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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING http://www.heartlight.org/
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Sunday, March 22, 2009
MORNING:
"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and
prayed."
-- Matthew 26:39
There are several instructive features in our Saviour's prayer in his
hour of trial. It was lonely prayer. He withdrew even from his three
favoured disciples. Believer, be much in solitary prayer, especially in
times of trial. Family prayer, social prayer, prayer in the Church,
will not suffice, these are very precious, but the best beaten spice
will smoke in your censer in your private devotions, where no ear hears
but God's.
It was humble prayer. Luke says he knelt, but another evangelist says
he "fell on his face." Where, then, must be THY place, thou humble
servant of the great Master? What dust and ashes should cover thy head!
Humility gives us good foot-hold in prayer. There is no hope of
prevalence with God unless we abase ourselves that he may exalt us in
due time.
It was filial prayer. "Abba, Father." You will find it a stronghold in
the day of trial to plead your adoption. You have no rights as a
subject, you have forfeited them by your treason; but nothing can
forfeit a child's right to a father's protection. Be not afraid to say,
"My Father, hear my cry."
Observe that it was persevering prayer. He prayed three times. Cease
not until you prevail. Be as the importunate widow, whose continual
coming earned what her first supplication could not win. Continue in
prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.
Lastly, it was the prayer of resignation. "Nevertheless, not as I will,
but as thou wilt." Yield, and God yields. Let it be as God wills, and
God will determine for the best. Be thou content to leave thy prayer in
his hands, who knows when to give, and how to give, and what to give,
and what to withhold. So pleading, earnestly, importunately, yet with
humility and resignation, thou shalt surely prevail.
EVENING:
"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be
with me where I am."
-- John 17:24
O death! why dost thou touch the tree beneath whose spreading branches
weariness hath rest? Why dost thou snatch away the excellent of the
earth, in whom is all our delight? If thou must use thine axe, use it
upon the trees which yield no fruit; thou mightest be thanked then. But
why wilt thou fell the goodly cedars of Lebanon? O stay thine axe, and
spare the righteous. But no, it must not be; death smites the goodliest
of our friends; the most generous, the most prayerful, the most holy,
the most devoted must die. And why? It is through Jesus' prevailing
prayer-"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with
me where I am." It is that which bears them on eagle's wings to heaven.
Every time a believer mounts from this earth to paradise, it is an
answer to Christ's prayer. A good old divine remarks, "Many times Jesus
and his people pull against one another in prayer. You bend your knee
in prayer and say 'Father, I will that thy saints be with me where I
am'; Christ says, 'Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given
me, be with me where I am.'" Thus the disciple is at cross-purposes
with his Lord. The soul cannot be in both places: the beloved one
cannot be with Christ and with you too. Now, which pleader shall win
the day? If you had your choice; if the King should step from his
throne, and say, "Here are two supplicants praying in opposition to one
another, which shall be answered?" Oh! I am sure, though it were agony,
you would start from your feet, and say, "Jesus, not my will, but thine
be done." You would give up your prayer for your loved one's life, if
you could realize the thoughts that Christ is praying in the opposite
direction-"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be
with me where I am." Lord, thou shalt have them. By faith we let them
go.
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