Deeper Life #124

And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.

—Genesis 12:8

WHAT IS PRAYER? THE PREPARATION for spiritual battle? Never! Prayer is the battle.

When do you pray? A practice of Jesus’ life revealed the secret of prayer. Jesus enjoyed “victorious days” because He spent many nights alone in prayer. And when did His lonely nights of prayer come? Usually after a day of victory. Like Him, we must learn how to cope with victory.

Let me illustrate. One of our younger Scottish peers went to the Alps and climbed a certain peak with a guide. Then he tried one that had not been ascended before. When he came to the pinnacle, he turned aside and began jumping about. His guide told him it was not safe behaving like that and said to get down on his knees.

After reaching a point of spiritual victory, get down on your knees. Pray! Commune with God. Do not shout to others.

Prayer Thought: In these hectic days, enable me to separate myself from others and really pray—as You did, Lord.

SUGGESTED READING: Luke 6:12–18