Grace Fellowship, Alta Loma, CA
Grace Fellowship, Alta Loma, CA
The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer. -- F. B. Meyer
This quote made me think. Most of us are guilty of complaining about unanswered prayer . . . about the answer we didn't get . . . or perhaps about the answer that was different than what we wanted.
Meyer suggests that my failure to pray is the greater crisis, the ultimate failure. I found myself thinking that God has blessings ready to send my way, answers to requests I have not yet asked . . . and my failure to ask is the missing link.
James said it (James 4:2) . . . my friend Wayne reminded me of it yesterday, "You have not because you ask not."
posted by Roy Halberg @ 12:05 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
We think believers frequently miss the boat when it comes to prayer. Why? Because all too often the prayer life consists of asking for things. But how often do we approach God simply to spend time with Him? How often to thank Him for all that He has already done for us? How often to praise Him for His goodness, His mercy toward us, His longsuffering, His patience, kindness, His word…. The list could go on and on.
How would you, as a parent (if you are one) feel if the only contact you had with your children was when they came asking for something? Do you know the Lord or do you only know about Him? “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:22,23)
What do we pray for? We have heard many prayers for “things” – safe trip to the grocery store, car problems, etc. Paul's primary concern seemed to be to pray for other believers. For what? For their faith, their love to all the saints, for the hope laid up for them in heaven, that they may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, that they may have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that they may know the exceeding greatness of His power, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith, that they may be rooted and grounded in love, that they may approve things that are excellent. That list, too, goes on and on!
Prayer is a thing to be studied that we may pray aright, not, as James tells us, “amiss that we may consume it upon our lusts!”
E. M. Bounds and J. C. Ryle have some excellent writings on the topic of prayer. They can all be downloaded free from www.swordofthelord.us/Library/Topical/index.html. There will also be a free prayer organizer available soon, though the exact date is not specified.
We think believers frequently miss the boat when it comes to prayer. Why? Because all too often the prayer life consists of asking for things. But how often do we approach God simply to spend time with Him? How often to thank Him for all that He has already done for us? How often to praise Him for His goodness, His mercy toward us, His longsuffering, His patience, kindness, His word…. The list could go on and on.
How would you, as a parent (if you are one) feel if the only contact you had with your children was when they came asking for something? Do you know the Lord or do you only know about Him? “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:22,23)
What do we pray for? We have heard many prayers for “things” – safe trip to the grocery store, car problems, etc. Paul's primary concern seemed to be to pray for other believers. For what? For their faith, their love to all the saints, for the hope laid up for them in heaven, that they may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, that they may have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that they may know the exceeding greatness of His power, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith, that they may be rooted and grounded in love, that they may approve things that are excellent. That list, too, goes on and on!
Prayer is a thing to be studied that we may pray aright, not, as James tells us, “amiss that we may consume it upon our lusts!”
E. M. Bounds and J. C. Ryle have some excellent writings on the topic of prayer. They can all be downloaded free from www.swordofthelord.us/Library/Topical/index.html.
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