Streams in the Desert Devotional 29 September 2020 – Long Hours

Streams in the Desert Devotional 29 September 2020 By L.B Cowman

Topic: Long Hours

Scripture: I will give myself unto prayer – Ps 109:4

We are often in a religious hurry in our devotions. How much time do we spend in them daily? Can it not be easily reckoned in minutes? Who ever knew an eminently holy man who did not spend much of his time in prayer? Did ever a man exhibit much of the spirit of prayer, who did not devote much time in his closet?

Whitefield says, “Whole days and weeks have I spent prostrate on the ground, in silent or vocal prayer.” “Fall upon your knees and grow there,” is the language of another, who knew whereof he affirmed.

It has been said that no great work in literature or science was ever wrought by a man who did not love solitude. We may lay it down as an elemental principle of religion, that no large growth in holiness was ever gained by one who did not take time to be often, and long, alone with God.—The Still Hour

“’Come, come,’ He saith, ’O soul oppressed and weary,
Come to the shadows of my desert rest;
Come walk with Me far from life’s babbling discords,
And peace shall breathe like music in thy breast.’”

Streams in the Desert Devotional 29 September 2020 By L.B Cowman

Today’s Verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. – John 10:10 KJV

Morning Prayer: Lord, teach us how to pray. We thank You for the privilege of prayer, that we can bring our wants and wishes to You freely, no matter what they are — sure that You will give them patient consideration. You never despise the prayer of any of Your children. The feeblest and lowest may come with the smallest request — and You will open the door to hear. We rejoice that we have such a loving Father in Heaven.

Teach us how to pray. Give us the confidence of children. Help us to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our times of need. We are sure of Your willingness to do always for us, the thing that is best. So we would cast our requests upon You, saying, “As You will.” Give us the faith that will trust You with our desires — leaving to You how and when the answer shall come. If the thing we ask for is not given, help us to believe that refusal is greater kindness to us than the granting of the request would have been.

We come with our requests for temporal blessings. We ask You for daily bread, for health, for prosperity in business. If it be Your will, Father, grant us all these mercies and favors. If any of them are withheld, we are sure it shall be in love, and we will say, “May Your will, not ours, be done.”

We pray also for spiritual blessings, asking You to give us more grace, more love, more of Your Spirit’s influence. Hear these our prayers, and give us an answer of peace. So may we abide in You, and may Your love enter into our hearts. Give as the best things, the things we need the most — not what we ask, unless what we ask is best. We make these prayers in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.