Prayer

There is no power like that of prevailing prayer – of Abraham pleading for

Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the

breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heartbroken with remorse

and grief, Jesus in sweat of blood. Such prayer prevails. It turns ordinary

mortals into men of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain.

It brings life. It brings God.

Samuel Chadwick

Prayer in its highest form of faith is that prayer which carries the whole

man as a sacrificial offering. Thus devoting the whole man himself, and

his all, to God in a definite, intelligent vow, never to be broken, in a

quenchless and impassioned desire for heaven.

E.M. Bounds (p498 TCW)

Success is certain when the Lord has promised it. Although you may have

pleaded month after month without evidence of answer, it is not possible

that the Lord should be deaf when His people are earnest in a matter which

concerns His glory. The prophet on the top of Carmel continued to wrestle

with God, and never for a moment gave way to a fear that he should be

non-suited in Jehovah's courts. Six times the servant returned, but on each

occasion no word was spoken but "Go again." We must not dream of

unbelief, but hold to our faith even to seventy times seven. Faith sends

expectant hope to look from Carmel's brow, and if nothing is beheld, she

sends again and again. So far from being crushed by repeated

disappointment, faith is animated to plead more fervently with her God.

She is humbled, but not abashed: her groans are deeper, and her sighings

more vehement, but she never relaxes her hold or stays her hand. It would

be more agreeable to flesh and blood to have a speedy answer, but

believing souls have learned to be submissive, and to find it good to wait

for as well as upon the Lord. Delayed answers often set the heart searching

itself, and so lead to contrition and spiritual reformation: deadly blows are

thus struck at our corruption, and the chambers of imagery are cleansed.

The great danger is lest men should faint, and miss the blessing. Reader,

do not fall into that sin, but continue in prayer and watching. At last the

little cloud was seen, the sure forerunner of torrents of rain, and even so

with you, the token for good shall surely be given, and you shall rise as a

prevailing prince to enjoy the mercy you have sought. Elijah was a man of

like passions with us: his power with God did not lie in his own merits. If

his believing prayer availed so much, why not yours? Plead the precious

blood with unceasing importunity, and it shall be with you according to

your desire.

Charles H. Spurgeon

He prays not at all who does not press his plea. Our praying needs to be

pressed and pursued with an energy that never tires, a persistency which

will not be denied, and a courage that never fails.

E.M. Bounds