Chapter 7: Practical Aspects of Prayer

Last week, we had a small gathering, but had a good time in the Word and a good time in prayer for those who couldn't make it.

One thing that occurred to me in going over the chapter last week was that the pattern Teri describes, "ACTS" (Adoration-worship, Confession - of sin, Thanksgiving, and Supplication - making requests) adds more depth and even joy to prayer. It becomes less of a grocery list, less of "I have to pray for these things" kind of a feeling. Instead of feeling like you finished a chore, you can feel more full of the Lord and his perspective and realizing more of what he has already done.

One of the things touched on in Chapter 7 was what do we pray for. We looked at verses that help us to round out our prayer list (as if it wasn't long enough already!).

I was reminded of a Charles Spurgeon devotional reading from Morning and Evening (you can find this free all over the internet!). I have this posted in my home in a place where people often stand around waiting (near the bathroom!). It is a reminder of the overall impact of God's will being done in ALL our requests. Thy will be done!

"He shall see His seed; He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand." --Isaiah 53:10

Plead for the speedy fulfillment of this promise, all ye who love the Lord. It is easy work to pray when we are grounded and bottomed, as to our desires, upon God's own promise. How can He that gave the word refuse to keep it? Immutable veracity cannot demean itself by a lie, and eternal faithfulness cannot degrade itself by neglect. God must bless His Son, His covenant binds Him to it. That which the Spirit prompts us to ask for Jesus, is that which God decrees to give Him.

Whenever you are praying for the kingdom of Christ, let your eyes behold the dawning of the blessed day which draweth near, when the Crucified shall receive His coronation in the place where men rejected Him.

Courage, you that prayerfully work and toil for Christ with success of the very smallest kind, it shall not be so always; better times are before you. Your eyes cannot see the blissful future: borrow the telescope of faith; wipe the misty breath of your doubts from the glass; look through it and behold the coming glory.

Reader, let us ask, do you make this your constant prayer? Remember that the same Christ who tells us to say, "Give us this day our daily bread," had first given us this petition, "Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven."

Let not your prayers be all concerning your own sins, your own wants, your own imperfections, your own trials, but let them climb the starry ladder, and get up to Christ Himself, and then, as you draw nigh to the blood-sprinkled mercy-seat, offer this prayer continually, "Lord, extend the kingdom of Thy dear Son." Such a petition, fervently presented, will elevate the spirit of all your devotions.

Mind that you prove the sincerity of your prayer by labouring to promote the Lord's glory.

Our next meeting will be covering Chapter 8 (though we might rehash a bit of Chapter 7 for those who could not make it last week), on Scripture Memorization. If this topic seems a bit mentally strenuous, I promise we have some good encouragement for you to really succeed in this important discipline!!