Prayer: Plain & Simple

If you're not already familiar with the writings of R.A. Torrey, I would say get familiar. His undeterred exposition of the Word serves him well, and results in a no-nonsense approach to the subject of "How to Pray," which serves as the title of his classical work on the subject. Perhaps Rosalie de Rosset says it best: "Deceptively simple, organized, and clear, Torrey's book, while addressing familiar concepts, is anything but cliched." I'll simply list some enumerated points Torrey makes regarding prayer, referring you to my church's blog for any further commentary (http://ebcrochester.blogspot.com).

1. Ephesians 6:18 - "With all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."
--Paul realized the natural slothfulness of man, and especially his natural slothfulness in prayer.

2. Regarding James 4:2, the secret of the poverty and powerlessness of the average Christian is the neglect of prayer.

3. "Praying is the principal thing Christ is doing in these days," after the ascension, as he ever liveth to make intercession, according to Hebrews 7:25. "That is the principal occupation at present of my risen Lord;" ergo, it shall be mine.

4. "The measure of our appropriation of grace is determined by the measure of our prayers," per the application of Hebrews 4:16.

5. "God delights to have us 'shameless' beggars," being constant and persistent in our asking, "for it shows our faith in Him, and He is mightily pleased with faith."

6. "When we ask something definite of God, and He gives it, how real God becomes!"

7. "There is no greater joy on earth or in heaven than communion with God, and prayer in the name of Jesus brings us into communion with Him."

8. "Oh, the unutterable joy of those moments when in our prayers we really press into the presence of God!"

9. "Time spent in prayer is not wasted but time invested at big interest."

10. Per Luke 21:34-36, Torrey posits that "there is only one way in which we can be prepared for the coming of the Lord when He appears, that is, through much prayer."

11. "In very much of our prayer, there is really but little thought of God. Our mind is taken up with the thought of what we need, or our mind is wandering here and there throughout the world."

12. In approaching God in prayer, we must first wrestle with the immensity of His might and love, and "should not be in hasty in words."

13. Regarding "prayer without ceasing," it literally means to pray "stretched-out-ed-ly," with an earnest and intense desire. It is the same word that describes Christ's prayer in Luke 22:44, where "His sweat was as it were great drops of blood." That, then, is a "stretching out toward God in intense and agonizing desire."

14. Regarding Matthew 18:19, it speaks not simply of casual acquiescence, but rather of the instance "where there is real agreement, where the Spirit of God brings two believers into perfect harmony as concerning that which they may ask of God, where the Spirit lays the same burden on two hearts; in all such prayer there is absolutely irresistible power."

15. "Much prayer is insincere. People ask for things that they do not wish."

...more to come...