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Paul, in his concern for the Thessalonian and Colossian saints uses the same thought
(II Thess. 1: 11; Col. 1: 3). Do we uphold in prayer those who are in special need in this
way? It may be that distance separates such from us, but prayer can annihilate the
greatest distance and protect them from harm and danger.
9. True prayer makes doctrine real and experimental.
In Eph. 1: 3-14 the Apostle Paul covers a tremendous sweep of doctrine, revealing the
magnitude of the Father's will, the Son's redemptive work, and the Holy Spirit's present
witness.
However, this did not exhaust what he had to teach the Ephesian saints, but before he
proceeds further, he begins to pray that the truth so far given may become real and
experimental to each of his readers (verses 15-23). Every public Bible reading and every
private reading of the Scriptures should send us to our knees and make us realize the
increasing responsibility that every revelation of Truth brings and the need that we should
not only receive it as Truth (Eph. 1: 17) but practically acknowledge it in our walk and
witness day by day.
Reading about our inheritance in Christ, is like viewing if afar off. Prayer brings it
near and makes it our own possession.
10. True prayer will conform to the will of God.
"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to
His will, He heareth us" (I John 5: 14).
On reaching this point, we have come to the centre of the purpose of all prayer, that is,
to bring each one of us into conformity to the Lord's will, whatever that may involve.
Alas so many of us journey such a long way along the road of Christian experience
before we reach this point. When we can honestly and truthfully say we long for nothing
so much as His will in our lives, whatever that may cost, and when our wills are
completely submerged in His, we have progressed far towards the goal of spiritual
maturity. We shall not reach this stage until we know something of the deception, frailty
and sinfulness of our own hearts, and, at the same time, the boundless love and infinite
concern for our eternal happiness that exists in the heart of our Heavenly Father towards
each one of us. Then, and not till then, can we say as the Saviour did, "Thy will, not
mine, be done" (Luke 22: 42).