Magnificent Prayer #42
Magnificent Prayer #42
Then Isaiah said, “Prepare a poultice of figs.” They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered.
2 Kings 20:7
I would have you understand that prayer must be accompanied by means. It is an outrage to ask God to do a thing while we sit passively. Prayer, to be acceptable, must come not only from the heart, but from the hands. We must work while we pray—devotion and work going together. Luther came to his [dying friend’s] bedside and prayed for his recovery, and insisted, at the same time, that he should take some warm soup, the soup being just as important as the prayer.
In the time of the great plague that came to England, the priests prayed all day and all night for removal of the plague, but didn’t think of clearing out the dead dogs and cats that lay in the gutters, causing the sickness. We must use means as well as supplication.
If a man prays for good health, and then sits down to a full supper of indigestibles at eleven o’clock at night, his prayer is a mockery. A man has no right to pray for the safety of his family when he knows there is no cover on the cistern.
The Christian man, reckless about his health, ought not to expect the same answer to his prayer as the Christian man expects who retires regularly at a reasonable hour and practices good hygiene.
Paul said to the passengers of the Alexandrian corn-ship that they would get safely ashore, but he told them that they must use means, and that was, “Stick to the old ship!”
God is not weak, needing our help, but God is strong and asks us to cooperate with him that we may be strong too. Pray by all means, but don’t forget the fig-poultice.
T. DEWITT TALMADGE
Pray About It: Often in prayer, God will give us the means to our prayer’s answer. If the need is financial, He may prompt us to a specific job change. Or if a rebellious child is the problem, God may give specific instructions on what to do for the child. Practical advice from God may come from reading a book, hearing advice from a friend, or be revealed to us as we pray. Sometimes, we know full well what to do, but continue to pray, asking God to do what we know we should do.
As you pray, always be asking God, “Is there a fig poultice for this situation?” If yes, then do what you know you must.
See that you do not use the trick of prayer to cover up what you know you ought to do.
OSWALD CHAMBERS
From the book
