September 20 Daily Devotional

Morning and Evening

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Continue steadfastly in prayer” (Colossians 4:2)

Bible Reading

Colossians 4:2–6

Devotional

It is telling to notice how much the Bible occupies itself with the subject of prayer, whether in supplying examples, or in enforcing precepts, or in pronouncing promises. We barely open the Bible before we read, “At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD” (Gen. 4:26). And just as we’re about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob, there a Daniel who prayed three times a day, there a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elijah; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands and myriads of promises.

What does this teach us except the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be sure that whatever God makes prominent in his Word, he intends to be conspicuous in our lives. If God says so much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. Our needs are so deep that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Do you lack nothing? Then, I fear, you do not know your poverty. Do you have no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show you your misery!

A prayer-less soul is a Christ-less soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. Prayer is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If you are a child of God, you will seek your Father’s face, and live in your Father’s love.

Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter more often into the banqueting-house of his love. Pray that you may be an example and a blessing unto others, and that you may live more to the glory of your Master. Make the motto for this year, “Continue steadfastly in prayer.”

[January 2, morning]

Extracted from C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (public domain), language modernized by Larry E. Wilson.