Spiritual Singing

Does not one have to be in the right mood for singing, either to engage in it personally or to enjoy that of others? Such is the idea which prevails generally among professing Christians. From one standpoint, it is of course true but from another, it is not so. But surely no one sings when he is thoroughly miserable, unless he forces himself to do so. 

Ah, is not that exactly what the worldling would say? It is! and, sad to say, the great majority of church members hold the same view, which only evidences the carnality of their conceptions. Are the children of God in no better case than the children of the devil? Are they too "creatures of circumstances," swayed by the situation in which they find themselves, a prey to their feelings? But must not one be in a cheerful frame in order to really sing? 

Yes, to sing naturally. But does not the saint require to be on the mount, before he can break forth into spiritual song? Such questions indicate how unscriptural the thoughts of most people on this subject are: they reduce singing to a mere physical exercise, an outburst of their natural emotions. Christians are bidden to delight themselves in the LORD (Psalm 37:4); and if they really do so, songs of praise are bound to spring up in their hearts. That it is not God's will that His children should be miserable, is clear from the fact that the service of song is an ordinance of worship; both under the old covenant and the new. (1Chronicles 6:31, Ephesians 5:19) 

Singing is an act by which the soul renders homage, and the heart adores the glorious One 

[A. W. Pink]

                                                    Jasper Silas Neal ©2017

Psalm 96:1 ... O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.

Psalm 28:7 ... The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

James 5:13 ...  Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. ❤

Consider Them Rubbish!

When the grace of God commences its work in a man's soul, he begins to be serious and thoughtful. This is one of the first noticeable changes in him: he renounces his former foolishness and indifference, and becomes a sincere, considerate man, in whose mind there is a deep concern as to his own heart and character in the sight of God. He is concerned to avoid temptations, lest they should prove too much for him, and he should be betrayed into sin. 

He longs to lead a holy life; in fact, holiness is now his great aim and desire. He becomes a praying man, and studies God's Word devoutly. He is an earnest man now, concerned about his soul's affairs, his sins, his life, his death, and his eternal salvation. He hears the wheels of eternity sounding in his ears, and henceforth lives for Jesus, and puts away childish vanities. Such matters were sport to him once, but they are serious concerns to him now. 

He has thrown off the cap and bells of the jester and taken up the life of a pilgrim; confessing in an unmistakable manner, that life is short, death is sure, and Heaven and Hell are the most sobering realities. He is the best Christian, who most exemplifies in his own practice, what is recorded in the Gospel of the temperament, converse, and actions of the holy, the harmless, and undefiled Jesus; and depends the most absolutely upon Him, for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

Philippians 3:7-8 ... But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

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The World Hated Him First!!

This one was another request - wanting to show this passage illustrated. This was from a student who feels their faith is under attack by their professors and fellow classmates. Colleges and universities can be a scary place for Christians, especially if this is their first time leaving home and "in the world".

While the Bible does not offer any promises about being able to avoid being hated by the world, Jesus does assure us that this hate is ultimately directed at Him. The good news is that we are not of the world, and we belong instead to the family of God.

I hope this image is an encouragement to you, and please keep sending those ideas in! 

                                                       www.ChristianPhotoshops.com 

John 15:18-19 ...  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

1 John 3:13 ... Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. ❤

Priceless Jewel in Worship

Heart worship is the most precious thing in the sight of God. The only worship that God accepts is that priceless jewel the love and devotion of the heart. Nor is it hard to see why it is so; for it is plain that if a man had kept all the rituals of the Mosaic law, yet he might not be a sincere worshiper of God at all. He might drive whole flocks of his sheep to the temple to sacrifice; and yet he might feel no love or reverence for the Highest God. 

It has been proved times without number, that the most careful and zealous attention to external religious ceremonies, is quite consistent with the absolute absence of any true communion with God, and hearty love for Him. The conscious lack of inward, vital, and saving grace may even drive a man to a more intense zeal in religious formalities, in order to conceal the sins in his heart. It is written, "Israel has forsaken his Maker, and builds temples." You would think that if a man would build temples, then he must love and reverence God. But it is not so. Beneath the folds of priestly vestments, ordained ministers often attempt to cover over their wicked hearts. 

