"I am poor and needy--
come quickly to me, O GOD!
YOU are my help and my deliverer.
O LORD, do not delay!" Psalm 70:5
The act of prayer teaches
us our unworthiness--
which is a very beneficial
lesson for such proud beings
as we are. If GOD gave us
blessings without constraining
us to pray for them--
we would never know how
poor we are. But a true prayer is . . .
an inventory of our needs,
a catalog of our necessities,
a revelation of our hidden poverty.
While prayer is an application
to divine wealth--
it is also a confession of
human emptiness. The most
healthy state of a Christian, is to be . . .
always empty in SELF and constantly
depending upon the LORD for supplies;
always poor in SELF--and rich in JESUS;
as weak as water personally--
but mighty through GOD to do great exploits.
And hence prayer, while it adores GOD,
it lays the creature where it should be--
in the very dust!
Prayer is in itself, apart from
the answer which it brings,
a great benefit to the Christian.
As the runner gains strength
for the race by daily exercise;
so for the great race of life,
we acquire energy by the
hallowed labor of prayer.
Prayer plumes the wings
of GOD'S young eaglets--
that they may learn to soar
above the clouds!
Prayer sends GOD'S warriors
forth to combat--
with their sinews braced
and their muscles firm.
An earnest pleader comes
out of his closet, even
as the sun arises from
the chambers of the east--
rejoicing like a strong man
to run his race.
Prayer is that uplifted
hand of Moses--
which routs the Amalekites
more than the sword of Joshua.
Prayer . . .
girds human weakness with divine strength,
turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and
gives the peace of GOD to troubled mortals.
We have no idea what prayer can do!
We thank you, great GOD,
for the mercy-seat--
a choice proof of YOUR
marvelous loving-kindness.
Help us to use it aright
throughout this day!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published William Steven's very interesting short article,
"The Stones of the Heavenly Temple Prepared on Earth".
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