Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–
October 11– Morning
by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff
“Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”
—Lamentations 3:41
The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness– which is a very important lesson to learn by such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favors without constraining us to pray for them, we should never know how poor we are; but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalog of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty. Since it is a request for Divine wealth, it is a confession of human emptiness. The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for supplies; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus; weak as water personally but mighty through God to do great things. Prayer adores God and lays the creature where it should be– in the very dust.
There is benefit in prayer, then, not merely because of the answer it receives but because of the very process itself. Like the runner who gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so we acquire energy for the great race of life by the holy work of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God’s young eaglets so they can learn to soar above the clouds. Prayer prepares God’s soldiers for battle and sends them forth to combat in good shape. The one who has spent time pleading with God comes out of his closet like the sun arises from the chambers of the east, rejoicing like a strong man to run his race. Prayer is that uplifted hand of Moses that routs the Amalekites more than the sword of Joshua; it is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet warning the Syrians of defeat. Prayer wraps human weakness with divine strength, turns human foolishness into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled minds the peace of God.
We don’t know of anything prayer can’t do! And we thank you, O great God, for this place of mercy which is a choice proof of your marvelous loving-kindness. Help us to use it in the right way throughout this day! [M&E]
