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

Required readingThe Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Direction Eleventh by reading Division Fifth.

My summary

Today we learn what is meant by 'with all perseverance' in Direction Eleventh: 'Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (Eph. 6:18) 

Gurnall teaches us that this refers to the constancy proper to prayer and dispatches it under four heads:

(i) By giving the importance of this phrase, 'all perseverance';

(ii) By giving the reason why we are to pray 'with all perseverance';

(iii) By casting in some considerations to move us to the duty;

(iv) By winding up the discourse with a word of counsel and direction for the help of the weak Christian therein.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed the reasons to persevere in prayer.  

Particularly this one: 'Such mercies as are the issue of persevering prayers, they are received usually with more joy and thankfulness than others. Partly they are so, because the Christian's desires are more intense and sharp by long staying and earnest praying for them—and so he tastes more sweetness in the mercy, as he that comes hungry from a long journey at plough relisheth his food better than another that hath not whetted his appetite with any labour or exercise; and also because such mercies give disappointment to the Christian's many fears, which their long stay occasioned. When God is long a coming, we are prone to question whether he will come at last or no: 'Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?' Ps. 77:7, 8. See how many sad thoughts gathered about this good man's heart; which, though they did not overthrow his chariot of prayer, yet clogged his wheels, and made him drive with a heavy heart. Now, for a mercy to break out of so dark a cloud, it must needs bring such a glory with it as to ravish the soul with joy and enlarge it into thankfulness. Those judgments amaze and dispirit sinners most which come after long peace and prosperity, when they think the danger is over and bitterness of death is even past; as in Haman's case, who was sent to the gallows after he had vaunted how he was invited to the queen's banquet. This strange turn of his affairs made it a double death to him. So, mercies that surprise the saint after he hath prayed long, and can hear no tidings that they are on their way, O how it affects his heart with joy and gratitude! The church had prayed 'without ceasing' for Peter in prison, but still he is there, even to the very time when Herod would have brought him forth—probably to his execution. Now, when he came himself to bring the joyful news their prayers were heard—while they were instant at the work—it is said 'they were astonished,' Acts 12:16'

It is to our advantage to persist in prayer, as the answer will be all the more sweet when it arrives.

Next week's reading

Conclude Direction Eleventh by reading Division Sixth.

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