In Prayer

O Lord, in prayer I launch far out into the eternal world, and on that broad ocean my soul triumphs over all evils on the shores of mortality. Time, with its gay amusements and cruel disappointments never appears so inconsiderate as then.

In prayer I see myself as nothing; I find my heart going after Thee with intensity, and long with vehement thirst to live to Thee. Blessed be the strong gales of the Spirit that speed me on my way to the New Jerusalem.

In prayer all things here below vanish, and nothing seems important but holiness of heart and the salvation of others.

In prayer all my worldly cares, fears, anxieties disappear, and are of as little significance as a puff of wind.

In prayer my soul inwardly exults with lively thoughts at what Thou art doing for Thy church, and I long that Thou shouldest get Thyself a great name from sinners returning to Zion.

In prayer I am lifted above the frowns and flatteries of life, and taste heavenly joys; entering into the eternal world I can give myself to Thee with all my heart, to be Thine for ever.

In prayer I can place all my concerns in Thy hands, to be entirely at Thy disposal, having no will or interest of my own.

In prayer I can intercede for my friends, ministers, sinners, the church, Thy kingdom to come, with greatest freedom, ardent hopes, as a son to his father, as a lover to the beloved.

Help me to be all prayer and never to cease praying.

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I was reflecting this morning on my need for God's Spirit in my life and was led to think about my prayer life. I found great encouragement in the things that Jesus taught on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) and in this writing on prayer from the Valley of Vision. If you do not own this book I encourage you to get a copy. The language forces you to read slowly, but it is worth it.

I was convicted today as I prayed of what I will call the sin of Simon. In Acts 8 Simon say the power of the Spirit working through the Apostles and offered them money (v. 18-19). Peter rebuked him severely. I have never thought of myself as committing this terrible wrong, but today I realized it is the same thing to desire and ask God for the powerful working of his Spirit for self-centered reasons. How foolish we are!

God, make us more concerned about your glory through our lives than our glory. Make us more concerned about your Spirit being grieved than our own grief. Help us truly be led by the Spirit, and not try to just "lead with the Spirit"--it won't work. Take control!

Father, make us most concerned about "holiness of heart and the salvation of others." We get so distracted by the things of this world and the everyday tasks that we must do. Yet, we realize that the tasks you have for us are primarily a means for our sanctification and that others will encounter you through us.