The reality of prayerBounds, Edward M. (Edward McKendree)
Religion
The reality of prayer
Bounds, Edward M. (Edward McKendree)
Jesus Christ -- Prayers; Prayer -- Christianity
The Old Testament saints had been taught that “God had magnified his
word above all his name.” New Testament saints must learn fully how to
exalt by perfect obedience that Word issuing from the lips of Him who is
the Word. Praying ones under Christ must learn what praying ones under
Moses had already learned, that “man shall not live by bread alone, but
by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” The life of
Christ flowing through us and the words of Christ living in us, these
give potency to prayer. They breathe the spirit of prayer, and make the
body, blood and bones of prayer. Then it is Christ praying in me and
through me, and all things which “I will” are the will of God. My will
becomes the law and the answer, for it is written “Ye shall ask what ye
will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Fruit bearing our Lord puts to the front in our praying:
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you,
that ye shall go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit shall
remain, that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he
may give it you.”
Barrenness cannot pray. Fruit bearing capacity and reality only can
pray. It is not past fruitfulness, but present: “That your fruit should
remain.” Fruit, the product of life, is the condition of praying. A life
vigourous enough to bear fruit, much fruit, is the condition and the
source of prayer. “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name,
he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask and
ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” “In that day ye shall ask
me nothing.” It is not solving riddles, not revealing mysteries, not
curious questionings. This is not our attitude, not our business under
the Dispensation of the Spirit, but to pray, and to pray largely. Much
true praying increases man’s joy and God’s glory.
“Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, I will give,” says Christ, and the
Father will give. Both Father and Son are pledged to give the very
things for which we ask. But the condition is “in His name.” This does
not mean that His name is talismanic, to give value by magic. It does
not mean that His name in beautiful settings of pearl will give value to
prayer. It is not that His name perfumed with sentiment and larded in
and closing up our prayers and doings will do the deed. How fearful the
statement: “Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name
done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” How blasting the doom
of these great workers and doers who claim to work in His name!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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