Importance of Prayer
"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." (Mark 1:35)
Men of communion are men of obedience. It is men delighting to be near the king who are ready to hazard their lives to fetch him a drink of water from Bethlehem's well (1 Chronicles 11:18). And it is men of prayer who have moved the arm of Omnipotence in all ages, while they who seemed to have least need to pray have been the very ones to whom the closet has been dearest. Our great Example was a man of prayer. We read of Him rising a great while before day and departing into a solitary place to pray. Let us follow Him wherever He goes.
If He needed the aids of heavenly power to help Him in the evil hour, how much more do we? Then let no uncertain sound be given in this all-important matter. Let secret prayer be urged on God's people as one of the great essentials of spiritual life, without which our grandest services will be barren and fruitless in the eyes of Him who looks on the heart.
Let each one of us ask himself the question, Am I delighting in the secret place, to plead with the Lord, to renew my strength, to have power with God and prevail? If not, let us confess our neglect. God will forgive, and renew our spiritual energy. (Christian Truth - Vo. 21 - January 1968)
