Prayer

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 1, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 30.

OBSERVE regular seasons for Bible study and secret prayer. Notwithstanding the busy toils and cares of the day, keep in close touch with God through these stated interviews, and by living constantly in the spirit of prayer. Some people rush to their knees without taking time to read the Bible, thereby losing the most effective preparation for prevailing prayer. A reverent study of the Word opens the way for the mightiest prayer. God speaks to you through the Scriptures. You speak to Him through prayer, then the blessed Holy Spirit witnesses to the Word in the depths of the spirit.

Take time to be alone. Make much of the still hour. Get right quiet before God. Bid all other voices be silent, that He may speak to you. Sometimes we talk so hurriedly to Him that He has but little chance to speak to us. Elijah did not hear the "still small voice" (or voice of gentle stillness, as it is sometimes translated) until the fire, storm, and earthquake had passed away.

"Prayer requires retirement at least of heart. Have a private place if possible, but at any event retire to the private chamber of the heart. Our closet must be in us, as well as we in our closet." Jeremy Taylor said: "A good man could build a chapel in his heart." Abraham was closeted with God under the oak at Mamre, by the brookside, David in his bedchamber, Daniel with his window open toward Jerusalem, Peter on the housetop, and the Lord on the mountain. "Only when the heart is shut toward the world can it be open toward heaven."

Many live in such a rush that they miss that delicate finish of character, that clearness of vision, that massive strength, that fervid piety, that unutterable depth of love and tenderness of spirit, that triumphant faith and profound repose, which are the result of frequent interviews and long communings with God. Men like Knox, Luther, Wesley, Elijah, and John the Baptist, owed much of the heroic grandeur of their ministry to the long seasons spent in retirement with God. Stay on your knees until you have the victory. Go on to know the fulness of God. The Lord will lead you

into agonizing, importunate prayer. This is what the apostle calls praying in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit wrenches your soul until the cry goes up from the very marrow of your being, like a woman in travail. These are priceless occasions, for then God is breathing His mighty cry through yours; and great things will follow, for "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16.

Mr. Moody says that the Bible read without much prayer makes an intellectual Christian, while a great deal of prayer with but little study of the Scriptures will produce fanatical Christians. This is true. Have your own Bible and study it earnestly. Prayer and Bible study can not be separated in the successful Christian life. On the earnest, consecrated Christian who engages in this twofold duty and privilege God will bestow wonderful peace and power.

— Anonymous.