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Guard Jealously Your Hours for Prayer, March 19
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after
thee, O God.
Psalm 42:1
.
He who is a citizen of the heavenly kingdom will be constantly looking
at things not seen. The power of earth over the mind and character is
broken. He has the abiding presence of the heavenly Guest, in accordance
with the promise, “I will love him, and will manifest myself to him”
(
John 14:21
). He walks with God as did Enoch, in constant communion....
Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders of the
people, Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity by prayer. In
order to be a blessing to men He must commune with God, pleading for
energy, perseverance, and steadfastness. Thus He showed His disciples
where His strength lay. Without this daily communion with God no
human being can gain power for service. It is the privilege of every one
to commit himself, with all his trials and temptations, his sorrows and
disappointments, to the loving heavenly Father. No one who does this,
who makes God his confidant, will fall a prey to the enemy.
“We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (
Hebrews 4:15,
16
)....
Guard jealously your hours for prayer and self-examination. Set apart
some portion of each day for a study of the Scriptures and communion
with God. Thus you will obtain spiritual strength and grow in grace and
favor with God. He alone can direct our thoughts aright. He alone can give
us noble aspirations and fashion our characters after the divine similitude.
If we draw near to Him in earnest prayer, He will fill our hearts with high
and holy purposes and with deep, earnest longing for purity and cleanness
of thought....
He imparts the richest blessings to those who serve Him with a pure
heart. He teaches each one who opens the heart to His instruction and
obeys His voice.
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