December 28, 2018 (Friday)
“Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, unuttered or expressed, the motion of a hidden fire that trembles within the breast.” This is the first line of a hymn by James Montgomery (1771-1854) and George Careless (1839-1932). The highest form of prayer is intercessory prayer: praying for others.
We should pray for:
- Our Christian family, our fellow believers. “always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV). “Saints” refers to all Christians.
- Our own family members. “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 NIV).
- The sick. ” Call for the elders and let them pray over the sick” (James 5:14).
- Our religious leaders. Paul the leader said, “You help us by your prayers.” (2 Corinthians 1:11).
- Our national, state and local leaders. “1 I urge..that ..prayers.. be made for .. kings and all those in authority..” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
- Our judges, police, parole board, probation officers,, etc. “I urge that prayers be made for those in authority” 2 Timothy 2:1-2
- Our friends. Job prayed for his friends. Job 42.
- Our enemies and persecutors. “Bless them that curse you and hate you..” Matthew 5:44.
- The lost and unbelieving. Paul prayed for his kinsmen. Romans 10:1.
Samuel said to a group of people, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.” (1 Samuel 12:23 NIV).
We choose to pray for others because to refuse to do so is a sin.
We choose to pray for others because to do so is a high and holy privilege afforded to the children of God by God’s matchless grace.
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Uttered, or unexpressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air;
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters rest with prayer.
Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, “Behold, he prays!”
And cry, “Behold, he prays!”
O Thou, by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way,
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod–
Lord, teach us how to pray.
No prayer is made by man alone
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus, on th’eternal throne,
For sinners intercedes.
The saints in prayer appear as one,
In word, and deed, and mind;
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.
O Thou, by whom we come to God,
Lord, teach us how to pray.
Uttered, or unexpressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air;
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters rest with prayer.
Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, “Behold, he prays!”
And cry, “Behold, he prays!”
O Thou, by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way,
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod–
Lord, teach us how to pray.
No prayer is made by man alone
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus, on th’eternal throne,
For sinners intercedes.
The saints in prayer appear as one,
In word, and deed, and mind;
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.
O Thou, by whom we come to God,
Lord, teach us how to pray.
Alternate tunes:
Naomi, alt Evans
Shaddick