The longer I live, the older I get, the more I struggle and observe others bearing their heavy burdens, the more I study God’s Word the more I realize the importance of prayer. We can’t survive and thrive without it. Evidently James Smith was feeling the same way when he wrote the following to his church in 1840:
“In prayer we must approach God as a Father, ask of Him what we really need, and expect to receive according to His wisdom and word. Our wants are constantly returning, therefore our prayers should be constantly ascending. The ear of God is always open. He is ever ready to listen to us. He invites, exhorts, and commands us to pray always, in everything. Every object that meets the eye, every circumstance that occurs, every employment in which we engage, would afford matter for prayer if properly viewed. The believer should acquire the habit of prayer. He should look up to his God for all he needs, through all he sees, whenever he has a moment to spare. The prayers of a Christian are pleasant to his God; He says, Let me hear thy voice, let me see thy countenance; for sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is comely. The believer should pray as naturally and as constantly as he breathes; for prayer is the breath of the soul. Beloved, if prayer dwindle into a mere duty, is but occasionally offered, or become burdensome, it is clear that you are in a most unhealthy state.”
Through the skies when the thunder is hurl’d,
The child to its parent will flee;
Thus, amid the rebukes of the world,
I turn, O my Father, to Thee;
The spirit of prayer in Thy mercy impart,
And take up Thy constant abode in my heart.
