What Prayer Will Accomplish

The 34th Psalm is quite a catalogue of things that prayer will accomplish. It starts off concerning praise. Now, praise is the highest form of worship. Prayer is something like water; it refreshes, it cleanses, it greatly aids growth; but remember it is steam—powerful steam—when it is heated. So hot prayer, believing prayer, turns to praise (v. 1).

The fighting attitudes of man and beast are interesting and stimulating, but prayer brings the soul to a fighting attitude very different from any flesh feeling. The psalmist speaks of his attitude caused by prayer as “boast in the Lord” (v. 2).

God has named Himself. His names strike a deep meaning to the spiritual heart. How rich in comfort is His name El Shaddai—“the God all-sufficient,” or literally, “the God of the breast.” The mother’s breast is all the babe needs, and our glorious God is such to us. Prayer causes us to “exalt his name” (v. 3).

Prayer not only pours out to God, but the other half of prayer is God’s pouring out to us. No music like the music of His voice within our hearts. How delighted the heart who can say with the psalmist here, “He heard me” (v. 4).

Prayer is the only specific for fears. It does not deny the danger nor the trouble, but, oh, how little the danger or trouble looks when in prayer we meet our glorious all-conquering Lord face to face. It is there He “delivered me from all my fears” (v. 5).

Can you imagine a child looking at a lighted Christmas tree without any expression on its face? No, its face beams with the tree. So we beholding His glory are lighted with His glory. The world will soon know if you have in prayer been looking, for it is written, “They looked unto him and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.” This prayer life will take away all your bashfulness in meeting and before sinners (v. 5).

Christians get more troubles than sinners, but the troubles do not get them. That is the difference. Prayer saves us not from troubles but out of all our troubles (v. 6). The sinner is surrounded. Death will soon close in on him and sin will demand its wages. As he has sown, he must reap. But the Christian by prayer is surrounded with something else. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them” (v. 7).

“Life seems so cruel” is a common statement. Yes, that is true, for life is filled with sin and pain and remorse and death. But, listen! “The Lord is good.” Oh, so good! In prayer, we taste God. In springtime we walk in the woods and fill our nostrils with the breath of flowers and bursting buds and new plowed earth. In prayer, we taste the goodness of God (v. 8).

God’s great love for us is shown in the many things he denies us. If parents really love their children, they withhold many things the child wants, but nothing is withheld within their power to give that could be good for the child. Even so with God if we fear Him and dwell with Him. Oh, say it to yourself a thousand times as you pray. “They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing” (v. 10).

Why ought we to pray?—God commands prayer: “Pray without ceasing.” Have you prayed only when you felt like it? You are a soldier of the cross under orders. “Pray!”

What help have you received through prayer?—The traveler can name the cities of his itinerary. A Christian should be able to point out his progress in answered prayer, for “we walk by faith.”

When and how should we pray?—The best, not the odd time of the day, should be invested in prayer. Learn to use your voice in prayer, when alone with God. Crowd your tongue with praise, definite desire, and belief. It will make its own language.

Monday—Prayer Increases Faith (Psalm 116:1–8). The joy that surpasses every sensation known to human hearts is the joy of answered prayer. What rapture to know that Almighty God has heard and spoken! Set up a laboratory in your secret closet and experiment with prayer.

Tuesday—Prayer Delivers (Acts 12:5). Few ever believe as they pray, unless they see a way. Our God “makes a way where there is no way.” We may be bound, like Peter, but faith sees God unbound.

Wednesday—Brings Spiritual Blessing (Ephesians 1:15–19). The starting point of sin is unbelief. The starting point of blessing is belief. “Exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe.” Belief is the life of prayer.

Thursday—Enlists Us for God’s Will (Matthew 6:10). God’s will for us is made plain in prayer just as the film is developed in a dark room with chemicals. Take plenty of time if you would have things clear.

Friday—Opens the Soul to God (Romans 8:26–27). If we are born again, “His Spirit beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” This same Spirit within leads us forth in prayer to God, opening up our soul, giving understanding and faith.

Saturday—Prayer’s Healing Power (James 5:13–20). In this Scripture is God’s appointed way of dealing with sickness. How few resort to this method. Those who do find the Lord to be true to His word.