PRAYER by L. E. Miller

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 4, 1868

PRAYER

By L. E. Miller

Prayer is the life of the Christian. Oh, what a blessed privilege is prayer! What innumerable blessings it brings down from above! By prayer we have intercourse with God, through Christ our intercessor; and shall we neglect this glorious privilege? Oh! could we catch one glimpse of his divine majesty, how earnestly would we pray. How would this world sink into utter insignificance, and the things that now interest us so much would pass unnoticed. Oh! that we might all realize the importance of prayer. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Our prayers should be constant and persevering. “Continuing instant in prayer.” “Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;” and we must ask in Jesus’ name. He cannot turn away the face of his Anointed, who ever lives to intercede for us. “Ask, and receive, that your joy may be full.” Oh! what an incentive to prayer. Our dear Saviour continued all night in prayer. Let us learn of him.

There are many precious promises to those that pray. “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ear is ever open to their cry. Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” “Seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one that asketh, receiveth, and he that seeketh, findeth, and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.” “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Oh! who would neglect to pray? Oh! that we might all realize the value of prayer. Elijah prayed, and fire descended from heaven and consumed the sacrifice he was offering, and the astonished multitude cried out, “The Lord he is the God, the Lord he is the God.” In answer to Hezekiah’s prayer, the Lord sent his angel and destroyed 185,000 of the host of his enemies. Peter was liberated in answer to prayer.

What great encouragement for prayer, and how wonderful the love of God that gives us such encouragement. Remember, Satan is very busy trying to hinder us from praying, but let us be instant in prayer, and let not the cares of this world prevent us. Let not a host of temptations keep us from praying, for God will hear prayer, and in a little while our prayer shall be changed to joyful praise, in that better land where there shall be fullness of joy and pleasure forevermore. L. E. MILLER.