01.A 01. The Privilege of Praying
I. THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYING
“Wherefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” — Hebrews 4:16.
Prayer a privilege as well as a duty.
What an unspeakable privilege! the approach of you or me, weak, insignificant children of a day, into the presence of the everlasting God. “Men ought always to pray.” The Word of God speaks plainly about the matter. It is an imperative duty. And yet it is the duty of living up to our privilege rather than the perfunctory fulfillment of an obligation to which expression is given; hence we find our Lord not so much enjoining the duty as teaching how to best realize the privilege in our own experience. And what a privilege it is! Is there not some mistake about it? Is it possible that God from His throne in the heavens can find any delight in my worship, or any inclination to commune with me, or any time to bow down his ear to the voice of my supplication! Is it possible that this little creature to whom has been given the brief existence of a day can have free access to the audience room of the eternal God and there urge upon Him the infinitesimal interests of my vanishing life? Is it not presumption to think that the importunate pleadings of so insignificant a being can have any influence with Him upon whom are the concerns of this vast unmeasured universe? No, there is no mistake about it. Other thrones may be guarded; approach may be difficult, may be fatal, but from the throne of God the golden scepter of His grace is ever held out, and for every true supplicant the Eternal King has a patient, listening ear, and into His presence we are not only invited but urged to come boldly that we may obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need.
Precious privilege! to have my praise accepted, my petition heard, yea, to abide in His presence and there to commune as with a friend. How ought the heart to swell with gratitude, how ought the soul rejoice, and how zealous ought we all to be in unceasingly claiming this unspeakable privilege for ourselves.
*’ My God! is any hour so sweet, From blush of mom to evening star. As that which calls me to Thy feet — The hour of Prayer?
“Lord! till I reach that blissful shore. No privilege so dear shall be. As thus my inmost soul to pour In prayer to Thee!”