Perseverance in Prayer
‘‘Ir is not reason,’’ said Peter, ‘‘that we should
leave the Word of God, and serve tables’’ (Acts 6: 2). For that work deacons were chosen. And this
word of Peter serves for all time and for all who
are set apart as ministers. ‘‘We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.’’? Dr. Alexander Whyte, in an address, once said: ‘‘I] think sometimes, when my salary is paid to me so faithfully and punctually: the deacons have performed faithfully their part of the agreement; have I been so faithful in my part, in persevering in prayer and the ministry of the Word?’’ Another minister has said: ‘‘ How surprised people would be if 1 proposed to divide my time between these two equally — one-half given to prayer, the other to the ministry of the Word?’’ Notice, in the case of Peter, what perseverance in prayer meant. He went up on the roof to pray. There, in prayer, he received heavenly instruction as to his work among the heathen. There, the message from Cornelius came to him. There, the Holy Spirit said to him: ‘‘Rise, and go with the three men who seek thee.’’ And from there he went to Cesarea, where the Spirit was so unexpectedly outpoured on the heathen. All this is to teach us that it is through prayer God will give the instruction
of His Spirit to make us understand His will, to Oe ge a
te ts a a ES ni a= let us know with whom we are to speak, to give us the assurance that His Spirit will make His Word powerful through us.
Have you ever earnestly thought over why it is that you have a salary and a parsonage, and are set free from the need of following earthly business? It is for nothing else than that you should continue in prayer and the ministry of the Word. That will be your wisdom and your power. That will be the secret of a blessed service of the Gospel.
No wonder that there is complaint about the ineffective spiritual life in minister and congregation, while that which is of prime importance, perseverance in prayer, does not hold its rightful place — the first place. Peter was able to speak and act as he did, beyause he was filled with the Spirit. Let us not be satisfied with anything less than hearty surrender to and undivided appropriation of the Spirit, as Leader and Lord of our lives. Nothing less will help us. Then, for the first time, we shall be able to say: ‘‘God hath made us able ministers of His Spirit.’’