The idea that everything would happen exactly as it does regardless of whether we pray or not is a specter that haunts the minds of many who sincerely profess belief in God. It makes prayer psychologically impossible, replacing it with dead ritual at best
– David Brainerd –
Brother, pray; in spite of Satan, pray; spend hours in prayer; rather neglect friends than not pray; rather fast, and lose breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper-and sleep too-than not pray. And we must not talk about prayer, we must pray in right earnest. The Lord is near. He comes softly while the virgins slumber.
– Andrew Bonar –
Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.
– John Bunyan –
God’s command to “pray without ceasing” is founded on the necessity we have of his grace to preserve the life of God in the Soul, which can no more subsist one moment without it, than the body can without air.
– John Wesley –
My Daddy conversed with me sweetly about communion with the lord as we rode on our horses through the bushes today. My Mother came out of her prayer closet and her face was shining like the face of Moses as it is everyday when she’s been alone with God.
– AW Tozer –
AW Tozer quoting a letter from Johnathan Edward’s daughter (Esther Edwards) to a friend at 9 years of age.
So many of us limit our praying because we are not reckless in our confidence in God.
– Oswald Chambers –
There is a real danger of worshipping prayer instead of praying because we worship. It is easy to do if we lose sight of our Lord and put the emphasis not on His command but on the thing that He commands.
– Oswald Chambers –
from If You Will Ask
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)
It is significant that the Lord thought it necessary to repeat the truth in so many forms. It proves that He knows our hearts, how doubt and distrust toward God are natural to us, and how easily we are inclined to rest in prayer as a religious duty without expecting an answer.
– Andrew Murray –
from Teach Me To Pray
Through consistent daily prayer, my whole life becomes devoted to my King and to the service of His kingdom.
– Andrew Murray –