Fine music often proceeds from proud hearts. The smoke of incense often becomes a cloud which attempts to conceal a man from the face of God. It is no doubt that certain rich men who give large contributions to religious causes, often do it in pride to show off their wealth, or to display their generosity. A large monetary gift might be nothing more than a bid for popular esteem and so it is a mere offering to selfishness and vanity. With such sacrifices, God is not pleased. 

Alas, how easy it is to defile the worship of God, until it becomes an odious stench to Him. Singers may lift up their sweet voices, so that others may hear how charmingly they sing. Ministers may preach with eloquence, so that they may be admired for their exquisite speech. Believers may even pray devoutly, so that their fellow Christians may see how pious they are. 

Alas! This blight of SELF may come into any and every part of religious service and turn the worship of God into an occasion for self-glorification! 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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John 4:23-24 ... But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.   God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Matthew 15:8-9 ... This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Philippians 3:3 ... For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. ❤

Living in the Light of Christ's Return

I am afraid that the subject of the second coming of Jesus is not sufficiently thought of and studied by many Christians. I must say that the greater number of believers are not like the early Christians in this matter. The early Christians made it a principal part of their religion to look for the second coming of Jesus. They looked backward to the cross and the atonement and rejoiced in Christ crucified. But they also looked forward to the coming of Christ and lived in a state of expectation."

The New Testament continually presses upon believers the certainty and suddenness of the return of Jesus. Again and again, we are exhorted: "Keep watch. Be ready. Be alert!" These are not gentle suggestions, but urgent commands from the lips of our Lord.

 

1. Keep Watch!

"Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24:42)

To keep watch is to live with eyes lifted heavenward, weighing every choice in the light of eternity. The world lulls souls to sleep with its vanities, but the Christian must remain awake, knowing that at any moment the skies may part and the Son of Man may appear.

"Let us live like men who believe in the reality of Hell and Heaven, the near coming of Christ, the value of the soul, the vanity of this world, and the importance of holiness. Our time is short our days are numbered. We are on our way to the final judgment!"

 

2. Be Ready!

"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." (Luke 12:40)

To be ready is to have our sins forgiven, our hearts cleansed, and our lamps filled with oil. It means walking in daily faith and repentance, clinging to Jesus, and living as pilgrims bound for glory.

"The great question is whether we have saving grace in our hearts whether we have been born again and are ready to meet the bridegroom. The saddest sight in the day of Christ's appearing will be unready professors, with lamps gone out and no oil to be found."

 

3. Be Alert!

"Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come." (Mark 13:33)

Alertness is the vigilance of a soldier who knows the enemy is prowling around him. It is to resist sin, redeem the time, and serve faithfully as stewards who long to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant… Come and share your Master's happiness!"

"Nothing is of such importance, as to be found "in Christ" when He comes. Riches, rank, health, honors, pleasures all will be worthless then. To be a true servant of Christ, ready for His appearing this will be the only thing that matters."

Keep Watch. Be Ready. Be Alert. Let us live wisely, walk in holiness, and long for His appearing.

"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." (Matthew 24:44)

Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 

[J. C. Ryle]

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Our Constant Habit!!

The believer must ever conduct himself with kindness and love towards the wicked. Yet there is in many religious professors, almost the same acrimony against the ungodly world as there is in the ungodly world against them! 

How unfitting this is! For if there is any difference between us and others it is God alone who has made us to differ! We must set the Lord Jesus Christ ever before us, and endeavor to drink into His spirit, and to walk in His steps. This must be our constant habit. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Romans 12:19-21 ... Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Matthew 5:43-45 ... Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 

Luke 6:27-29 ... But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. ❤

"Your Daughter is Dead"

"While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. 'Your daughter is dead!' he said." Luke 8:49 

Let us notice in this verse how universal is the dominion which death holds over mankind.  We see death coming to a rich man's house and tearing from him the desire of his eyes with a stroke!  Such tidings as these, are the bitterest cups which we have to drink in this world. Nothing cuts so deeply into man's heart as to part with beloved ones and lay them in the grave.  Few griefs are so crushing and heavy as the grief of a parent over the death of an only child.  

