Of People Of Prayer
The saints of old and those more recent who are known as those who prayed
Even a casual glace through the Old Testament reveals the accounts of praying saints. The historical record of God’s people is one marked by leaders who had a habit of praying. One constant in the accounts of their lives is prayer. They drew away and talked with the Lord.
And we still read of them today. Coincidence? Perhaps, or perhaps not. It is safe to say they did not pray to be remembered by us, but to be heard by God. And He has seen fit to preserve these accounts for us to learn from, draw encouragement from, and model today. If the Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth heard and answered the prayers of these, we can stand in faith that He does so now.
The Holy Spirit will give to the praying saint the brightness of an immortal hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with the heart, He will give sweeter and more enlarged visions of heaven until the taste for other things will pall, and other visions will grow dim and distant. —Rev. E. M. Bounds
We can easily read the stories of Joshua who cried out in the midst of battle for extra daylight in order for Israel to complete the battle and attain victory. The sun and moon were actually stopped as a result. Jacob, too, called upon the Lord when he was in trouble. He wrestled all night, earnestly, urgently and with importunity for the blessing. God then intervened for him and changed his brothers angry heart against him. Job was a man who was blameless and feared the Lord. And he prayed for his children regularly, to sanctify them, for it may be that they had sinned and cursed God in their hearts. As well we find Jonah praying in the belly of a great fish. This prophet who disobeyed the Lord called upon God, who rescued him and caused the fish to vomit him on dry land. He cried out from affliction and the Lord heard him.
Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Hannah, along with Anna, Paul and many others are worthy of our study. Get to know the lives and prayers of these people of God, flawed, but faithful to pray.
It is encouraging.
Fast forward several thousand years and we find other praying people of God. One such was John Hyde, an American missionary in northern India just over 100 years ago. He is perhaps best known for his bold, passionate and heartfelt prayers to God for converts there. He is known commonly as “Praying Hyde.” Often he spent thirty days and nights in prayer and many times was on his knees in deep intercession for thirty-six hours at a time. 1 And, “One of the most striking features of John Hyde’s life was his willingness to remain hidden and unrecognized” It is also said of him, ““How often in the prayer room he would break out into tears over the sins of the world and especially for God’s children.” 2
Children of God, watchers on the wall, we are those same people of our day. Who of them set out to be famous? Who among us prays to be recognized or remembered? No, we pray much in secrecy and silence, in seclusion and solitude. Our prayers are remembered only by God.
Let us have faith that He indeed hears us when we call.
Praying the Word of God on behalf of the People of God
Monday - Galatians 5:22 - love, joy, and peace
Tuesday - Galatians 5:22 - patience, kindness, and goodness
Wednesday - Galatians 5:22 - faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
Until Thursday, grace and peace
Photo by Aaron Andrew Ang on Unsplash