I fear our faith in God is not nearly so strong as we would like others to think. For all the talk there is about it there is not much evidence. And of all the ways in which our faith failure is revealed I suspect it is most evident in regards to prayer. Although given exceeding great and precious promises most refuse to pray as they should. James Smith wrote the following to encourage his church to pray–perhaps it will ignite a passion to pray in your heart.
“This is the word of Jesus to us this morning; it is intended to encourage and embolden us at the throne of grace, and to comfort us under all our privations and wants. Jesus has all power in heaven and in earth; all things are delivered unto Him by the Father. He has a large store, and a kind and tender heart. Let us therefore go to Him with our wants, that He may supply them; with our fears, that He may quell them; with our sins, that He may pardon and subdue them; with every thing that troubles us, or is likely to harm us. Let us go to Him with confidence. He says, What wilt thou that I shall do for thee? If you ask any thing that will do you good, promote My cause, or glorify My name, I WILL DO IT. Be not afraid to ask, for I am omnipotent; do not doubt, for I give you My word, I WILL DO IT. Oh, believer, what a friend is Jesus! how kind! how gracious! Never complain, never despond, never be cast down, while Jesus is thy FRIEND. He is, and will be thy friend for ever. Oh, make a friend of Him! Visit Him daily; trust Him implicitly; and follow Him fully. Make Him your all in all. He is worthy. He will not deceive. It is impossible for Him to lie.”
Jesus, my Lord, I look to Thee;
Where else can helpless sinners go?
Thy boundless love shall set me free
From all my wretchedness and woe.
