Jesus said in John 13:7, “If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.” Both the power and pattern of prayer are contained in that verse. Prayer is to an unlimited God, and needs to be presented by a submissive, Scripture-abiding servant of God. Thomas Benton Brooks was on target when he wrote: “If you would have God hear you when you pray, you must hear Him when He speaks.”¹
John Bunyan stated it well: “Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised.” (p. 338). Note I Corinthians 14:15; Romans 8:26,27.
Also, meditate on the words of G. Ashton Oldham: “Prayer is the chief agency and activity whereby men align themselves with God’s purpose. Prayer does not consist in battering the walls of heaven for personal benefits or the success of ourplans. Rather it is the committing of ourselves for the carrying out of His purposes. It is a telephone call to headquarters for orders. It is not bending God’s will to ours, but our wills to God’s. In prayer, we tap vast reservoirs of spiritual power whereby God can find fuller entrance into the hearts of men.” (p. 345). Note Matthew 26:36-42.
Isn’t it good that prayer does connect us with a power and perception much greater than our own? As Eliza M. Hickok stated:
“I know not by what methods rare,
But this I know: God answers prayer.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the guise I thought.
I leave my prayer to Him alone
Whose will is wiser than my own.” (p. 341)
(Note II Corinthians 3:4,5)
It is as Edwin Keith wrote: “Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.” (p. 341). To fully grasp what that means, read Ephesians 3;20,21.
Therefore, when you are faced with your weaknesses and limitations, keep in mind the words of Fred Beck in Evangelical Beacon: “If you are swept off your feet, it’s time to get on your knees.” (p. 337). Carefully read II Corinthians 12:7-10.
¹ The quotes in this article all come from one source: Frank S. Mead, 12,000 Inspirational Quotations, A Division of Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, Springfield, Massachusetts, 2000, p. 338. Therefore, only the page will be listed for the other quotations.