherever You lead, we will follow. It is our honor to commune with You daily and to be under the constant covering of Your shadow. Thank You for giving us a place to flee, open to all, even for sinners. We are sorry that we have sinned against You and ask for Your forgiveness, even the sweet evidence thereof. Save us, dear Lord, that we may see Your glory for eternity in Your heavenly kingdom. We pray that we may live a life that is well pleasing in Your sight, which honors and glorifies Your name. Help us to fulfill Your will for us in our life, and let not our will, but let thy will be done. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. As we know not all there is to pray, we pray dear Jesus that You pray for us, as You sit at the right hand of our Father, interceding and praying for us, make an utterance on our behalf and it will be answered. We thank You and praise You, and it is in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
