"In the morning was more engaged in preparing the head than the heart. This has been frequently my error, and I have always felt the evil of it especially in prayer. Reform it then, O LORD!" -- Robert Murray McCheyne
"The whole of the man must be given to God in praying. The largest results in praying come to him who gives himself, all of himself, all that belongs to himself, to God. This is the secret of full consecration, and this is a condition of successful praying, and the sort of praying that brings the largest fruits." -- E. M. Bounds
THE PRIORITY
Some men get it, no matter what the circumstances of their life might be, they are on top. What is the secret to a successful and overcoming life? It seems to me that the old saying is true, "It's not what you know, but who you know." The person who enjoys intimate fellowship with the eternal and omnipotent creator is the One who overcomes trials, difficulties, and temptations. The priority for successful living is knowing the One who is always successful.
THE PROCEDURE
The procedure for knowing the one, true, and living God, is the application of faith that is not compromised by half-hearted praying.
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." -- James 1:5-8
There is a "but" attached to the promise that James gives to us. He tells us that God does not hold back wisdom to those who ask. He doesn't hold back from giving, but we hold back in the way we pray. The question, Lord, why haven't y
ou answered my prayer, might best be explained by - our whole heart was not in it.
THE PAIN
"Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well," my paternal father used to say. Worthwhile praying is not without the struggle to place our whole heart in it. Every time we pray, we face a battle in our soul to put all of our selves, mind, emotions, and willingness, on the altar to ask in faith.
"Holiness is wholeness, and so God wants holy men, men whole-hearted and true, for His service and the work of praying." -- E. M Bounds