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DO THIS FIRST BY DR. STAN BLEVINS True spiritual growth always includes growing in prayer. Nothing is more important for God's people, His church. Prayer is our first order of business--everything else we do is guided and empowered by prayer. John Bunyan, whose prayer life developed in the solitude of the prison where he wrote Pilgrim's Progress, said: "You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed." Prayer. Do this first. Prayer is the blessing of every child of God. God grants His grace that we all may pray. It matters not that we are wise or foolish, rich or poor, great or small, man or woman. We all can approach our Heavenly Father in prayer. Prayer. Do this first. Prayer encourages, inspires, guides, and sustains us. Daniel prayed in the den of lions. Jonah prayed in the belly of a great fish. Elijah prayed under a juniper tree. Peter prayed from the house top. Stephen prayed while being stoned to death. Paul prayed in prison. Jesus, God's Only Son, prayed from the Cross of Calvary. Prayer. Do this first. Prayer shows us the purpose of God, gives us the assurance of His love, and binds us together as His family of believers. Jeremiah 33:3 challenges us: "Call to me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Prayer, Do this first. An anonymous writer said, "Here is a truth that stands out sharp and clear as a cloudless day. God does not, cannot, answer prayers that people never pray." Prayer. Do this first. He that will be much for God must be much with God. E. M. Bounds |
