Spurgeon: May AM
* 05/24/AM
"Blessed be God, which hath nor turned away my prayer."
--Psalm 66:20
In looking back upon the character of our prayers, if we do
it honestly, we shall be filled with wonder that God has ever
answered them. There may be some who think their prayers
worthy of acceptance--as the Pharisee did; but the true
Christian, in a more enlightened retrospect, weeps over his
prayers, and if he could retrace his steps he would desire to
pray more earnestly. Remember, Christian, how cold thy
prayers have been. When in thy closet thou shouldst have
wrestled as Jacob did; but instead thereof, thy petitions have
been faint and few--far removed from that humble, believing,
persevering faith, which cries, "I will not let Thee go except
Thou bless me." Yet, wonderful to say, God has heard these cold
prayers of thine, and not only heard, but answered them.
Reflect also, how infrequent have been thy prayers, unless
thou hast been in trouble, and then thou hast gone often to the
mercy-seat: but when deliverance has come, where has been thy
constant supplication? Yet, notwithstanding thou hast ceased to
pray as once thou didst, God has not ceased to bless. When thou
hast neglected the mercy-seat, God has not deserted it, but the
bright light of the Shekinah has always been visible between the
wings of the cherubim. Oh! it is marvellous that the Lord should
regard those intermittent spasms of importunity which come and
go with our necessities. What a God is He thus to hear the
prayers of those who come to Him when they have pressing wants,
but neglect Him when they have received a mercy; who approach
Him when they are forced to come, but who almost forget to
address Him when mercies are plentiful and sorrows are few. Let
His gracious kindness in hearing such prayers touch our hearts,
so that we may henceforth be found "Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit."