Prayer - Pastor Reid Ferguson

Walk in Wisdom – Gleanings from Scripture
Luke 18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect
that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

This theme of always praying is woven throughout
the fabric of the Scriptures. The idea may be one of
simple ongoing – unbroken communion with God.
But given the various calls to prayer and its many
examples, the idea seems more to be one of an
unbroken pattern of prayer. In other words, it is not
that one can train the mind to always be in direct
communion with God (though many have indeed
made such a case – and for some may even be
possible) but more of retreating to prayer as a part
of the normal course of everyday life: habitually.
So it is while we assume Jesus Himself to be the
master of unbroken communion, still takes time to
separate Himself and to be "in prayer" as a separate
and distinct activity. Certainly we cannot do better
than He. So all of our attempts at making prayer a
mere matter of if-and-when are probably not as in
tune with the Scriptural call as we might like to
think. I know, someone will recall that none less
than the august Spurgeon (truly one of my personal
heroes) had no set time of daily prayer. It may be
so. But it is also recorded that he often stopped
where he was – even in public places and would
pray. He was given to resorting to distinct prayer all
the time, not simply living in the "spirit" of it – as
some are wont to put it. In any event, what I am
hoping to press here is simply that you and I most
likely are not as Spurgeonic as we might like to
think – and for the sake of our fleshly weakness,
would do well to cultivate such times as a part of
our regular schedule. "Legalist" one will charge. I
don't think so. Your doctor telling you that you DO
have to breathe if you want to live isn't being
legalistic – but realistic. That is all I'm after.
Recognizing that we are a people who need to
regularly and as a course of life – retreat to the
throne of grace to access the bounty of mercy and
grace and goodness He treasures up for us there.
The lifting of anxiety for instance is not to be found
in simply coming to Him when things get extra
heavy – but daily casting our cares upon Him, in
the sweet atmosphere of being with the One who
cares for us even more than we can and do care for
ourselves. Pray always. It is in fact the single best
way NOT to lose heart. Drink in deeply at this
fountain, and you'll have plenty to meet the
demands of living in this sin-wracked world. Pray.

-- Blessings: ReidDulcius Ex Asperishttp://www.responsivereiding.com/"

Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, if sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies; and if they will perish,let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them tostay, and not madly to destroy themselves. If hell must be filled, atleast let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for." -C.H. SpurgeonFor from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Rom. 11:36 (ESV)
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