I’ve learned over the years that there are a few experiences that help us see the mercies of God at work. When I say, “see” I mean recognize. One of those experiences is in our time of private prayer. When your soul is settled down and quiet and the Spirit of the Lord is speaking through His Word, there is clarity. There is clarity about God and what He is doing.
Prayer is also a tool to access the mercies and graces of God. Has He not invited us to inquire of Him in time of need? Then in prayer ask for His mercies and goodness. Ask. This is so simple but do we take Him up on His invitation to inquire for mercy. Seriously, do you?
A time of solitude with God in prayer not only helps us recognize the hand of God in and around our lives, and to help us settle our mind down to inquire for the lovingkindness of God for ourselves and for others, there is another blessing related to God’s mercies. Prayer prepares us FOR the mercies and graces of God in our lives. When the soul is laid bare before the Lord it is surrendered to His will and purpose of His mercies. The soul is less to take His mercies for granted, nor to neglect them. The soul is more grateful and humbled by His gifts of mercy. The soul in such a dependent and humble place is more apt to recognize the weight of such sovereign goodness and graciousness.
Oh that the Church would realize how valuable private prayer time is concerning the mercies and graces of God in our lives and in the lives of others. Let’s not neglect such a time to breath in and exhale the mercies of God. Let’s not take them for granted or think that God is somehow obligated to pour them upon us and others–because He is not. He is obligated to nothing. But He has called us to ask for them.
An unofficial footnote on the subject of the mercy of God: I recently taught three sermons on the subject. If you’d like to learn more about the divine mercy of God, click on this link to take you to these sermons: https://www.muddycreekbaptist.org/recent
Do you not have because you do not ask? Do you not see the mercies of God because you do not know what to look for? Is your mind and emotions too busy to be quiet? Remember to close yourself in the proverbial closet and be one-on-one with the Father. Leave the world and your busy life on the other side of the door. Come, seek the Lord, for He who is rich in mercy and grace will meet you there.
Here are a few choice quotes from Thomas Brooks on prayer and mercy.
Oh, how sweet is that mercy that comes flying in upon the wing of prayer!
Prayer prepares and fits us for mercy, and mercy for us. It is prayer that gives us a right and holy use of all our mercies.
_______________________
Brooks, T. (1866). The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks. (A. B. Grosart, Ed.) (Vol. 2, p. 237). Edinburgh; London; Dublin: James Nichol; James Nisbet and Co.; G. Herbert.
Leave a Reply