Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Martin Luther wrote: “All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from theheart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked anddesired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing whichthey ask. Yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than theyhad dared to ask.” 

Prayer is currently the subject of our morning sermons. As I noted last week,prayer is one of the most difficult things in the Christian life; in fact,Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote that “everything we do in the Christian life is easierthan prayer.” There is no doubt that many of us can appreciate Lloyd-Jones’words. 

But, like many things in life, those things which are most difficult often carry the greatest rewards. Note how many times the word “reward” is used in Matthew6 where we see our Lord teaching on prayer (see also Heb. 11:6). God rewardshis people. And as Luther notes above, sometimes he rewards his people withthings “greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask.”Those who praycan rest assured that even though they may not be aware of this, it isnevertheless true; but we must ask, for if we do not ask we will not receive.

 May God give us grace to seek him like never before in the power of his Spirit.

 Much love in Christ, 

 Mark