We Are Never as High as When We are On Our Knees in Real Prayer

Tip! So it is the same elsewhere in the Holy Bible (James 1:5) we have “asking” put into view as a prayer: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally, and upbraiding [scolding somebody] not, and it shall be given him.

Surely there is nothing as completely astonishing as a practically prayer-less Christian? These are eventful and ominous days. In fact, there are many evidences that these are "the last days" in which God promised to pour out His Spirit — the Spirit of supplication — upon all flesh (Joel 2:28). Yet the vast majority of professing Christians hardly know what "supplication" means; and very many of our churches not only have no prayer-meeting, but most of the time with no shame condemn such meetings, and even ridicule them.

Don't get me wrong, there are many churches that, recognizing the importance of worship and prayer, however the people expect the clergy to read prayers in Church every morning and evening. But when this is done, isn't it often in an empty church? And are not the prayers frequently raced through at a pace that prevents real worship? "Common prayer," at its best is to often said automatically and rather vague and unclear.

And what about those churches where the old-fashioned weekly prayer-meeting is retained? Would not "weakly" be the more appropriate word? C. H. Spurgeon had the joy of being able to say that he conducted a prayer-meeting every Monday night "which scarcely ever numbers less than from a thousand to twelve hundred attendants."

My brothers and sisters, have we ceased to believe in prayer? If you still hold your weekly gathering for prayer, is it not a fact that the very great majority of your church members never come near it? Yes, and never even think of coming near it. Why is this? Whose fault is it?

"Only a prayer-meeting" — how often we have heard this remark!

How many of those reading these words really enjoy a prayer-meeting? Is it a joy or just a duty? Please forgive me for asking so many questions and for pointing out what appears to be a perilous weakness and a regrettable shortcoming in our churches. We are not out to criticize — far less to condemn. Anybody can do that. Our longing desire is to stir up Christians "to take hold of" God, as never before. We wish to encourage, to en-hearten, uplifting. We are never as high as when we are on our knees.

Tip! An effective prayer life can have a huge impact on not only our own individual life, but on the lives of those around us. Through prayer we can have an impact on our local community, our country and the world.

Criticize? Who dare criticize another? When we look back on the past and remember how much prayerlessness there has been in own life, words of criticism of others fade away on the lips. But we believe the time has come when a trumpet call to the individual and to the Church is needed — a call to prayer.