In the Christian's devotional life, prayer has an
essential place. The godly men of the Bible were all men of prayer.
Jesus, who showed us in Himself the ideal life of a child of God had regular
habits of prayer. He who would live the Christian life well, must regularly
commune with God!
It is important, however, that we understand clearly what it
is to pray. It is not enough that at stated times we go over certain
forms of prayer. We only pray, when we speak to God what is in our heart
as a desire, a longing, or a burden.
Jesus teaches that we are to pray to God as our Father.
We must come to Him, therefore, as children, with the genuineness, the
simplicity, the confidence of children. When we stand at God's throne of grace
and speak the name "Father" and ask for a child's blessing, we are sure of
instant welcome.
Many people think of prayer only as coming to God with
requests. They tell Him only their needs. They never bow before him nor
speak to Him, unless there is something they wish Him to do for them.
What would you think of a friend of yours who never came to you
nor talked with you, except when he wanted to ask some favor of you? True
friendship finds many of its sweetest moments when there is no help to ask but
when only love's communion fills the happy time. It should be so in our relation
with our heavenly Father. If we care to be with Him only when we have a favor to
ask of Him — then there is something lacking in our love.
We are not to suppose that when Jesus spent whole nights in
prayer he was making requests all the time. He went away from the trying,
struggling, troublesome life of the busy days among the people to find
shelter, rest, and renewal of strength, in sweet converse with his Father. Just
so, most of the time we spend in prayer should be given to communion with
God.
A minister relates that one Saturday morning, when he was in
his study preparing his sermon, his little child opened the door and came in,
stealing softly to his side. Somewhat impatiently, the father turned to her and
asked, "What do you want, my child?"
"Nothing, papa," the child replied. "I only want to be with
you."
This is oft-times the only desire of the true Christian when he
comes to pray. He has no request to make; he just wants to be with his
Father!
[J. R. Miller]
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Matthew 6:6 ... But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
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.
Colossians 4:2 ... Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;❤
