Pricey Good friend,
One 12 months to the day earlier than my closing Sunday at Parkside, we started finding out John chapter 17 collectively. Archbishop William Temple described the chapter as being maybe essentially the most sacred passage in all 4 Gospels. It takes us to the very coronary heart of Jesus as He speaks to the Father on behalf of His personal. Having spoken to the disciples, making ready them for His departure, Jesus then opens His coronary heart and gives us with a glimpse that takes us, we would say, behind the scenes.
The Excessive Priestly Prayer collection at Parkside proved to be as difficult because it was encouraging. John Calvin noticed that Jesus “reveals academics an instance, that they need to not solely occupy themselves in sowing the Phrase, however by mixing their prayers with it ought to implore God’s assist, that His blessing ought to make their work fruitful.”
Maybe, within the goodness of God, as this collection airs on the Fact For Life day by day program in March, every of us will probably be helped within the religious self-discipline of prayer. You could keep in mind how when the late Billy Graham was requested towards the top of his life if he had any regrets, he stated, “I want I’d have prayed extra.” As with bodily train, we all know the good thing about taking part even once we don’t really feel prefer it. How typically have we participated reluctantly in company prayer solely to search out our souls refreshed?
Spurgeon urged his congregation alongside these strains: “We must always pray once we are in a praying temper, for it might be sinful to neglect so honest a chance. We must always pray when we’re not in a correct temper, for it might be harmful to stay in so unhealthy a situation. Prayer is as appropriate for any spot on earth as reward is appropriate for anywhere in heaven.”
Susan jogged my memory this week of how her mom routinely quoted components of Philippians 4:4–6 in a free paraphrase: “Don’t fear about something, pray about every part, inform God your wants, and don’t overlook to thank Him for His solutions.” There are various books that assist us to hope, and this month, Praying the Bible by my pal Donald Whitney is in that class. He reveals us find out how to use the phrases of Scripture as the premise for our prayers in order that we will expertise a richer, extra significant prayer life. I commend it to you warmly.
Pondering alongside these strains, it will be significant for me to let you understand how a lot I covet your prayers. John Newton in 1776 informed his congregation that he was a lot in want of their prayers: “It’s … no small factor to face between God and the individuals, to divide the phrase of reality aright, to offer each one their portion, to resist the counter tides of opposition and recognition, and to press these truths upon others, the facility of which, I, at instances, really feel so little of in my very own soul. A chilly, corrupt coronary heart is uncomfortable firm within the pulpit.”
And so, as we strategy the top of the primary quarter of a brand new 12 months, our focus stays underneath God to see unbelievers transformed (do take up the supply of requesting three copies of The Man on the Center Cross), to see believers established, and to see native church buildings strengthened. (Your prayers for pastors and church leaders will assist uphold their ministries.)
Thanks on your trustworthy partnership, which is making it potential for the excellent news of Jesus to be heard and browse all over the world.
“And allow us to not develop weary of doing good, for in due season we are going to reap, if we don’t hand over” (Gal. 6:9).
With my love within the Lord Jesus,
Alistair
