No Christian rises any higher than his praying. Everything we are and everything we do for the Lord depends on prayer. Most of us would rather work than pray. But we know that without prayer our work is useless. What a difference it would make in our personal lives, our homes, our churches, and our world if Christians really learned to pray—and prayed!

If you had the privilege of asking the Lord for one specific blessing, would you ask, “Teach me to pray”? Someone may ask, “Lord, teach me how to make money!” or, “Lord, teach me how to preach.” But “Teach me to pray” is the wisest request, because every other blessing in the Christian life depends in one way or another on our ability to pray.

The most important part of our lives is the part that only God sees. The hidden life of prayer is the secret of an open life of victory. The School of Prayer has four steps, and each step emphasizes a particular lesson about prayer. First, we must pray, and then pray in the will of God. We must pray as children coming to a father. And we must pray for the best blessings of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus tells you: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8, NIV).

Other Scripture: Luke 11:1-13; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.

Action assignment: If you’re used to praying briefly, see if you can extend your time. Pray aloud if you have privacy.

WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in