Put Prayer Back at the Top!

April 23, 2008

Dear Friend,

Have you noticed how often we pray when it’s the last thing to do? I’ve heard people say, after they have tried everything they can think of and are practically at their wit’s end, “Well, I guess all that’s left is prayer.” As if they’re down to the last option, and they’ve tried all the bigger ones, the ones that were going to make it happen, and now, “Let’s do the prayer thing.”

I think we should put prayer back up on the top of the list. That should be the first option, and keep praying all the time we move through the other options. Every effort needs to be bathed with prayer; every alternative attempted should be prayed over first. Prayer should be the first thing we do, the last thing, and keep praying in between!

So, when you get to a point in your life or your plans where it seems you are looking at the road signs in this picture, with no way out, don’t despair! Remember what S-T-O-P means? That’s right! Stop To Offer Prayer. In every difficulty we must see a call to prayer. Do you see it in this picture? That’s right; it’s at the very top:  S-T-O-P.

The path of sincerity and integrity is not a path free from obstruction, but in every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer. There is no one living who has any power that he has not received from God, and the source whence it comes is open to the weakest human being. "Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name," said Jesus, "that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it."  Desire of Ages, page 667.

The path of men who are placed as leaders is not an easy one. But they are to see in every difficulty a call to prayer. Never are they to fail of consulting the great Source of all wisdom. Strengthened and enlightened by the Master Worker, they will be enabled to stand firm against unholy influences and to discern right from wrong, good from evil. They will approve that which God approves, and will strive earnestly against the introduction of wrong principles into His cause.  Prophets and Kings, page 31.

Have a great day! I’m praying for you!