Has this ever happened to you? You arrive at church eager to worship God, eager to hear His Word preached, and eager to greet, meet and serve His people…and yet, a little while later, as you leave church you find yourself most aware of and burdened by the trials and difficulties being faced by the precious flock your husband has the privilege to pastor. Or perhaps you’ve had this experience: You have a conversation with someone you know who is facing a trial, difficulty or suffering and you end your conversation with these words, “I’ll be praying for you” and think to yourself as you walk away, “O I wish I could do something more than just pray.” These scenarios are not theoretical to me. I have experienced both many times over the years. But, you know what? Something else has happened over the years as well. As prayer has become more of a practice in my life, my view of prayer has changed. No longer do I view prayer as a well-meaning but insufficient or meager token of care. I have come to see prayer as Mr. Spurgeon has famously written of it, as “the greatest kindness we can do for one another”. Prayer is becoming more and more a priceless privilege, a blessed labor and a sweet service.
Many days I will begin my prayer time with Hebrews 4:14-16. I am amazed at the invitation Jesus obtained for us by His life and death and resurrection. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 Ladies, we are invited, we are invited to draw near, we are invited to draw near to the throne of grace…and what will we find as we respond to that invitation?: His mercy and His grace to help in time of need. What a priceless invitation. What an amazing privilege. That I am invited to draw near, priceless! That I am promised mercy and grace to help and that I may ask for that mercy and grace and help on behalf of others, privilege! Matthew Henry wrote, “We read of preaching the word out of season, but we do not read of praying out of season, for that is never out of season and the throne of grace is always open, and humble supplicants are always welcome, and cannot come unseasonably.” (The Secret of Communion with God, pg.11) Always open, always welcome! May we join David Brainerd who wrote, “Blessed be God that I may pray”! May we marvel that God who is “infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His being: wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth” also says to us, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears.” 2 Kings 20:5b From the pen of Mr. Spurgeon come these words which I have read and re-read over the years for inspiration to pray: “Prayer is the forerunner of mercy…Prayer is always the preface to blessing. It goes before the blessing as the blessing’s shadow…” February 19, Morning and Evening, C.H. Spurgeon “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 labour of prayer.” October 11, Morning and Evening, C.H. Spurgeon “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!” October 11, Morning and Evening, C.H. Spurgeon “Prayer is the never-failing resort of the Christian in any case, in every plight. When you cannot use your sword you may take to the weapon of all-prayer. Your powder may be damp, your bow-string may be relaxed, but the weapon of all-prayer need never be out of order. Leviathan laughs at the javelin, but he trembles at prayer. Sword and spear need furbishing, but prayer never rusts, and when we think it most blunt it cuts the best. Prayer is an open door which none can shut.” November 3, Morning and Evening, C.H. Spurgeon
