Morning & Evening Devotional Reading

January 2–Morning

by C. H. Spurgeon, Revised and Edited by W. C. Neff

“Continue in prayer.”

—Colossians 4:2

It is interesting to note how much of Sacred Scripture is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read that “men began to call upon the name of the Lord.” Here we find a wrestling Jacob, there a Daniel who prayed three times a day, and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elijah; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands and myriads of promises.

What does this teach us but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows how desperately we need it. Until we are in heaven, we must not cease to pray.

Don’t you want anything more? If not, then I’m afraid you don’t know how poor you are! Do you have no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show you your misery! A prayer-less soul is a Christ-less soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honor of a Christian.

If you are a child of God, you will seek your Father’s face and live in your Father’s love. The motto for this year must be: “Continue in prayer.” [M&E]