Power in Prayer

My Bible study group is currently going through Wayne Mack's book, "Reaching the Ear of God; Praying More... And More Like Jesus" and it has been such a wonderful study. Challenging, eye opening, and convicting to say the least.

We're currently reading Chapter 11 and Mr. Mack shares some thoughts from Charles Spurgeon. After reading this quote, I had to share it. I am so in awe at how the Bible was relevant at it's beginning for the people of the day and is still completely relevant in 2012. And at how godly men such as Spurgeon can look at the world, as it was then, give a speech and still have those words resonate over 100 years later.

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Would it not be a vile crime if a man had an eye given him, which he would not open? Or a hand that he would not lift up, or a foot that grew stiff because he would not use it? And what must we say of ourselves when God has given us power and prayer, and yet that power lies still? Oh, if the universe was as still as we are, where would we be? Oh God, Thou hast given us light by the sun, and the sun shines with it. Thou hast given light even to the stars and they twinkle. To the winds, thou hast given force and they blow. And to the air, Thou hast given life and it moves, and men breathe thereof.


But to thy people, Thou hast given a gift that is better than force and life and light, and yet they permit it to lie still, forgetful almost that they wield the power, seldom exercising it though it would be blessed to countless myriads.


Weep, Christian man. Constantine, the emperor of Rome, saw that on the coins of the other emperors, their images were in an erect posture triumphing. Instead thereof, he ordered that his image should be struck kneeling for he said that's the way in which I have triumphed. We shall never triumph till our image is struck kneeling.


The reason we have been defeated and why or banners trail in the dust is because we have not prayer. Go, back to your God with sorrow, confess before Him that you were armed and carried bows but turned your backs on the day of battle. Go to your God and tell Him that if souls are not saved it is not because He has not power to save, but because you have never travailed as it were in birth, for perishing sinners. Wake up, wake up! Be astonished, ye careless ones! You who have neglected prayer, you sinners who have been at ease.


Wake up, wake up, yourselves! Wrestle and strive with your God, and then the blessing shall come. The early and the latter rain of His mercy and the earth shall bring forth plenteously, and all the nations shall call Him blessed. Look up and then weep.

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Oh, how that convicts my soul. Prayer is the most valuable and powerful tool that He has given me and yet I often fail to use it!

Lord, I pray that I would use the power you have given me to its fullest extent. That I would be more mindful, in prayer, not only of those around me and those connected to me but of those that are lost and need you. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

"The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting." Psalm 93:1-2