If you do not seem to get the fruit from this Tree by faith, shake it by prayer. “Oh!” you say, “I have been praying.” Yes, but a tree does not always drop its fruit at the first shake you give it. Shake it again, and then give it another shake! Sometimes, when the tree is loaded and is pretty firm in the earth, you have to shake it to and fro, and finally you have to plant your feet, get a firm hold of it, and shake it with all your might, until you strain every muscle and sinew, in order to get the fruit down. And that is the way to pray. Shake the Tree of Life until mercy drops into your lap.
– Charles Spurgeon –
from his book God Loves You