Prayer

A few days ago I started reading a small book by R.A. Torrey called 'How to Pray'.  I am always surprised by these small books by "old dead guys", as our friend Neil would say, and the insights I gather from them.  What a powerful little book!
I often take prayer much too lightly, breeze through it too quickly or struggle with spending the time on it.  This book has given me a whole new way to look at prayer and the importance of it!

He starts in right at the beginning with eleven reasons to pray.  I am only half way through the list at the moment but will speak to two in each blog as I go through the book.  Ephesians 6:18 is the verse he states expresses the importance and need for prayer:
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

The author calls us to " constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer" and repeats those words frequently throughout the book in the hope " that these words.....might burn into our hearts."

The first reason he states for the need of "constant, persisitent, sleepless, overcoming prayer" is that there is a devil.

Secondly is that "prayer is God's appointed way for obtaining things" and the reason we flounder in all we do or have weak results is we don't spend enough time in prayer!

I know I tend to forget who and what I am fighting against in my life.  My eyes can't see the spiritual realm around me and so I fail to recognize where the battle truly is.  My need for prayer is there as soon as I open my eyes, from the moment my brain kicks into gear and my feet touch the floor because there is a devil lurking nearby looking to tear me apart and destroy my witness for Christ.  I DO NOT want that to happen and so I need to pray first thing in the morning and all day long.  Now that doesn't mean I sit in my study and do nothing but read God's Word and pray.  It means I need to have a quiet time of prayer with God, to start my day and then to frequently be offering prayers to Him throughout my day as He brings things or people to my mind or as I encounter troubles, fear, challenges, LIFE!
I have a tendency to be a whiner and complainer.  Lame, I know!  I want to be a Princess and just have life go my way.  My sinful self. 
The part of me that loves my Saviour Jesus Christ longs to live a life that honours and glorifies Him and the only way I can truly and best do that is through "constant, persistent, sleepless and overcoming prayer".

Father, thank you for R. A. Torrey and his willingness to write this book and that it has come into my hands.  Thank you that you did not leave us here alone on earth to flounder but have left us your holy Word that instructs and shows us your will.  Draw me each morning to prayer and time spent in Your Presence.  You make it all worthwhile!!