| The Ministry of Comfort |
Chapter 11 |
Page 8 |
There are other elements in the prayer which avails in its working. Our Lord teaches us that we must be importunate. “Men ought always to pray and not to faint.” Ofttimes the reason no answer comes to our supplication is because we lack earnestness. It is the pleading that will not give up until it gets the blessing which prevails with God. Then faith is essential. Prayer without faith has no power. Faith as a grain of mustard seed, said the Master, will remove mountains; that is, will overcome the greatest difficulties and obstacles. To pray in faith is to pray as seeing Him who is invisible, entering into closest fellowship with Him. Such believing attaches us to Christ so that His life flows through us. Nothing is impossible to him that believeth.
To the lowliest and feeblest of God’s children is given the privilege of prevailing prayer. We may lay hold upon God’s strength. We may make intercession for others and call down upon them the most gracious blessing. We may unlock storehouses of divine goodness and gather treasures at will. All things in earth and heaven are within the reach of him who prays.
“Whate’er is good to wish, ask that of heaven,
Though it be what thou canst not hope to see;
Pray to be perfect, though material leaven
Forbid the spirit on earth to be;
But if for any wish thou dar’st not pray,
Then pray to God to cast that wish away.”
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