A few words from John Bunyan on prayer…
Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God. and a scourge for Satan
A definition of prayer –
Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to His Word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God.
Note how helpfully thorough that short statement is:
- It includes the Trinity.
- We can only pray through Christ. Praying in His name is utterly necessary for it is only by His sacrifice that we can draw near.
- We can only pray by the strength of the Holy Spirit.
- We have confidence not in our own will and wish but only in such things as God has promised.
And this short quote shows us how utterly dependent upon God in prayer. We have to pray for the ability to pray. We have to lift our hearts to God asking that He enable us to lift our hearts to God. To God be the glory.
When I go aside in order to pray, I find my heart unwilling to approach God; and when I tarry in prayer my heart is unwilling to abide in Him. Therefore I am compelled first to pray to God to move my heart into Himself, and when I am in Him, I pray that my heart remain in Him.