1 Peter 4:7 (ESV)
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be
self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
A foreign soldier was brought before his commanding
officer and accused of communicating with the enemy. He had been seen emerging
from an area where their troops were known to patrol. The poor man summed up
his defense in a few words, stating that he had slipped away to spend an hour
alone in prayer. "Have you been in the habit of spending an hour in
private prayer?" demanded the officer. "Yes, Sir," he replied.
"Well" said his commander, "never in your life have you been in
more need of prayer than right now. Kneel down and pray aloud so that we all
may hear you."
Expecting cruel punishment, maybe even death, the soldier
dropped to his knees and poured out his heart to God. His prayer revealed a
deep intimacy with God. His earnest fluency, humble appeal for divine
intervention, and very evident trust in one who was strong to deliver, told
without a doubt that he came regularly to the throne of grace.
"You are free to go," said the officer.
"No one could have prayed that way without a long apprenticeship --
soldiers who never attend drill are always ill at ease for the review."
I heard a statistic not long ago, that the average
Christian only spends about seven minutes a day in prayer. We need to practice
prayer in our lives that we may be able to endure when trials come our way and
stand strong against the enemy and his tactics!
Dear Lord, help us to become disciplined in reading our
Bible and praying. In the Name of Jesus,
Amen.
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