The Ultimate Test

Is there a way to test our spiritual life? I believe there is. In fact, we might call this the Ultimate Test.

PRAYER

Martin Lloyd Jones writes: "There is nothing that tells the truth about us as Christian people so much as our prayer life. Everything we do in the Christian life is easier than prayer. It is not so difficult to give alms; you can have a true spirit of philanthropy in people who are not Christian at all.

"The same applies also to the question of self-discipline, that is, refraining from certain things and taking up particular duties and tasks. God knows it is very much easier to preach from the pulpit than it is to pray. Prayer is undoubtedly the ultimate test."

He continues, "it is when we have left the realm of activities and outward dealings with other people, and are alone with God, that we really know where we stand in a spiritual sense, it is not only the highest activity of the soul, it is the ultimate test of our true spiritual condition."

Let's test our true spiritual condition today. Then see if you're faithful in praying for relatives and friends and for the needs of your church and its programs. When you encounter a promise in God's Word that addresses His faithfulness in prayer, underline it. Or, better, memorize it. Prayer enforces the victory Christ won for us at Calvary.

There are, of course, many, many scriptures we could site to show the importance of prayer in ones life. We give you these few:

Matthew 6:5-15 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Let's pass the test - let us pray!

"Our Heavenly Father, Thank you for the greatest gift you have given us beyond that of the gift of your Son...the gift of Prayer! Your love created us and your love wants us to stay in contact with You...and through prayer we can do this. This is our link with you, beyond Church, beyond bible reading! Lord help us to pray. Amen"