Pastor John D Jakes

Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God’s infinite grace and power.

– R. A. Torrey

That’s a cool quote, isn’t it? When I read that, I get a picture in my head of the colossal power that is ready to be used when we just ask for it. I see God expectantly looking toward His people. I see Him ready to work in our lives even at a moment’s notice. It is quite amazing.

As I continue to meditate on this idea, though, another thought crosses my mind. I wonder – for how many events in our lives does Heaven hear silence from our end? God is ready, but there is no cry from us. He is a good Father who delights to work in the lives of His children, but do His children seek His face?

It is tragic thought. So many promises in and invitations to pray go unused.

Proverbs 3:13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.

I know that this verse is focused on wisdom, but we there is a clear connection between the effect (wisdom) with its Biblical cause (spending time with God). If wisdom is precious like rubies, then isn’t the thing that gives us wisdom just as precious? Of course it is! What does it mean for prayer to be precious? It means that we value it. It also means that we use it. That’s what gold, silver, and precious stones are to us. We make pretty things with them that everyone values. Because everyone values gold, silver, and precious stones we also use them to get us other things that we need: food, clothing, houses, etc. This is prayer for us. It is valuable because it connects us to God. It is useful because God’s power and promises are behind prayer.

I wonder how often I could have prayed when I didn’t. I wonder how often I didn’t pray when I needed to. I really doubt that I would bury a suitcase of gold in my backyard. No, I would prepare that gold for use – turn it into cash, put it into the bank, give some to a jeweler to make something for my wife – and then use it! I want to do that with prayer. God gave it to me to be used. He keeps giving me prayer to change my life for His glory and wonder. I would be silly to miss out on the gift, wouldn’t I?

Something to think about,

Pastor John