Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

May 24– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“May God be blessed, for he has not turned away my prayer.” 

—Psalm 66:20

 

In looking back upon the character of our prayers, if we do it honestly, we will be filled with wonder that God has ever answered them. There may be some who think their prayers are worthy of acceptance, as the Pharisee did, but the more informed Christian weeps over his prayers, and, if he could retrace his steps, he would desire to pray more earnestly.

Think for a moment, dear Christian, how cold your prayers have been. You should have wrestled with God, as Jacob did, seeking his blessing. Instead, your petitions have been faint and few– far removed from that humble, believing, persevering faith that cries, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Even so, and this is wonderful to say, God has heard these cold prayers of yours and has answered them.

Think also of how infrequent your prayers have been— unless, of course, you have been in trouble; then you may have gone more often to the mercy-seat. But when deliverance came you stopped praying. And yet, even though you have stopped praying as you should, God has not stopped blessing you. Although you have neglected the mercy-seat, God has not deserted it but continues to display his glory.

It is marvelous that the Lord is willing to hear the prayers of those who come to him when they have pressing wants but neglect him when they have received a mercy– who approach him when they are forced to come but almost forget to address him when mercies are plentiful and sorrows are few.

Let his gracious kindness in hearing such prayers touch our hearts so that we may from now on be found “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” [M&E]