Prayer

Earnest, fervent prayer is needed, not feeble, heartless prayers—There is need
of prayer,—most earnest, fervent, agonizing prayer,—such prayer as David offered
when he exclaimed: “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my
soul after Thee, O God.”“I have longed after Thy precepts;”“I have longed for Thy
salvation.”“My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart
and my flesh crieth out for the living God.”“My soul breaketh for the longing that
it hath unto Thy judgments.” This is the spirit of wrestling prayer, such as was
possessed by the royal psalmist.
Daniel prayed to God, not exalting himself or claiming any goodness: “O Lord,
hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my
God.” This is what James calls the effectual, fervent prayer. Of Christ it is said: “And
being in an agony He prayed more earnestly.” In what contrast to this intercession by
the Majesty of heaven are the feeble, heartless prayers that are offered to God. Many
are content with lip service, and but few have a sincere, earnest, affectionate longing
after God.—(Testimonies for the Church 4:534.)
Prevailing prayer does not have to include tears and struggles—There are
many souls who wrestle for special victories and special blessings that they may
do some great thing. To this end they are always feeling that they must make an
agonizing struggle in prayer and tears. When these persons search the Scriptures with
prayer to know the expressed will of God, and then do His will from the heart without
one reservation or self-indulgence, they will find rest. All the agonizing, all the tears
and struggles, will not bring them the blessing they long for. Self must be entirely
surrendered. They must do the work that presents itself, appropriating the abundance
of the grace of God which is promised to all who ask in faith.—(Testimonies for the
Church 9:165.)
Fervent, constant prayer is a necessity—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.
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