I read this passage from Edwards M Bounds work, The Possibilities of Prayer this morning. Thought you might need to hear it also.
“Prayer is not an indifferent or small thing. It is not a sweet little privilege. It is a great prerogative, far reaching in its effects. Failure to pray entails losses far beyond the person who neglects it. Prayer is not a mere episode of the Christian life. Rather the whole life is a preparation for and the result of prayer. In its condition, prayer is the sum of religion. Faith is but a channel of prayer. Faith gives it wings and swiftness. Prayer is the lungs through which holiness breathes. Prayer is not only the language of spiritual life, but makes its very essence and forms its real character.”
I wondered as I read this how my life might be different today had I realized the importance of prayer earlier in my life. What differences my prayer life might have made in the lives of others I have known or worked with. And while reflection is good, for me it prompts the prayer, “Lord, don’t let me waste today not praying.” I liked that analogy…”prayer is the lungs through which holiness breathes.” It would seem too many in our world have spiritual emphysema.
Well said! That line about the lungs jumped at me too! What a privilege it is to be able to communicate with our "FRIEND" any time or any place. For us, it's a life style. I live on a prayer and without it I would cease, just as we would cease to live if we stopped taking in air to our lungs! Chuck wrote that one down with his many words of wisdom!
ReplyDeleteHow is Chuck doing? Anna & Bella have been praying for his speedy recovery...last week was a reading night at their school and Anna said she missed Chuck there as the Cat in a Hat! they had Chef Readaroni.
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