06/07/2021
This excerpt from J.C. Ryle's book, "A Call To Prayer" seems as needed today as it was when he first published it such a long time ago.
"What is the best means of cheerfulness in such a world as this? How shall we get through this valley of tears with least pain? I know no better means than the regular, habitual practice of taking everything to God in prayer.
This is the plain advice that the Bible gives, both in the Old Testament and the New. What says the psalmist? “Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Ps. 50:15). “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall ever suffer the righteous to be moved” (Ps. 55:22). What says the apostle Paul? “Be careful for nothing; 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 keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7). What says the apostle James? “Is any afflicted among you? let him pray” (Jam 5:13).
This was the practice of all the saints whose history we have recorded in the Scriptures. This is what Jacob did when he feared his brother Esau. This is what Moses did when the people were ready to stone him in the wilderness. This is what Joshua did when Israel was defeated before the men of Ai. This is what David did when he was in danger at Keilah. This is what Hezekiah did when he received the letter from Sennacherib. This is what the church did when Peter was put in prison. This is what Paul did when he was cast into the dungeon at Philippi."
From J.C. Ryle (1816-1900). A Call to Prayer
