Privilege of Prayer
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pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” and yet indulge
an unforgiving spirit?
Matthew 6:12
. If we expect our own prayers to
be heard we must forgive others in the same manner and to the same
extent as we hope to be forgiven.
Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving.
We must pray always if we would grow in faith and experience. We
are to be “instant in prayer,” to “continue in prayer, and watch in the
same with thanksgiving.”
Romans 12:12
;
Colossians 4:2
. Peter exhorts
believers to be “sober, and watch unto prayer.”
1 Peter 4:7
. Paul directs,
“In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6
. “But ye, beloved,”
says Jude, “praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of
God.”
Jude 20, 21
. Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul
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with God, so that life from God flows into our life; and from our life,
purity and holiness flow back to God.
There is necessity for diligence in prayer; let nothing hinder you.
Make every effort to keep open the communion between Jesus and
your own soul. Seek every opportunity to go where prayer is wont to
be made. Those who are really seeking for communion with God will
be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty and earnest and
anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain. They will improve every
opportunity of placing themselves where they can receive the rays of
light from heaven.
We should pray in the family circle, and above all we must not
neglect secret prayer, for this is the life of the soul. It is impossible
for the soul to flourish while prayer is neglected. Family or public
prayer alone is not sufficient. In solitude let the soul be laid open to
the inspecting eye of God. Secret prayer is to be heard only by the
prayer-hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of such
petitions. In secret prayer the soul is free from surrounding influences,
free from excitement. Calmly, yet fervently, will it reach out after
God. Sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from Him
who seeth in secret, whose ear is open to hear the prayer arising from
the heart. By calm, simple faith the soul holds communion with God
and gathers to itself rays of divine light to strengthen and sustain it in
the conflict with Satan. God is our tower of strength.
Pray in your closet, and as you go about your daily labor let your
heart be often uplifted to God. It was thus that Enoch walked with
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