A book club to encourage reading of Reformed Christian Classics at around 10-20 pages a time.
June 18, 2010
Practical Religion - Ryle - IV - Chapter 4
Required reading
Practical Religion by JC Ryle (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)- Read Chapter 4 (Prayer). My summary Today Ryle teaches us about prayer. Prayer is:
(i) absolutely needful to a man's salvation;
(ii) one of the surest marks of a true Christian;
(iii) neglected more than any other duty in religion;
(iv) an act of religion to which there is greatest encouragement;
(v) the secret of eminent holiness;
(vi) a great cause of backsliding if neglected;
(vii) one of the best recipes for happiness and contentment.
What grabbed me Great chapter on the importance of prayer. I particularly enjoyed hearing how valuable prayer is: 'There is an Advocate and Intercessor always waiting to present the prayers of those who come to God through him. That advocate is Jesus Christ. He mingles our prayers with the incense of his own almighty intercession. So mingled, they go up as a sweet savor before the throne of God. Poor as they are in themselves, they are mighty and powerful in the hand of our High Priest and Elder Brother. The bank-note without a signature at the bottom is nothing but a worthless piece of paper. The stroke of a pen confers on it all its value. The prayer of a poor child of Adam is a feeble thing in itself, but once endorsed by the hand of the Lord Jesus it avails much. There was an officer in the city of Rome who appointed to have his doors always open, in order to receive any Roman citizen who applied to him for help. Just so the ear of the Lord Jesus is ever open to the cry of all who need mercy and grace. It is his office to help them. Their prayer is his delight. Think of this. Is this not and encouragement?'
The prayers of the saints are signed off by Christ and once done so are of immense value. No prayer is weak when it is prayed in the name of Christ!
Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 5 (Bible reading) by reading points 1 to 5.
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
1 comment:
Margo
said...
I found the chapter on prayer very encouraging. Some of the things I really liked are:
1. 'God had no dumb children.' 2. 'The evidence of Saul's change of heart to Ananias was, "Behold he prayeth."' 3. Ryle's list of encouragements to prayer. 4. 'It is the trying to carry their own burdens that often makes believers sad.' 5. Ryle commends to us the importance of perseverance, earnestness, praying with faith, boldness, being specific, intercession, watchfulness and thankfulness.
1 comment:
I found the chapter on prayer very encouraging. Some of the things I really liked are:
1. 'God had no dumb children.'
2. 'The evidence of Saul's change of heart to Ananias was, "Behold he prayeth."'
3. Ryle's list of encouragements to prayer.
4. 'It is the trying to carry their own burdens that often makes believers sad.'
5. Ryle commends to us the importance of perseverance, earnestness, praying with faith, boldness, being specific, intercession, watchfulness and thankfulness.
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