Chapter 4—Fervent in Prayer

BIBLE GEM

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”—James 5:16CWG 16.1

QUESTION

How may we enter into the experience of fervent prayer?CWG 16.2

ANSWER

Fervent, constant prayer: “If the Saviour of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent, constant prayer.CWG 16.3

“Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love. What a wonder it is that we pray so little! God is ready and willing to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children....CWG 16.4

“Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence?”—Steps to Christ, 94, 95CWG 16.5

Pray in faith: “Faith is not feeling.... True faith is in no sense allied to presumption. Only he who has true faith is secure against presumption, for presumption is Satan's counterfeit of faith....CWG 16.6

“To talk of religion in a casual way, pray without soul-hunger and living faith, avails nothing....CWG 16.7

“Man hold faith as an opinion. But saving faith is a transaction, by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.”—Gospel Workers, 260, 261CWG 16.8

The value of persistent asking: “God does not say, Ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us ask. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks....CWG 17.1

“But many have not a living faith. This is why they do not see more of the power of God.... They plan and devise, but pray little, and have little real trust in God. They think they have faith, but it is only the impulse of the moment. Failing to realize their own need, or God's willingness to give, they do not persevere in keeping their requests before the Lord.CWG 17.2

“Our prayers are to be as earnest and persistent as was the petition of the needy friend who asked for the loaves at midnight. The more earnestly and steadfastly we ask, the closer will be our spiritual union with Christ.”—Christ's Object Lessons, 145, 146CWG 17.3

Satan loses the battle: “If Satan sees that he is in danger of losing one soul, he will exert himself to the utmost to keep that one.... But if the one in danger perseveres, and in his helplessness casts himself upon the merits of the blood of Christ, our Saviour listens to the earnest prayer of faith, and sends a reinforcement of those angels that excel in strength to deliver him. Satan cannot endure to have his powerful rival appealed to, for he fears and trembles before His strength and majesty. At the sound of fervent prayer, Satan's whole host trembles.”—Testimonies For The Church 1:345, 346CWG 17.4

SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT

Loving Jesus, so many of us are almost faithless and unbelieving. We have very limited living faith in a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering and miracle-working God. And as a result, we see so little of the mighty hand of God demonstrated in power in the midst of us.CWG 17.5

How comforting, encouraging and faith building to read about Your example. You have regularly, earnestly and fervently prayed to the Father and proved Your sincerity by valuing prayer more than sleep.CWG 17.6

Please help us by Your Spirit to know what it means to experience constant, unwavering, persistent, servant, earnest and sincere prayer expressed in words of faith.CWG 17.7

Persevering prayer of faith will unquestionably move the mighty hand of God. Let us so pray that we may have the privilege to rejoice in seeing the prayer-hearing prayer-answering and mighty miracle-working God work his wonders in and through us.CWG 18.1