Death is indeed a cruel enemy! He makes no distinction in his attacks. He comes to the rich man's mansion as well as to the poor man's cottage.  He does not spare the young, the strong, and the beautiful any more than the old, the infirm, and the grey haired.  Not all the gold of Australia, nor all the skill of doctors can keep the hand of death from our bodies, in the day of his power.  When the appointed hour comes, and God permits him to smite then our worldly schemes must be broken off, and our darlings must be taken away and buried out of our sight. 

These thoughts are melancholy, and few like to hear of them. The subject of death is one that men shut their eyes at and refuse to look at. "All men think all men mortal, but themselves!"  But why should we treat this great reality in this way?  Why should we not rather look the subject of death in the face, in order that when our turn comes, we may be prepared to die?  Death will come to our houses, whether we like it or not. Death will take each of us away despite our dislike to hearing about it. Surely it is the part of a wise man to get ready for this great change. Why should we not be ready? 

There is one who can deliver us from the fear of death. Christ has overcome death, and "brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel." He who believes on Him, has everlasting life. Though he dies yet shall he live. Let us believe in the Lord Jesus and then death will lose his sting. We shall then be able to say with Paul, "To me, to die is gain!" (Philippians 1:21) 

[J. C. Ryle]

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Romans 8:13 ...  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

John 5:24 ... Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Galatians 6:8 ... For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ❤

The Twin Wonder ...

One of the most soul-exhilarating truths in all of Scripture is the twin wonder of God's grace and mercy.  These two divine attributes shine brightest when viewed against the dark backdrop of our utter unworthiness.  We have willfully rebelled against our Maker, transgressed His holy Word, and loved darkness rather than light. And yet, God, in infinite love and compassion, lavishes both grace and mercy upon vessels of wrath. 

GRACE is God's freely giving salvation to un-deserving, ill-deserving and Hell-deserving sinners. It is not merely a lifting of guilt; it is the bestowing of unimaginable blessing! Grace takes a vile rebel against God and makes him a beloved son of God.  Grace does not wait for worthiness it moves toward the unworthy and brings them nearby.  As Paul wrote, "It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast!" (Ephesians 2:8-9) Salvation is not a reward; it is a gift.  It is God placing a crown of blessing on the head of the one who deserved nothing but chains of punishment. 

MERCY, by contrast, is God withholding damnation to un-deserving, ill-deserving and Hell-deserving sinners. "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities!" (Psalm 103:10) Every breath we take outside of Hell, is a mercy. Every morning that dawns with fresh light, is a token of God's longsuffering. It is mercy that delays judgment and gives room for repentance. It is mercy that pities the guilty and restrains wrath. Together, grace and mercy reveal the full beauty of the gospel. Grace gives Heaven. Mercy withholds Hell. 

Grace bestows riches. Mercy averts ruin. In Christ, both flow freely. The cross is where mercy and grace meet justice satisfied by the blood of the Son, and favor poured out without measure upon the utterly unworthy. There, the Hell-deserving are pardoned, adopted, and promised glory. Brethren, we have nothing to boast in. The only thing we contribute to our salvation, is our sin! And believer, never cease to marvel that you are now an heir of Heaven because God has not given you what you do deserve, and has given you what you could never deserve. Fall on your face before this God who is rich in mercy and abounding in grace. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

Hebrews 4:16 ... Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

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Ready For the Bridegroom?

The Christian should be prepared for all that can happen.  As one that is dead to the world, and risen with Christ, as one that is united to Christ, and living in fellowship with Christ; as one that witnesses for Christ and is to share in the coming glory of Christ, he should be ready for anything, and everything. Especially should he be ready for the coming of his Lord. 

