Though Christians of all people are thought to be selfless, what a tragic fact it is that most of us are so consumed with self and confidence in our self-absorbed kingdoms! And we go on in our pitiable lives of melancholy and depression seeking for even a sliver of light to cling upon. But why is it so? In your own life, dear believer? Has God suddenly ceased to become your Father? Has the Son suddenly ceased to become your dear beloved Friend, your perfect Savior? Has the Holy Spirit suddenly ceased from being your Comforter?
Alas! We look too much into self and too little to Sovereign Omnipotence! He who understands our most acute of sorrows. He who weeps and groans with us in our pains. Oh, and Him in whom is an endless ocean of inexpressible peace, comfort and joy!
Would you cast yourself to Him today, dear reader? Oh, if you would, then do this, PRAY!
“…Men ought always to Pray.”—Jesus, Luke 18:1
“I will that men pray everywhere.”—Paul, 1 Timothy 2:8I have a question to offer you. It is contained in three words,
DO YOU PRAY?
The question is one that none but you can answer. Whether you attend public worship or not, your minister knows. Whether you have family prayers or not your relations know. But whether you pray in private or not, is a matter between yourself and God.
I beseech you in all affections to attend to the subject I bring before you. Do not say that my question is too close. If your heart is right in the sight of God, there is nothing in it to make you afraid.
Do not turn off my question by replying that you say your prayers. It is one thing to say your prayers and another to pray. Do not tell me that my question is unnecessary. Listen to me for a few minutes, and I will show you good reason for asking it.
I. I ask whether you pray, because prayer is absolutely needful to a person’s salvation.
III. I ask whether you pray, because there is no duty in religion so neglected as private prayer.
V. I ask whether you pray, because diligence in prayer is the secret of eminent holiness.
VI. I ask whether you pray, because neglect of prayer is one of the greatest causes of backsliding.
VII. I ask, lastly, whether you pray because prayer is one of the best means of happiness and contentment.
We live in a world where sorrow abounds. This has always been the state since sin came in. There cannot be sin without sorrow. And until sin is driven out from the world, it is vain for any one to suppose they can escape sorrow.
Some without doubt have a larger cup of sorrow to drink than others. But few are to be found who live long without sorrows or cares of one sort or another. Our bodies, our property, our families, our children, our relations, our servants, our friends, our neighbours, our worldly callings, each and all of these are fountains of care. Sickness, deaths, losses, disappointments, partings, separations, ingratitude, slander, all these are common things. We cannot get through life without them. Some day or other they find us out. The greater are our affections the deeper are our afflictions, and the more we love the more we have to weep.
And what is the best means of cheerfulness in such a world as this? How shall we get through this valley of tears with the least pain? I know no better means than the habit of taking everything to God in prayer.
This is the plain advice that the Bible gives, both in the Old Testament and New. What says the Psalmist? “Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me.” Psalm 50:15. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22. What says the apostle Paul? “Be anxious for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let you requests be made know unto God: and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7. What says the apostle James: “Is any afflicted among you? let him pray.” James 5:13.
This was the practice of all the saints whose history we have recorded in the Scriptures. This is what Jacob did when he feared his brother Esau. this is what Moses did when the people were ready to stone him in the wilderness. This is what Joshua did when Israel was defeated before the men of Ai. This is what David did when he was in danger in Keliah. This what Hezekiah did when he received the letter from Sennacherib. This is what the church did when peter was put in prison. This is what Paul did when he was cast into the dungeon at Philippi.
The only way to really happy in such a world as this, is to ever casting all our cares on God. It is trying to carry their own burdens which so often makes believers sad. If they will tell their troubles to God, he will enable them to bear them as easily as Samson did the gates of Gaza. If they are resolved to keep them to themselves, they will one day find that the very grasshopper is a burden.
There is a friend ever waiting to help us, if we will unbosom to him our sorrows…
—a friend who pitied the poor and sick and sorrowful, when he was upon earth
—a friend who knows the heart of man, for he lived thirty-three years as a man among us-a friend who can weep with the weepers, for he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief
—a friend who is able to help us, for there never was earthly pain he could not cure.That friend is Jesus Christ. The way to be happy is to be always opening our hearts to him. Oh that we were all like that poor Christian slave who only answered when threatened and punished, “I must tell the Lord.”
Jesus can make those happy who trust him and call him, whatever be their outward condition.
He can give them…
peace of heart in a prison,
contentment in the midst of poverty,
comfort in the midst of bereavements,
joy on the brink of the grave.There is a mighty fullness that is ready to be poured out on every one that will ask in prayer. Oh that people would understand that happiness does not depend on outward circumstances, but on the state of the heart.
Prayer can lighten crosses for us, however heavy. It can bring down to our side One who will help us to bear them.
Prayer can open a door for us when our way seems hedged up. It can bring down One who will say, “This is the way, walk in it.”
Prayer can let in a ray of hope when all our earthly prospects seem darkened. It can bring down One who will say, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Prayer can obtain relief for us when those we love most are taken away, and the world feels empty. It can bring down One who can fill the gap in our hearts with himself, and say to the waves within, “Peace; be still.”
Oh that people were not so like Hagar in the wilderness, blind to the well of living waters close beside them.
I want you to be happy. I know I cannot ask you a more useful question than this:
DO YOU PRAY?
And now it is high time for me to bring this tract to an end. I trust I have brought before you things that will be seriously considered. I heartily pray God that this consideration may be blessed to your soul.
—J. C. Ryle, A Call To Prayer
Get the booklet by J.C. Ryle, “A Call to Prayer” here, or click here to read more.
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