The Hidden Life of Prayer

I believe, friends, that one of the most valuable ministries is that of a ministry of a hidden life of prayer, hidden because it is not a platform ministry or public ministry as much as it is hidden away from the sight of man, but under the eye of God Almighty. In James 5.16 we read, The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. That word avail in the Greek means forcefulness, might, power, strength.

It also speaks of a potency and preeminence found in this business of prayer. I have been fortunate in my life to know men of prayer, men that I could call and ask them to pray for me, and I knew the faithfulness and force of their prayers would be effectual on my behalf. The importance and priority of prayer was seen in the life of the disciples, who, upon seeing their master retire to commune with the Father, approached him, saying, Lord, teach us to pray.

And I believe, friends, that the preacher who lives on his knees is the one who has power in the pulpit with an unction from the Spirit of God. There is a book on prayer I want to commend to you. It is published by Revival Literature, and really it's two books in one.

Preacher in Prayer by E.M. Bounds. And Never Quit Praying for Your Loved Ones by Marian Price. Marian Price had the great privilege of leading Osborne Bounds, the son of E.M. Bounds to the Lord.

That story is in this little book published by Revival Literature. It's worth its weight in gold, friends. We need to place more emphasis on prayer in these desperate days in which we live.

How can we call ourselves a church if the carpet in our sanctuary isn't wet from the tears of agonizing saints on their faces, crying out to God in brokenness and desperate prayer? I believe a hidden life of prayer is a holy weapon in the hands of God that will avail much for His kingdom and His glory. I want to end this message on prayer by reading you, friends, a pulpit prayer of E.M. Bounds as it was recorded in the St. Louis Globe Democrat on December the 1st, 1879. E.M. Bounds was a local pastor in St. Louis, and he was asked to lead in prayer for a D.O. Moody meeting.

Ira Sankey and D.O. Moody were seated next to him on the platform as Bounds rose to give the following prayer. Listen to it attentively, friends, for by it we see how powerful a hidden life of prayer can be for the glory of God. Here is that prayer of E.M. Bounds, and it will demonstrate to us today how far we have fallen as a people of God in prayer.

Some of us couldn't pray our way out of a paper bag, let alone pull down the forces of darkness in our community. E.M. Bounds' prayer will put us all to shame. You're in for a treat, friends, as I read you this prayer at this time.

Our Father, help us to come before Thee with humility and reverence, with some realization of our sinfulness, our guiltiness in Thy sight, some sense of Thy holiness and the demands of Thy law. And, O, give us a sample and childlike faith in Jesus Christ, and let Him be made unto us this evening of wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, and in and through the merits of His blood, may we have that approach to God, the forgiveness of all our sins and the sanctification of our natures. Breathe upon us this evening the Holy Ghost, our Heavenly Father, as the gift of Thine infinite love and the gift of our exalted and princely Savior.

Let Thy Spirit be poured out upon us very richly, that it may solemnize our minds, that it may carry conviction and stimulate our consciences into activity, that it may change by the power and authority of Thy Word in its own divine operation the current of our natures and turn us back strongly to God to serve and love and honor Him. Bless Thy servant greatly who shall speak to us this evening. Let Thy Spirit attend his words, and the divine unction rest upon him, and may the words reach our consciences and our hearts.

O God, let Thy Spirit attend the songs that are sung, that the melody may win its way to our souls and soothe our spirits and inflame our imaginations and draw up our thoughts to a God and eternity, and to the sweet and sublime things of everlasting life. Breathe upon us a Sabbath evening blessing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Well, friends, that is the end of the prayer of E.M. Bounds. Here now is my prayer as we close. O great God, raise up an E.M. Bounds and a D.L. Moody for our day.

Send us men of prayer and preachers of your cross. Make each one of us here today better persons of prayer that we may reflect your glory and touch heaven with our prayers. We pray these things in the strong name of Jesus.

Amen.