Apprising Ministries is pleased to bring you this teaching by Charles Spurgeon on the critical importance of prayer. How we need men and women of prayer in this generation of spiritually spineless leaders within the American Christian Church today; may the Lord have mercy on us:

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

There is a high and blessed duty and privilege—I will call it both—which is to every Christian the necessity of his life, and that is to pray. Can you pray, my brother? If you know how to pray, you can move Heaven and earth. Can you pray, my brother? Then you can set Almighty forces in operation. You can suffer no need, for everlasting supplies await the hand of prayer: “Ask, and it shall be given you.” You cannot miss your way, for you shall be guided in answer to prayer. You shall hear a Voice behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21, KJV).

“O sir,” you say, “I cannot pray prevailingly.” Then you are not like Jacob, good at wrestling. Well, then, let me bring the text before you. Out of this weakness in prayer, you can only be made strong by faith. Believe in God, and you will prevail with God. Believe in His promise, and plead it. Believe in His Spirit, and pray by His help. Believe in Jesus, Who makes intercession; for through Him you may come boldly to the Throne of Grace.

He who knows how to pray has his hand on a lever that moves the universe. But there is no praying without believing. Believe in prayer, and you will pray believingly. Some do not think that there is much in prayer. Poor souls! The Lord teach them to pray better!

(Charles Spurgeon, At the Master’s Feet, March 9)