The Christian in Complete Armour - Gurnall - LXIII - Direction Eleventh commenced

Required readingThe Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Direction Eleventh by reading Branch First and Second of the First General Part.

My summary

This week we begin Direction Eleventh which comes from the text: 'Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (Eph. 6:18)  In the First General Part, Gurnall begins to examine the duty of prayer.  

Firstly, Gurnall teaches us that prayer is a necessary duty to be performed by the Christian, and to be used with all other means in his spiritual warfare.

Secondly, Gurnall provides reasons why prayer is so necessary a means with our other armour for our defence:

(i) Because of the co-ordination of this duty with all other means for the Christian's defence, and that by divine appointment;

(ii) Because of the influence that prayer hath upon all our graces;

(iii) Because of the great prevalency prayer hath with God.

What grabbed me

I liked the encouragement to pray because that is when God often opens his heart to us: 'God doth commonly take this season, when his people are pouring out their souls to him, to open his heart to them, and to give his testimony both to their persons and graces. God hath his sealing hours, in which his Spirit comes and bears witness to his children's state and grace. And this of prayer is a principal one. Where was it that God so marvellously dignified, and if I may so say, knighted Jacob with that new title of honour, 'Thou shalt be called Israel,' but in the field of prayer?What was the happy hour in which the angel knocked at Daniel's door to let him know how God loved him? was it not when he was knocking at heaven door by his prayer? 'At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved,' Dan. 9:23.'

It is true.  For example, some of my best ideas for a sermon come when I'm praying about it.

Next week's reading

Continue Direction Eleventh by reading the First Design of Branch Third of the First General Part.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.