Pastor and author A. B. Simpson told about an old farmer who plowed around a large rock in his field year after year. He had broken one cultivator and two plowshares by hitting it. Each time he saw that obstacle, he grumbled about how much trouble the rock had caused.
The men who have accomplished more for God have been men of prayer. John Wesley was wont to spent at least two hours each day in prayer. Samuel Rutherford rose at three o'clock each morning to wait upon God. John Fletcher was said to have stained the walls of his chamber by the breath of his prayers. The greatest missionaries have been uniformly men of prayer.
We must consider times and seasons. George Mueller used to say that he first asked and settled this question concerning any proposed measure: "Is this the Lord's work?" Then, "Is this the Lord's way?" And last, not least, "Is this the Lord's time?"
Pinpoint Prayers
If we want specific answers to our prayers, we must make definite, individual, personalized requests.
Too many of our prayers are filled with sweeping generalizations that seek God's blessings. Effective, fervent prayer, however, focuses on specific requests. If we pinpoint our prayers, we will have reason to praise God for particular answers!
I was headed out the door one morning when my wife Sue said, "Don't forget to pray for Julie. She has a big test today." It's not unusual for Sue to give me a reminder like that before I leave. "Don't worry," I replied, "I'll be on prayer patrol!"
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