PRAYER

^[p. 524] PRAYER

There are two great elements in prayer, one, that I have a sense of my own need, and the other, that the blessed God has both the power and goodness to help me. These two can never be absent from real prayer, though there are many other benefits acquired in prayer. Prayer is the opposite of the self-reliance which was engendered at the fall. It is the language of conversion. Thus, the proof that Saul of Tarsus is converted is, “Behold, he prayeth” (Acts 9: 11). Confidence in the blessed God is awakened in the heart, a sense that there is goodness in Him. Thus, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5: 8). The sight of Jesus on the cross awakened confidence in the heart of the thief, and he prayed unto Him, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23: 42). It is according as there is confidence in God awakened in my soul, and a sense of my own inability to cope with my difficulties, that I turn to God.

Now when there is a real turning to God, I not only get help as to the matter which led me to turn to Him, but, because I have drawn nigh unto Him, I am enlightened by the mere fact of drawing nigh. The occasion of my prayer may bear no resemblance to the gain I acquire in praying. The prodigal comes to ask his father for much less than the grace of the father gives; and this he learns on coming to him. In like manner the thief prays for a much less blessing than that which he received. He asks to be remembered in the kingdom, and the Lord tells him that he should be with Him in paradise that day. When I have a sense that I have nothing in myself, I come to the blessed One who has everything to give. The distance between man and God, as to God’s greatness, and in every way, is immeasurable, and therefore drawing near to Him must in itself confer on me untold advantages. His grace is,

“^[p. 525] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4: 8). Hence, the very coming to Him ensures to me the greatest gain - for I get the sense of what He is.

We may divide prayer into three parts: first, private prayer, or prayer for oneself; secondly, prayer for others, or the Lord’s work; and thirdly, prayer in the assembly.