Required readingThe Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Direction Eleventh by reading Branch First of Division Third of the Second General Part.
My summary
Today we continue on with 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)
We start Division Third which explores what it means to pray 'in the Spirit'.
Gurnall teaches us that from these words we can dwell on two propositions:
(i) He who will pray acceptably, must pray in his heart and spirit;
(ii) He that would pray in his own spirit, must pray in the Spirit of God.
This week we concentrate on the second proposition - praying in our own spirit.
Gurnall teaches us that we pray in our spirit when these three are found in the duty:
(i) when we pray with knowledge;
(ii) when we pray in fervency;
(iii) when we pray in sincerity.
What grabbed me
A very helpful reading.
I liked this comment on the importance of praying with knowledge of who God is: 'None indeed knows God thus but God himself; yet a Scripture knowledge of him is necessary to the right performance of this duty. The want of understanding his omniscience and infinite mercy, is the cause of vain babbling, and a conceit to prevail by long prayers, which our Saviour charges upon the heathen, and prevents in his disciples by acquainting them with these attributes, Matt. 6:7, 8. They came rather narrare than rogare—to inform God than to beg. '
If we know that God knows all, we know we cannot inform him by our prayers and so we should not seek to do so.
Next week's reading
Continue Direction Eleventh by reading Branch Second of Division Third of the Second General Part.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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