PRAYER EXPORTS NEEDS & IMPORTS BLESSINGS

"Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." -Luke 18:1 [KJV]

Then, there can be no room for despair; for prayer exports wants, and imports blessings. But our dear Lord knows, there is in us, at all times, a backwardness to prayer; this He would remove. It arises from fainting; this He would prevent. Therefore He opposes prayer to fainting; for fainting prevents praying. Have you not found it so? When weary and faint in your mind, when your spirits are oppressed, your frame low and languid, you have thought, this is not a time for prayer. Yea, but it is. 

Pray always. Now, sigh out the burden of your heart and the sorrows of your spirit; now, though in broken accents, breathe your complaints into your Father’s ear; now, cry to Him who loveth you, and careth for you with the love and care of the most affectionate parent. What makes us faint? Do troubles and afflictions? here is a reviving cordial: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15.) 

Does a body of sin and death? here is a supporting promise: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Jesus, shall be saved” (Romans 10:13.) Do we faint, because we have called and prayed again and again to the Lord against any besetting sin, prevailing temptation, rebellious lust, or evil temper: and yet the Lord has not given victory over it? Still, says the Lord, pray always; persevere; be importunate; faint not. Remember that blessed word, “My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready” (John 7:6.) “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41.) 

Note the difference between being tempted, and entering into temptation. We are assured, “in due time we shall reap if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9.) Do we find the spirit willing, but the flesh weak? and, because of our coldness, deadness, and languor in prayer, do we faint? You cannot pray to please yourself: you think your prayers irksome to God; and therefore do you faint, and are ready to give over praying? 

Look at David; he begins to pray in a very heartless, hopeless way.—“How long wilt Thou forget me, O LORD! for ever?” etc. See how he concludes: he breaks out in full vigour of soul.—“I will sing unto the LORD; for He hath dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13.) Above all, look to Jesus, Who ever lives to pray for you: look for His Spirit, to help your infirmities. See Romans 8:26.

 

Pray’r is the work of strongest saints, 

Of miserable sinners too; 

Whene’er our feeble spirit faints, 

May we by pray’r learn what to do.

Pray always, soul; why should thou faint? 

Know, Christ thy strength and righteousness: 

Come to His throne, tell Him thy want, 

And He with joy and peace will bless.

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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