How They Prayed, Vol. 3: Is prayer our chief work?

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The book by Edwin and Lillian Harvey, entitled How They Prayed Volume 3, reveals the part prayer prayed in revivals, widespread and local, and the emphasis those men used of God in these revivals placed on private and public prayer. The following missionaries to the Orient exhort us out of their rich experience of prevailing prayer, to give communion with God top priority:

“Secret prayer is commonly considered a duty which must be performed every morning and evening, in order to keep a conscience void of offense. But do not, my dear brother, entertain an opinion as defective. Consider secret prayer as one of the three great works of thy life. Arrange thy affairs, if possible, so that thou canst leisurely devote two or three hours every day, not merely to devotional exercises, but to the very act of secret prayer and communion with God. Endeavor several times a day, to withdraw from business and company, and lift up thy soul to God in private retirement.”
–Adoniram Judson

“‘Wait on thy God CONTINUALLY,’ and the beginning of departure is found in only waiting upon God OCCASIONALLY.” A. N. Groves

“Our question to every reader is, What place does prayer have in your life? Has it the first place or a secondary place? We all believe in prayer but is it fundamental work? Or supplemental?
“We may think that our work is so urgent that we cannot give time to prayer; but this worker says, and many would confirm her statement, that the work has not suffered in any way; one is able to do more work, when prayer has its rightful place in our lives; the work runs more smoothly, difficulties vanish away, when we take everything to the Lord in prayer.
“Shall this be a message for you, dear fellow-worker? Let us revise our estimate of the values of spiritual forces. Shall we make prayer our chief work?”– John Hyde (often known as “Praying Hyde).

The Lord is my pace setter
I shall not rush.
He makes me stop,
And rest for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness
Which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency
Through calmness of mind.
And His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things
To accomplish each day,
I will not fret,
For His presence is here,
His timelessness,
His all-importance,
Will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal
In the midst of my activity.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness
Shall be the fruits of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,
And dwell in His house for ever.–Toki Miyashiro (With apologies to the Psalmist, David)

These quotations have been taken from How They Prayed Volume Three which is published by Harvey Christian Publishers and is available in their Online Christian Bookstore.

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