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Strength Through Prayer, March 3
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord
our maker.
Psalm 95:6
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Christ has given His disciples assurance that special seasons for de-
votion are necessary. Prayer went before and sanctified every act of His
ministry.... The night seasons of prayer which the Saviour spent in the
mountain or in the desert were essential to prepare Him for the trials
He must meet in the days to follow. He felt the need of the refreshing
and invigorating of soul and body, that He might meet the temptations
of Satan; and those who are striving to live His life will feel this same
need....
Christ has pledged Himself to be our substitute and surety, and He
neglects no one. There is an inexhaustible fund of perfect obedience
accruing from His obedience. In heaven His merits, His self-denial and
self-sacrifice, are treasured up as incense to be offered up with the prayers
of His people. As the sinner’s sincere, humble prayers ascend to the
throne of God, Christ mingles with them the merits of His life of perfect
obedience. Our prayers are made fragrant by this incense....
Let all remember that the mysteries of God’s kingdom cannot be
learned by reasoning. True faith, true prayer—how strong they are! The
prayer of the Pharisee had no value, but the prayer of the publican was
heard in the courts above, because it showed dependence reaching forth
to lay hold of Omnipotence. Self was to the publican nothing but shame.
Thus it must be with all who seek God. Faith and prayer are the two arms
which the needy suppliant lays upon the neck of infinite Love....
We speak with Jesus Christ as we walk by the way, and He says, “I
am at thy right hand.” We may walk in daily companionship with Christ.
When we breathe out our desire, it may be inaudible to any human ear,
but that word cannot die away into silence nor can it be lost, though the
activities of business are going on. Nothing can drown the soul’s desire.
It rises above the din of the street, above the noise of machinery, to the
heavenly courts. It is God to whom we are speaking, and the prayer is
heard. Ask then; “Ask, and it shall be given you.”
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