Spurgeon on January 2

"Continue in prayer."
- Colossians 4:2



It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied
with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing
precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we
read, "Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;" and just as we
are about to close the volume, the "Amen" of an earnest supplication meets
our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob-there a
Daniel who prayed three times a day-and a David who with all his heart
called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and
Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does
this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may
be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended
to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is
because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities,
that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want
nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy
to ask of God? Then, may the Lord's mercy show thee thy misery! A
prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the
believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the
dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the
comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of
God, thou wilt seek thy Father's face, and live in thy Father's love. Pray
that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have
closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house
of his love.
Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that
thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master.
The motto for this year must be, "Continue in prayer."