Magnificent Prayer #40
Magnificent Prayer #40
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
2 Timothy 2:16 KJV
In this [modern day] we are, more and more, turning from the God-appointed means of intercessory prayer and adopting, instead, merely natural agencies for the carrying on of His work. Intercessory prayer has been shelved. For some reason it is out of date. Our methods, we say, are better, our plans more successful, and so we adopt natural means to bring to pass the supernatural.
My brethren, it can never be done. We may appear successful; the crowds may come; the altar may be full night after night. Reported results may be broadcasted everywhere. Whole cities may be stirred and mightily moved! And yet when it is all over and two or three years have passed, how little will be found to be genuine! And why? Simply because we have been satisfied with a superficial, spectacular work, brought to pass by natural means. Consequently the truly supernatural has been largely lacking. Oh let us get back to intercessory prayer, the highest form of Christian service, and give God no rest until we have a spiritual outcome.
OSWALD J. SMITH
Pray About It: Much of what passes for revival today is a “superficial, spectacular work brought to pass by natural means.” And for the most part, we’ve settled for such man-initiated revivals, rather than hold out for the real thing through prayer—the genesis of all true revival.
But even more, in our own lives, how often have we gone from Christian fad to fad, settling for goose-bump spirituality rather than taking the time to grow deep roots that plumb the very depths of God Himself.
Both in the church and personally, we must set aside the superficial and pray for nothing less than the Spirit of God busily at work in our lives and churches.
Remember today, you can never bring about the supernatural through natural means. Don’t even try.
Faith doesn’t operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which man can do. Faith begins where man’s power ends.
GEORGE MUELLER
From the book
