A Life-Long Business

Praying is a business, a life-long business, one to be followed with diligence, fervor and work. The Christian’s business by way of preeminence is prayer. It is their most engaging, most heavenly, most lucrative business. Prayer is a business of such high and deserved dignity and import that it is to be followed “without ceasing.” That is, with no let up nor break down, followed industriously and without intermission. To prayer we are to give it all our strength. It must cover all things, be in every place, find itself in all seasons, and embrace everything, always, and everywhere.

According to Paul, “supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks” all these elements of prayer and forms of prayer are to be offered for people. Prayer is offered for things, for all things, for all earthly good, and for all spiritual good and grace, but in these directions Paul raises to the highest results and purposes of prayer. We are to be affected by prayer. Their good, their character, conduct and destiny are all involved in prayer. In this regard prayer moves along the highest way, and pursues its loftiest end. We are mindful and in agreement with things, with blessings, and bestowments, with matters and things that touch people, but people themselves are here set forth as the objects of prayer. This broadens and elevates prayer. People, through the whole sweep and range of their conditions, are to be held in the mighty grasp of prayer.

Prayer is the true test of character. Faithfulness to our conditions and trueness to our relations are often evinced by our prayerfulness. Some conditions give birth to prayer. They are the soil which germinates and perfects prayer. To pray under some circumstances seems very fitting. Not to pray in some conditions seems heartless and harsh. In the great storms of life, when we are helpless and without relief, the natural and advantageous condition is that we can go to our Father in prayer.

One of Paul’s striking injunctions worthy of study is this one, “continuing instant in prayer,” or as the Revised Version reads, “Continuing steadfast in prayer,” which is his description of prayer. The term means to wait, to remain, to be steadfast and faithful in prayer, to stick it out, to stay at it with strength to the end, to give attention to it with vigor, devotion and constancy, to give constant care to it.

So then, what is your business today? Does it require prayer? Continuing steadfast prayer?