His life, in one view of it, should be a going forth to meet and to welcome his Lord; that so when he comes he may share in the happiness and honor of the wise virgins, of whom we read, "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut!" (Matthew 25:10) 

THE EVENT. It is called a wedding banquet, one of the most joyous events among men. Jesus has married our nature, when he took it into union with himself, in the womb of the virgin. So that now he is one with us, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh. God and man are one Christ. He has betrothed our persons, this was done through the gospel, and by the agency of the Holy Spirit. We are solemnly engaged to him, and he is pledged to us. We are to be his and his forever. He is to be ours and ours to all eternity. He will come to be publicly wedded to his glorious and glorified church. Then shall she be beautiful and glorious indeed. Then as represented in the song, she will look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun. Then he will display all his riches and honors, shining forth as the heir of all things, as the brightness of glory, as the image of the invisible God. Then, all his beloved people, will be filled with joy unspeakable and pleasure inconceivable. O it will be a glorious day, when Jesus looks upon the Church he has loved, and for which he laid down his life, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing the perfection of beauty, the very counterpart of himself. 

THE HAPPY VIRGINS. They were ready. As cleansed from all sin in his precious blood and purified from every stain by the operation of the Holy Spirit. As clothed with the magnificent robe of the Savior's righteousness, and the beautiful garments of salvation. As anointed with the holy unction, or the Spirit's grace and gifts. As adorned with all the virtues that can beautify humanity, and the graces that can dignify the Christian name. Having a well-trimmed lamp, shining with the light of knowledge, supplied with the oil of grace. Thus, washed and robed, anointed and adorned, and letting their light shine before men they were ready. Therefore, they went in with him to the wedding banquet and enjoyed what they had long wished and prayed for a full sight of him in all his glory and beauty! It was now their privilege to stand before him accepted, approved, and blessed. They were now acknowledged as his and honored as his beloved bride. They were now to be everlastingly shut in with him, free from sin, and filled with holiness, while sorrow, sickness, pain and death, Satan and every foe are shut out! Full of holiness, light, and love they are happy; perfectly and eternally happy.

THE DISMAL DOOM OF ALL BESIDE. "The door was shut!" Saints are shut in. Sinners are shut out. All within are safe and safe forever. All without are miserable eternally and unspeakably miserable. Forever excluded from God's presence, shut out from the Savior's wedding feast, they can never take part in the celestial service. Worse than this; they are shut out where hope expires, and black despair forever reigns; where rest can never be enjoyed, or comfort be ever tasted. They will be shut in with devils, and the souls of the damned, and shut in with them forever! How sad, to be so near to Christ and yet to be separated from him forever!  To be so near, even at the door of the wedding chamber and yet never allowed to enter it. 

How searching is this subject, how it urges upon us the duty of self-examination, and presses home upon us the solemn question, Am I ready? How glorious, how unutterably glorious, it will be, to be admitted with Jesus, to share in all the happiness and the honors of Jesus, and to be forever with the Lord. Holy Spirit, am I ready? Am I prepared for an event so solemn, so sublime, so glorious? Heart searching God, search, O search my heart, and see if all is right there, and as a display of your infinite grace, prepare me for that glorious day, so that when Jesus, as the Bridegroom comes I may be ready and go in with him to the marriage, before the door is forever shut. 

If anyone reads these lines, who is not ready, O Lord prepare that soul and let not one of my readers come too late, and find the door shut and shut forever! 

[James Smith]

Matthew 25:13 ... Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 24:44 ... Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Revelation 19:7 ...  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. ❤

Encouragement to a Burdened Soul

My Very Dear,

Grace, mercy, and peace be with you, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, by the anointing and teaching of the Holy Comforter. "For," said our Lord, "He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said unto you." "He will guide you into all truth." "He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me." The Holy Spirit is the living guide to Jesus. It is He who says, with power, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." It is He who convinces of sin, who wounds, and probes the wound, and lays open the evil of our nature, causing us to know that we are corrupt within and without. But He not only thus discovers the malady, but He also applies the remedy. He abases the sinner; and exalts the Savior. He gives the deep sense of sin that the great salvation may be more appreciated and enjoyed. We are as bad as we can be, and it is needful to know it; but the knowledge of our depravity will not save us. It is, "Look unto ME, and be saved, all the ends of the earth." Some seem to glory in their deep discoveries of depravity; but nay, rather "let him that glories, glory in the Lord."

