Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 18:1 which reads: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." 

Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Calvin. He said, "To know God as the Master and Bestower of all good things, who invites us to request them of Him, and still not go to Him and ask of Him – this would be of as little profit as for a man to neglect a treasure, buried and hidden in the earth, after it had been pointed out to him."

Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:17 which reads: "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." 

Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary:

This instance with Elijah of the extraordinary efficacy of prayer is recorded for encouragement even to ordinary Christians to be instant and earnest in prayer. God never says to any of the seed of Jacob, Seek my face in vain. If Elijah by prayer could do such great and wonderful things, surely the prayers of no righteous man shall return void. Where there may not be so much of a miracle in God’s answering our prayers, yet there may be as much of grace.

Our prayer motivator quote today is from John MacNaughtan. He said: "[Prayer] is generally neglected; just as if the clear statements of Scripture regarding the potency, the almost miraculous efficacy of prayer, were designed as a pillow on which the church might slumber, rather than as a mighty stimulus to rouse to heroic achievements and urge on to glorious efforts in the cause of the Redeemer."

Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 11 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice.

Years ago at Marquette Manor Baptist Church in Chicago, a young man came forward wanting to be saved. He was from Tennessee where they were accustomed to the mourners' bench and to long waiting on God and begging God for salvation. His mother had shouted when she was saved; he, too, felt he must shout or he would not know he was saved. I told him that he only had to trust Christ. Then I asked dear Mr. Frank Sheriff of the Christian Business Men's Committee to take the Bible and show the young man how to be saved.

They went to the inquiry room and spent a good long while together. After the services this young man came back with Mr. Sheriff. The Bible had done its blessed work. He shook my hand and said, "Brother Rice, I don't feel like I wanted to feel, but the Bible says I am saved!"

You may be sure he was saved. When he trusted in Christ, he got everlasting life. If he went on to serve the Lord and win souls, and grow in grace, he had all the joy and blessed emotion that he needed. But the emotional crisis is not the sure proof of salvation. Simple trusting in Christ's Word, in His blood, in His love, in His atonement, is the one sure way to be saved.

+ Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray"

Our prayer motivator verse for today is John 15:16 which reads: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." 

Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Ole Hallesby. He said, "Helplessness united with faith produces prayer, for without faith there can be no prayer."

Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:17 which reads: "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." 

Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary:

The great advantage and efficacy of prayer are declared and proved: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much," whether he pray for himself or for others: witness the example of Elias. He who prays must be a righteous man; not righteous in an absolute sense (for this Elias was not, who is here made a pattern to us), but righteous in a gospel sense; not loving nor approving of any iniquity. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer." Further, the prayer itself must be a fervent, in-wrought, well-wrought prayer. It must be a pouring out of the heart to God; and it must proceed from a faith unfeigned. Such prayer avails much. It is of great advantage to ourselves, it may be very beneficial to our friends, and we are assured of its being acceptable to God. It is good having those for friends whose prayers are available in the sight of God. 

We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast.

Our prayer motivator quote today is from The Kneeling Christian. He said: "The great Heavenly Banker will not cash checks for us if our motives are not right. Is not this why so many fail in prayer? Christ’s name is the revelation of His character. To pray “in His name” is to pray in His character, as His representative sent by Him: it is to pray by His Spirit and according to His will; to have His approval in our asking, to seek what He seeks, to ask help to do what He Himself would wish to be done, and to desire to do it not for our own glorification, but for His glory alone. To pray “in His name” we must have identity of interests and purpose. Self and its aims and desires must be entirely controlled by God’s Holy Spirit, so that our wills are in complete harmony with Christ’s will."

Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 9 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice.

In Romans 10:13 we are told, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

But to call, in the sense of that verse, simply means to call once. It is not a prolonged begging and pleading. Nothing like that is taught in that verse or any other Bible verse. The soul that asks Jesus for mercy gets it. The very asking is simple evidence of the faith in the heart, a willingness to receive what God has long been offering the sinner. It is not that any certain outward calling is necessary to salvation, for it is not. Rather, one who calls on the Lord shows, proves he has trusted. In the following verse, Romans 10:14 explains, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?"

One who calls on Christ has already trusted Him, and the calling is simply the evidence and proof of the faith that instantly saves. The one who calls has already trusted.

Again, a similar thought is involved in the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:32, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

One who claims Christ is saved. Certainly, it does not take long to own or claim Christ. Again, it is not the confession that saves. Joseph of Arimathaea was a disciple of Christ, and was saved, though he was a secret disciple and had never openly confessed Christ. Confession does not save. Rather, it is the proof that one has trusted Christ in the heart. As little time as it takes a poor sinner to claim Christ as Saviour, in less time than that he has looked to the Saviour, trusted Him in the heart, and has been saved.

+ Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer"

Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:17 which reads: "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." 

Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary:

The great advantage and efficacy of prayer are declared and proved: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much," whether he pray for himself or for others: witness the example of Elias. He who prays must be a righteous man; not righteous in an absolute sense (for this Elias was not, who is here made a pattern to us), but righteous in a gospel sense; not loving nor approving of any iniquity. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer." Further, the prayer itself must be a fervent, in-wrought, well-wrought prayer. It must be a pouring out of the heart to God; and it must proceed from a faith unfeigned. Such prayer avails much. It is of great advantage to ourselves, it may be very beneficial to our friends, and we are assured of its being acceptable to God. It is good having those for friends whose prayers are available in the sight of God. 

