0063. Prayer–Preparation for Service

Prayer–Preparation for Service

"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

"And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away" (Act_13:2-3).

All of God’s great men have been men of prayer.

Abraham communed with God on the plains of Mamre, fatness. Lot, to whom the Lord could not personally speak, lost his all in the rush of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Moses, at the back side of Mount Hebron, knew how to call upon his God.

David, the shepherd lad, found much time for fellowship as he tended his father’s sheep.

Elijah could talk to God at Jericho and Zarephath.

John the Baptist was in the desert until the day of his showing to Israel, and there he talked with God.

Peter knew a place of prayer in the quiet of the housetop.

Paul sought the Father’s face, in the heart of Arabia.

Spurgeon, Hudson Taylor, Mueller, and Moody, all knew the place of prayer.

Before we go forth to meet men, we should get alone with God.

Before Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, He had prayed to the Father.

Before any great task is accomplished for God, there must be the preparation in the place of prayer.

Father Nash prayed while Finney preached.

The early Church prayed and fasted and the Spirit sent forth Paul and Barnabas.

It was while Peter prayed that the call came from God to go to Caesarea.

When Isaiah communed with God and saw in a vision His holiness, he heard the voice: "Whom shall I send, and who will go"?

Prayer and service are vitally and indissolubly linked.

In prayer I sought my Saviour’s face,

And asked Him what His will for me,

At once He pointed out the place

Where I should serve with victory.

I went, obedient to His Word,

He went with me, blest be His Name.

I preached the message of His love,

He made the Word a mighty flame.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR