How To Pray by R.A. Torrey
Author:R.A. Torrey
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: ChristianLife
Publisher: Christian Classics Ethereal Library (www.ccel.org)
[HOW TO PRAY, by R. A. Torrey]
* * *
CHAPTER VIII
PRAYING WITH THANKSGIVING
There are two words often overlooked in the lesson about prayer which Paul gives us in Phil. 4:6,7, “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.” (R.V.) The two important words often overlooked are, “WITH THANKSGIVING.”
In approaching God to ask for new blessings, we should never forget to return thanks for blessings already granted. If any one of us would stop and think how many of the prayers which we have offered to God have been answered, and how seldom we have gone back to God to return thanks for the answers thus given, I am sure we would be overwhelmed with confusion. We should be just as definite in returning thanks as we are in prayer. We come to God with most specific petitions, but when we return thanks to Him, our thanksgiving is indefinite and general.
Doubtless one reason why so many of our prayers lack power is because we have neglected to return thanks for blessings already received. If any one were to constantly come to us asking help from us, and should never say “Thank you” for the help thus given, we would soon tire of helping one so ungrateful. Indeed, regard for the one we were helping would hold us back from encouraging such rank ingratitude. Doubtless our heavenly Father out of a wise regard for our highest welfare oftentimes refuses to answer petitions that we send up to Him in order that we may be brought to a sense of our ingratitude and taught to be thankful.
God is deeply grieved by the thanklessness and ingratitude of which so many of us are guilty. When Jesus healed the ten lepers and only one came back to give Him thanks, in wonderment and pain He exclaimed,
“Were not the ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17, R.V.)
How often must He look down upon us in sadness at our forgetfulness of His repeated blessings, and His frequent answer to our prayers.
Returning thanks for blessings already received increases our faith and enables us to approach God with new boldness and new assurance. Doubtless the reason so many have so little faith when they pray, is because they take so little time to meditate upon and thank God for blessings already received. As one meditates upon the answers to prayers already granted, faith waxes bolder and bolder, and we come to feel in the very depths of our souls that there is nothing too hard for the Lord. As we reflect upon the wondrous goodness of God toward us on the one hand, and upon the other hand upon the little thought and strength and time that we ever put into thanksgiving, we may well humble ourselves before God and confess our sin.
The
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman(8492)
The Space Between by Michelle L. Teichman(6085)
Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb(5236)
Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi(4585)
Everything Happens for a Reason by Kate Bowler(4067)
Gerald's Game by Stephen King(3917)
A Simplified Life by Emily Ley(3567)
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale(3446)
Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell(3392)
Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly(2885)
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis(2819)
Being Aware of Being Aware by Rupert Spira(2704)
Name Book, The: Over 10,000 Names--Their Meanings, Origins, and Spiritual Significance by Astoria Dorothy(2490)
Real Sex by Lauren F. Winner(2474)
More Language of Letting Go: 366 New Daily Meditations by Melody Beattie(2441)
The Holy Spirit by Billy Graham(2413)
Fast Facts on Defending Your Faith by John Ankerberg & John Weldon(2387)
Victory over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson(2384)
The Secret Power of Speaking God's Word by Joyce Meyer(2251)