Chapter 41—Getting Into the Spirit of Prayer

BIBLE GEM

“He shall pray unto God, and He will be favorable unto him: and he shall see His face with joy: for He will render unto man His righteousness.”—Job 33:26CWG 98.1

QUESTION

So often it is difficult to pray! How can a person get into the spirit of prayer?CWG 98.2

ANSWER

Placed in the presence of God: “Prayer, whether offered in the public assembly, at the family altar, or in secret, places man directly in the presence of God.”—My Life Today, 18CWG 98.3

A time set for meditation and prayer: “We, too, must have times set apart for meditation and prayer and for receiving spiritual refreshing. We do not value the power and efficacy of prayer as we should. Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish.”—The Ministry of Healing, 509CWG 98.4

Set a place where one can be alone with God: “Have a place for secret prayer. Jesus had select places for communion with God, and so should we. We need often to retire to some spot, however humble, where we can be alone with God.CWG 98.5

“In the secret place of prayer, where no eye but God's can see, no ear but His can hear, we may pour out our most hidden desires and longings.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 84CWG 98.6

Reading the Bible prepares the mind for prayer: “Prayer, oh, how is this precious privilege neglected! The reading of the Word of God prepares the mind for prayer.... Prayer is the strength of the Christian. When alone he is not alone; he feels the presence of One who has said: ‘Lo, I am with you alway.’ ”—Testimonies For The Church 1:504CWG 98.7

“We should come with reverence to the study of the Bible, feeling that we are in the presence of God.... Every student, as he opens the Scriptures, should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit; and the promise is sure, that it will be given.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 107, 108CWG 99.1

Song a weapon against discouragement: “Let praise and thanksgiving be expressed in song. When tempted, instead of giving utterance to our feelings, let us by faith lift up a song of thanksgiving to God.CWG 99.2

“Song is a weapon that we can always use against discouragement.”—The Ministry of Healing, 254CWG 99.3

Thinking of and praising God: “If we would but think of God as often as we have evidence of His care for us we should keep Him ever in our thoughts and should delight to talk of Him and to praise Him.”—Steps to Christ, 102CWG 99.4

What to do when we don't want to pray: “When we feel the least inclined to commune with Jesus, let us pray the most. By so doing we shall break Satan's snare, the clouds of darkness will disappear, and we shall realize the sweet presence of Jesus.”—Historical Sketches, 146CWG 99.5

SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT

The devil will do anything and everything to keep us from lengthy periods of time in prayer. He will keep us so busy with TV and other entertainment, to make sure that our time is wasted and we have no time to spend with God. Or else the forces of darkness will involve us in arguments and contentions, and complaining and murmuring and criticizing, and by those things negate the desire to pray.CWG 99.6

We need to find a quiet place where we regularly go to communicate with Heaven. This is where alone with God we open our heart and mind and lay our burdens down, ask for help, seek for wisdom, guidance, and for the reanointing of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. Let us pray, magnify, glorify, adore, and worship the Lord in prayer and songs of thanksgiving.CWG 99.7

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise His holy name.CWG 99.8