CULTIVATE A LIFE OF PRAYER

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). The key to constancy in prayer is love. The welcome we give our Lord is as warm and genuine as the depth of our affection. Duty turns prayer into conversation with oneself. Devotion gives rise to a yearning to be near the one loved – to walk in intimate and unbroken communion. Love cries, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God" (Ps. 42:1). Life is filled with earthly things and earthly desires. We may not intentionally forget the Lord. But too often the crowded ways of life blot Him out until emergencies come. We need to steadfastly release our minds from excessive social obligations and free ourselves from idle indulgences if we would overcome this temptation. We must constantly resist the devil and flee into God's presence. He reminds us in His Word that we "should always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1). The shortest path to sustained prayer is by way of a thankful heart. Such prayers may not even depend on the vehicle of words. The deepest gratitude stirs the soul to silent and reverent homage for God's amazing love, His gracious mercy, and His tender care. -Selected