THE KING HEARS
God has graciously allowed me to catch a glimpse into His heart, and I want to share with you what I have seen. Today the heart of God is an open wound of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns that we do not draw near to Him. He grieves that we have forgotten Him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and manyness. He longs for our presence.
Richard Foster, "Prayer, Finding the Heart’s True Home"
We today yearn for prayer and hide from prayer. We are attracted to it and repelled by it. We believe prayer is something we should do, even something we want to do; but it seems as if a chasm stands between us and actually praying. We experience the agony of prayerlessness.
Richard Foster
Prayer - secret, fervent, believing prayer - lies at the root of all personal godliness.
William Carey
Seek out the fittest time for prayer, the fittest place for prayer, and the fittest preparation of heart.
Richard Baxter, "The Saint’s Everlasting Rest"
What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer.
E.M. Bounds "Power Through Prayer"
Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still.
E.M. Bounds
Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer.
John Wesley
(Luke 3:21 NIV) When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened
(Luke 5:16 NIV) But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
(Luke 6:12 NIV) One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
(Luke 11:1 NIV) One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men,5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
(Luke 19:46 NIV) "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be a house of prayer' ; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
(Rom 12:12 NCV) Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times.
2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
(Eph 1:18 NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
(Eph 6:18 NIV) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
(Phil 4:6 NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
(Col 4:2 NIV) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
(1 Th 3:10 NIV) Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
(1 Th 5:17 NIV) pray continually;
(1 Tim 2:1 NIV) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--
Spiritual work is taxing work, and men are loathed to do it. Praying, true praying costs an outlay of serious attention and of time, which flesh and blood do not relish. Few persons are made of such strong fiber that they will make a costly outlay when surface work will pass as well in the market...To be little with God, is to be little for God.
E.M. Bounds
1. What was the point to the parable that Jesus told in Luke 18:1-8?
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2. How do these quotes and Scripture verses affect your understanding of prayer?
________________________________________________3. Will this understanding change the way you pray?
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Amen.
© 2001 Andrew Corbett, Legana, Tasmania