The Christian in Complete Armour - Gurnall - LXV - Direction Eleventh continued

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

My summary

Today we continue Direction Eleventh on prayer from: 'Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (Eph. 6:18) 

Last time we started Branch Third which consists of Satan's designs against prayer and saw how he firstly designs to keep us from prayer.

Now Gurnall discusses Satan's second design: to interrupt the Christian's prayer.

Gurnall teaches us that Satan interrupts prayer by plotting:

(i) against God;

(ii) against the Christian.

Then Gurnall advances four causes for wanderings in prayer

(i) the natural vanity and levity of our minds;

(ii) a dead and inactive heart;

(iii) encumbrance of worldly cares;

(iv) non-observances of the heart in the act of prayer.

He finishes the discussion with some consolatory thoughts for those who are too much downcast through wanderings in prayer.

What grabbed me

A very helpful section.

I particularly appreciated the comfort given to those who are conscious of wandering thoughts in prayer: 'Know these be the necessary infirmities of thy imperfect state; and, so long as thou art faithful to resist and mourn for them, they rather move God's pity to thee than wrath against thee. It is one thing for a child, employed by his father, willingly or negligently to spoil the work he sets him about; and another, when through natural weakness he fails in the exact doing of it. Should a master bid his servant give him a cup of wine, and he should willingly throw both glass and wine on the ground, he might expect his master's just displeasure. But if, through some unsteadiness—it may be palsy in his hand—he should, notwithstanding all his care, spill some of it in the bringing, an ingenuous master will rather pity him for his disease, than be angry for the wine that is lost. And did God ever give his servants occasion to think him a hard master? Hath he not promised, 'that he will spare us as a father his child that serves him?' From whence come all the apologies which he makes for his people's failings if not from his merciful heart, interpreting them candidly to proceed rather from their want of skill than will, power, or desire? 'Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?' Zech. 3:2, is Christ's answer in the behalf of Joshua, whom Satan accused for his filthy garments. 'The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak,' Matt. 26:41, was his favourable gloss for his disciples' drowsiness in prayer.'

A bruised prayer he does not break.

Next week's reading

Continue Direction Eleventh by reading the First Way of Hindrance of the Third 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.