The end of a thing is better than the beginning: the beginning of the Lord's teaching is to know ourselves; the end to know Him, whom to know is life eternal, and happy is it for those who tarry not in all the plain, but amidst all the sense of sin and the loathing of self, are kept pressing on, crying, "That I may know Him;" "that I may find Him;" "that I may be found in Him;" "I press towards the mark;" "I long for the prize."

We read, Luke 6:19, "The whole crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming out from Him and healing them all." Their miseries pressed them on to seek His mercies; and so, the poor woman with the issue of blood; it seemed incurable; it made her unclean. How dare she approach the Holy Jesus? How dare she presume to touch His unspotted garment? Ah, but she believed that He had power, and that that power was to be received by faith; and thus, she obtained the cure. "Somebody did touch Me; I know that power has gone out from Me." She had believed with the heart, and thus He drew her on to confess with the mouth, and then He openly gave her the full reward of her faith "Daughter, be of good comfort: your faith had made you whole; go in peace." (Luke 8:43-48)

Ah, many are now thronging and pressing Jesus by noisy profession, but only a few are getting the healing virtue, and those are unclean diseased ones who think themselves most unlikely of all. But of Him they hear; and "faith comes by hearing." To Him they are brought, for "all that the Father gives me shall come to me." And they do not come in vain, for "he who comes to me I will never cast out." "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Yes, power to forgive sins also. Yes, my precious Savior, with hand and heart do I subscribe thus--You have power to save those whom no one else could or would; for You have clothed such a vile sinner as I am with the garments of salvation. You have covered me with the robe of righteousness. Therefore, my soul does greatly rejoice in the Lord and is joyful in my God. Oh, those words, "My God!" when lawfully and feelingly uttered, have in them a world of blessedness!

Well, you see how it is with me. I am still delighting in the love of the altogether lovely Jesus; but not half enough. What do you think of Christ? Surely my heart's desire is, that He may be enthroned in your affections, for "He is worthy," and the more unworthy you feel, the better He will suit you! In your flesh "dwells no good thing." While you dwell in that tent you will find evil, only evil. Like the father of the faithful, you will have to go forth into the land (Deuteronomy 8:7-9) which the Lord will show you; but He must order all your journeying, as He says, "I will guide you with my eye, I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go."

It seems, however, that at present you are under the ministry of condemnation, because you are resting in your own righteousness, which you will never establish, as it is contrary to the law of faith. (Romans 10:3) The contrast is, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not alter the flesh, but after the Spirit." This is the ministry of righteousness which follows the other and exceeds in glory; for the work of righteousness is peace, "and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." Here is that which establishes us. "You have set my feet upon a rock and established my goings." "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established." (2 Chronicles 20:20) "In righteousness shall you be established." (Isaiah 54:14) "He that establishes us in Christ and has anointed us is God, (2 Corinthians 1:21) who also seals us with that Holy Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance." (Ephesians 1:13, 14)

All the operations of that Spirit in the soul are either to make known or make way for Christ; the latter seems at present His work in your heart. He is discovering your evil and shaking your movable things. (Hebrews 12:27) Like John, He goes before the Lord to prepare His way. Be of good cheer, this Divine Messenger betokens that the Lord is at hand. He would not have showed you all these things if He meant to destroy you. "I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified" "through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

The Lord blesses you and grants you the instructions of wisdom for the training of your dear child, and all else you are called to. And now, farewell! May you be brought home at the appointed season in safety, and with dew resting upon your branch. As your husband is a lover of husbandry, he perhaps will not be offended with the Christian love and greeting of a gleaner, who can feelingly say, "The Lord bless you," (Ruth 2:4) and make you a blessing. (Micah 5:7) This is the true wish of my heart for you both.

Your very affectionately,
Ruth

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Sincere Prayer ...

Prayer is a sincere, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised in His Word.  Prayer opens the heart to God, and it is the means by which the soul, though empty, is filled with God's grace. 

The truths that I know best, I have learned on my knees. I never know a thing well, until it is burned into my heart by prayer.  Sincere prayer is a shield to the soul, a scourge to Satan, and a fragrant and pleasing sacrifice to God. 

Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer. When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words be without heart. 

[John Bunyan]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ... Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Ephesians 6:18 ... Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Mark 11:24 ... Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. ❤