prayer

"...No doubt by praying we learn to pray, and the more we pray the oftener we can pray, and the better we can pray. He who prays in fits and starts is never likely to attain to that effectual, fervent prayer which availeth much. Great power in prayer is within our reach, but we must go to work to obtain it.

Let us never imagine that Abraham could have interceded so successfully for Sodom if he had not been all his lifetime in the practice of communion with God.

Jacob's all-night at Peniel was not the first occasion upon which he had met his God. We may even look upon our Lord's most choice and wonderful prayer with his disciples before His Passion as the flower and fruit of His many nights of devotion, and of His often rising up a great while before day to pray.

If a man dreams that he can become mighty in prayer just as he pleases, he labors under a great mistake. The prayer of Elias which shut up heaven and afterwards opened its floodgates, was one of long series of mighty prevailings with God. Oh, that Christian men would remember this! Perseverance in prayer is necessary to prevalence in prayer.

Those great intercessors, who are not so often mentioned as they ought to be in connection with confessors and martyrs, were nevertheless the grandest benefactors of the church; but it was only by abiding at the mercy-seat that they attained to be such channels of mercy to men.

We must pray to pray, and continue in prayer that our prayers may continue..."

C. H. Spurgeon

Our church is hosting a conference this June with Robin Mark, the Irish worship leader, and his pastor, Paul Reid, a dynamic and challenging speaker. The theme of the conference is "Revival in Belfast" - an interesting connection as Robin Mark comes from Belfast, Northern Ireland and we live in Belfast PEI. :)

As part of our preparation, we are participating in prayer walks all over the eastern end of the Island. It is wonderful to see the map of the Island being traced over as more and more of our communities are being covered with prayer.

For a number of years we have been praying and asking the Lord to send revival - a revival that will sweep this Island from tip to tip and change the course of our history just as revivals in the past have changed people groups and nations. We are daily encouraged by Him and so are strengthened in our purpose and resolve to pray until He gives what He has promised.

I am so glad to be alive at this very moment in history - so glad to know Him who holds the power of life in His hands - so glad to join with Him as He works to bring about His will in this place and in the world.

Brother Lawrence wrote "There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God".

I long for that - a continual conversation - I am not there yet, but it's my prayer.













Think of me walking along these lovely Island roads, and pray for me, as I will for you, that we may learn to "be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 2 Thess. 5:16-18


ps
For those of you who want to enliven and deepen your prayer life I reccommend this site Prayer Today Online - a rich resource that "exists to train God-hungry people in the disciplines of prayer."