The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a very salutary lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favors without constraining us to pray for them we should never know how poor we are, but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty. While it is an application to divine wealth, it is 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; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus; weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits; and hence the use of prayer, because, 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 mount above the clouds. Prayer girds the loins of God's warriors, and sends them forth to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. An earnest pleader cometh out of his closet, even as the sun ariseth 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; it is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet foreboding defeat to the Syrians. Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer cannot do! We thank thee, great God, for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of thy marvelous loving kindness. Help us to use it aright throughout this day!
“Heartlight” - Oct 11/07
"The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them."
-- Luke 19:10 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Jesus didn't come to please the religious crowd. Jesus didn't come to
pander to the social crowd. Jesus didn't come to hang out with the wild
bunch. Instead, Jesus entered the world to save sinners. When we look
back over the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus reach out to men and women,
young and old, powerful and forgotten, demon possessed, and the
politically connected. He came to save sinners of all shapes, sizes,
and stripes. He came to save you and me.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy and righteous God, thank you for your great desire to bring
salvation to all people -- including me. Open my heart and move me to
reach out to others who need to know your grace. Even more, dear
Father, stir me to seek the lost as passionately as your Son did ...
and still does. In Jesus' name. Amen.
“Heartlight” Nov 6/07
