The Pilgrim Path---Matthew 6: 6

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

YOUR FATHER WHO SEES…

This past week the LORD answered prayer by giving some of our “new” missionary friends the funds to get to Panama City, Panama. Not happenstance or coincidence. It came in answer to direct intercession and supplication. It was splendid to visit with one of our dear souls who has known genuine anxiety. Well, the Living Christ had brought peace into the situation. All the circumstances seemed remarkably similar---but this precious saint was renewed by the Holy Spirit amid all the challenges. Again, not a product of chance---a byproduct of prayer! Prayer changes things---and so often, prayer changes us. Why would we expect any different result? Time spent with the God-Man Jesus---is designed to impart life and peace. In taking time to commune with Him---we get Him…

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8: 15

The Followers of Jesus have to “talk” to the Father. They have been adopted into the family of heaven…

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Psalm 51: 1, 2

The Followers of Jesus do want to keep fellowship intact. They will “name” sin---and turn from it (First John 1: 9).

Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25: 4, 5

The Followers of Jesus will ask for direction in prayer---they know they cannot direct their own lives. They “need” the Great Shepherd of Souls everyday…

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not without your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6: 27 – 31

The Followers of Jesus ask the Master to support and strengthen them---so they may “love” well---even their enemies---and pray for them…

Through him (Jesus) we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope… Romans 5: 2 – 4

The Followers of Jesus learn that suffering has a ministry in our lives---working in us, to enhance our hope “in” the glory of God. We pray for a better grasp---and the grace to learn God’s statutes well (Psalm 119: 71).

From George Swinnock: There is no duty that has so many promises attached to it, gives more honor to God, or which receives more honor from God. It is a guard to secure the fort of the heart, a porter to keep the door of the lips, and a shield to protect the hands. It perfumes every relation and profits every condition. No one can deprive you of this privilege. You can pray with Peter on the house top, with Jonah at the bottom of the ocean, walking with Isaac, with our Savior on the mountain, or in the prison with Paul. Every saint is God’s temple and may pray anywhere…A prayer in a moment can fly to the highest heavens. It is a sweet savor to God, a terror to the devil, and a shelter to the Christian. Bernard calls it the conqueror of him who is invincible, and Luther says that it is omnipotent. By prayer fire has been quenched, water divided, the mouths of lions stopped, iron gates opened, the windows of heaven opened, the course of nature overturned, diseases removed, health restored, sin subdued, grace bestowed, kingdoms supported, enemies scattered, the blind restored, and devils cast out…

From John Duncan: You think he’s not willing to give much: I tell you he’s not willing to give so little…

HYMN

My soul, ask what thou wilt; thou canst not be too bold;

Since his own blood for thee he spilt, what else can he withhold?

Thine image, LORD, bestow, thy presence and thy love;

I ask to serve thee here below, and reign with thee above.

Teach me to live by faith; conform my will to thine;

Let me victorious be in death, and then in glory shine.

John Newton, 1779

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason