A Prayer Tip

A “Prayer Tip” from E. M. Bounds:

Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying. 

  While many private prayers, in the nature of things, must be short; while public prayers, as a rule, ought to be short and condensed; while there is ample room for and value put on ejaculatory prayer — yet in our private communions with God time is a feature essential to its value. Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying.  Prayer which is felt as a mighty force is the mediate or immediate product of much time spent with God.  Our short prayers owe their point and efficiency to the long ones that have preceded them. 

     The short prevailing prayer cannot be prayed by one who has not prevailed with God in a mightier struggle of long continuance.  Jacob’s victory of faith could not have been gained without that all-night wrestling.  God’s acquaintance is not made by pop calls.  God does not bestow his gifts on the casual or hasty comers and goers.  Much time with God alone is the secret of knowing him and of influence with him.  He yields to the persistency of a faith that knows him.  He bestows his richest gifts upon those who declare their desire for and appreciation of those gifts by the constancy as well as earnestness of their importunity.