Morning and Evening

November 3, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, even unto heaven." — 2 Chronicles 30:27 · KJV

Prayer is the never-failing resort of the Christian in any case, in every plight. When you cannot use your sword, you may take up the weapon of all-prayer. Your powder may be damp, your bowstring may be slack, but the weapon of all-prayer need never be out of order. Leviathan laughs at the javelin, but he trembles at prayer. Sword and spear need polishing, but prayer never rusts, and when we think it most blunt, it cuts the best. Prayer is an open door that none can shut. Devils may surround you on all sides, but the way upward is always open; and as long as that road is unobstructed, you will not fall into the enemy's hand. We can never be taken by blockade, siege, mine, or storm, so long as heavenly help can come down to us by Jacob's ladder to relieve us in our time of need. Prayer is never out of season: in summer and in winter its merchandise is precious. Prayer gains audience with heaven in the dead of night, in the midst of business, in the heat of noon, in the shades of evening. In every condition — poverty, sickness, obscurity, slander, or doubt — your covenant God will welcome your prayer and answer it from His holy place. Nor is prayer ever futile; true prayer is evermore true power. You may not always get what you ask, but you shall always have your real wants supplied. When God does not answer His children according to the letter, He does so according to the spirit. If you ask for coarse meal, will you be angry because He gives you the finest flour? If you seek bodily health, should you complain if instead He turns your sickness to the healing of spiritual maladies? Is it not better to have the cross sanctified than removed? This evening, my soul, forget not to offer your petition and request, for the Lord is ready to grant you your desires.

---