TWENTY-NINTH DAY
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Spirit of Intercession
="I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you."=--JOHN xv. 16.
="Hitherto ye have asked nothing in My name. In that day ye shall ask in My name."=--JOHN xvi. 24, 26.
Has not our school of intercession taught us how little we have prayed in the name of Jesus? He promised His disciples: In that day, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, ye shall ask in My name. Are there not tens of thousands with us mourning the lack of the power of intercession? Let our intercession to-day be for them and all G.o.d"s children, that Christ may teach us that the Holy Spirit is in us; and what it is to live in His fulness, and to yield ourselves to His intercession work within us.
The Church and the world need nothing so much as a mighty Spirit of Intercession to bring down the power of G.o.d on earth. Pray for the descent from heaven of the Spirit of Intercession for a great prayer revival.
HOW TO PRAY.--Abiding in Christ
="If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done to you."=--JOHN xv. 7.
Our acceptance with G.o.d, our access to Him, is all in Christ. As we consciously abide in Him we have the liberty, not a liberty to our old nature or our self-will, but the Divine liberty from all self-will, to ask what we will, in the power of the new nature, and it shall be done.
Let us keep this place, and believe even now that our intercession is heard, and that the Spirit of Supplication will be given all around us.
SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS
THIRTIETH DAY
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit with the Word of G.o.d
="Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much a.s.surance."=--1 THESS. i. 5.
="Those who preached unto you the gospel with the Holy Ghost sent forth from heaven."=--1 PET. i. 12.
What numbers of Bibles are being circulated. What numbers of sermons on the Bible are being preached. What numbers of Bibles are being read in home and school. How little blessing when it comes "in word" only; what Divine blessing and power when it comes "in the Holy Ghost," when it is preached "with the Holy Ghost sent forth from heaven." Pray for Bible circulation, and preaching and teaching and reading, that it may all be in the Holy Ghost, with much prayer. Pray for the power of the Spirit with the word in your own neighbourhood, wherever it is being read or heard. Let every mention of "The Word of G.o.d" waken intercession.
HOW TO PRAY.--Watching and Praying
="Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; withal praying for us also, that G.o.d may open for us a door for the word."=--COL. iv. 2, 3.
Do you not see how all depends upon G.o.d and prayer? As long as He lives and loves, and hears and works, as long as there are souls with hearts closed to the word, as long as there is work to be done in carrying the word--=Pray without ceasing. Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving. These words are for every Christian.=
SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS
THIRTY-FIRST DAY
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Spirit of Christ in His People
="I am the Vine, ye are the branches."=--JOHN xv. 5.
="That ye should do as I have done to you."=--JOHN xiii. 15.
As branches we are to be so like the Vine, so entirely identified with it, that all may see that we have the same nature, and life, and spirit.
When we pray for the Spirit, let us not only think of a Spirit of power, but the very disposition and temper of Christ Jesus. Ask and expect nothing less: for yourself, and all G.o.d"s children, cry for it.