Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2010.
“Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” Psalm 66:20
If we honestly look back on the sort of prayers we often pray, we will be filled with wonder that God has ever answered them. There may be some who think their prayers worthy of acceptance, like the Pharisee did. But the true Christian, in a more enlightened retrospect, weeps over their prayers, and if they could retrace their steps would desire to pray more truly, more earnestly. (Luke 18:9-14)
Think about how cold your prayers often are. When praying alone in your room (Matthew 6:6) you should wrestle as Jacob did. (Genesis 32:22-32) But instead, your petitions have been faint and few. They have been far removed from that humble, believing, persevering faith, which cries, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26)
Yet, how wonderful is it that God has nonetheless heard these cold prayers, and not only heard, but answered them!
Reflect also how infrequent your prayers are. Unless you’re in trouble, that is. That’s when people hasten to pray! When deliverance has come, where has been your constant prayer of thanks? Yet, even when you cease to pray diligently, God does not cease to bless. When you have neglected God in prayer, God has not deserted you. His bright glorious light continues to shine.
Oh how marvelous it is that the Lord pays close attention to those intermittent spasms of importunity, those halfhearted desperate prayers which may come and go like the wind! What a God He is to hear the prayers of those who come to Him when they have pressing wants, but neglect Him when they have received a mercy. He even hears those who approach Him when they are forced to come, but who almost forget to address Him when mercies are plentiful and sorrows are few.
Let His gracious kindness in hearing such prayers touch our hearts, so that we may “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:18)
Questions: In what areas have you been “praying halfheartedly” lately? In what areas can you see that God has been at work despite your lack of prayer?
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog/2010/07/12/cs_halfhearted-prayer/
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