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“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”
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The Wonderful Privilege of Prayer
The Saviour explained that the secret of their success would be
in asking for strength and grace in His name. The prayer of the
humble suppliant He presents before the Father as His own desire in
that soul’s behalf. Sincere prayer may not be fluently expressed, but
it will ascend to the sanctuary where Jesus ministers. He will present
it to the Father without one awkward, stammering word, fragrant
with the incense of His own perfection.
The path of sincerity and integrity is not free from obstruction,
but in every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer. “Whatsoever
ye shall ask in My name,” said Jesus, “that will I do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I
will do it.”
In Christ’s name His followers are to stand before God. Be-
cause of the imputed righteousness of Christ they are accounted
precious. The Lord does not see in them the vileness of the sinner.
He recognizes in them the likeness of His Son, in whom they believe.
The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate
on themselves. God wanted them, else He would not have sent His
Son on such an expensive errand to redeem them. He is well pleased
when they make the very highest demands on Him, that they may
glorify His name. They may expect large things if they have faith in
His promises.
But to pray in Christ’s name means that we are to accept His
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character, manifest His spirit, and work His works. The Saviour
saves men, not in sin, but from sin; and those who love Him show
their love by obedience.
All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with
Christ. And if we consent, He will so blend our hearts and minds
in conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but
carrying out our own impulses. The will finds its highest delight in
doing His service. Our life will be a life of continual obedience. Sin
will become hateful to us.
As Christ lived the law in humanity, so we may do if we will take
hold of the Strong for strength. But we cannot depend for counsel
on humanity. The Lord will teach us our duty just as willingly as He
will teach somebody else. If we come to Him in faith, He will speak