We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast.

Our prayer motivator quote today is from The Kneeling Christian. He said: "The great Heavenly Banker will not cash checks for us if our motives are not right. Is not this why so many fail in prayer? Christ’s name is the revelation of His character. To pray “in His name” is to pray in His character, as His representative sent by Him: it is to pray by His Spirit and according to His will; to have His approval in our asking, to seek what He seeks, to ask help to do what He Himself would wish to be done, and to desire to do it not for our own glorification, but for His glory alone. To pray “in His name” we must have identity of interests and purpose. Self and its aims and desires must be entirely controlled by God’s Holy Spirit, so that our wills are in complete harmony with Christ’s will."

Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 9 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice.

In Romans 10:13 we are told, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

But to call, in the sense of that verse, simply means to call once. It is not a prolonged begging and pleading. Nothing like that is taught in that verse or any other Bible verse. The soul that asks Jesus for mercy gets it. The very asking is simple evidence of the faith in the heart, a willingness to receive what God has long been offering the sinner. It is not that any certain outward calling is necessary to salvation, for it is not. Rather, one who calls on the Lord shows, proves he has trusted. In the following verse, Romans 10:14 explains, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?"

One who calls on Christ has already trusted Him, and the calling is simply the evidence and proof of the faith that instantly saves. The one who calls has already trusted.

Again, a similar thought is involved in the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:32, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

One who claims Christ is saved. Certainly, it does not take long to own or claim Christ. Again, it is not the confession that saves. Joseph of Arimathaea was a disciple of Christ, and was saved, though he was a secret disciple and had never openly confessed Christ. Confession does not save. Rather, it is the proof that one has trusted Christ in the heart. As little time as it takes a poor sinner to claim Christ as Saviour, in less time than that he has looked to the Saviour, trusted Him in the heart, and has been saved.

+ Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer"

Our prayer motivator verse for today is Zechariah 4:6, which reads: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” 

Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Jeremy Taylor. He said, "Easiness of desire is a great enemy to the success of a good man's prayer. It must be an intent, zealous, busy, operative prayer. For consider what a huge indecency it is that a man should speak to God for a thing that he values not.  Our prayers upbraid our spirits when we beg tamely for those things for which we ought to die. Things which are more precious than Imperial Scepters, richer than the spoils of the sea or the treasures of the Indian hills."

Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Samuel 1:10 and 15 which reads: “And [Hannah] was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore...And Hannah answered [Eli] and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD." 

Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary:

Hannah mingled tears with her prayers; she considered the mercy of our God, who knows the troubled soul. God gives us leave, in prayer, not only to ask good things in general, but to mention that special good thing we most need and desire...Hannah went away with satisfaction of mind. She had herself by prayer committed her case to God, and Eli had prayed for her. Prayer is heart's ease to a gracious soul. Prayer will smooth the countenance; it should do so. None will long remain miserable, who use aright the privilege of going to the mercy-seat of a reconciled God in Christ Jesus. 

Our prayer motivator quote today is from an John Stott. He said: "Because [prayer for the church] is secret and therefore unrewarded by men, we shall only undertake it if we long for their spiritual welfare more than for their thanks."

Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 8 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice.

Many other Scriptures which deal with the plan of salvation make it clear that it is instantaneous. 

For instance, John 6:37 says, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

That coming is by faith, of course, a believing act of the heart. It is another way of saying the same thing. But it does not say, "Him that cometh and keeps on coming and keeps on coming unto me, I will in no wise cast out." No! There is no time element in that coming. The instant a sinner in his heart comes to God, he has salvation.

Just so in John 1:12, which says, "As many as received him", were saved. And the receiving is simply to say "yes" to Jesus and let Him come into the heart. It could not possibly require any prolonged process. When the door is unlocked, the Saviour comes in. When the heart says "yes", the Saviour does what He has longed to do and has been begging to be allowed to do. 

+ Plus, listen to Daitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things"

Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Matthew 7:7 which reads: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." 

Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John MacArthur. He said, "Prayer is the spontaneous response of the believing heart to God. Those truly transformed by Jesus Christ find themselves lost in wonder and joy of communion with Him. Prayer is as natural for the Christian as breathing."

Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 3:12 which reads: "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." 

Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary:

This verse shows that Christians need not fear that patient inoffensive behaviour as is prescribed will invite and encourage the cruelty of their enemies, for God will thereby be engaged on their side: "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous." He takes special notice of them, exercises a providential constant government over them, and bears a special respect and affection to them. "His ears are open to their prayers;" so that if any injuries be offered to them they have this remedy, they may complain of it to their heavenly Father, whose ears are always attentive to the prayers of his servants in their distresses, and who will certainly aid them against their unrighteous enemies. "But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil;" his anger, and displeasure, and revenge, will pursue them; for he is more an enemy to wicked persecutors than men are. We observe here that God hath a special care and paternal affection towards all his righteous people and He doth always hear the prayers of the faithful. Though God is infinitely good, yet he abhors impenitent sinners, and will pour out his wrath upon those that do evil. He will do himself right, and do all the world justice; and his goodness is no obstruction to his doing so.

Our prayer motivator quote today is from an Jerry Bridges. He said: "Prayer assumes the sovereignty of God. If God is not sovereign, we have no assurance that He is able to answer our prayers. Our prayers would become nothing more than wishes. But while God’s sovereignty, along with his wisdom and love, is the foundation of our trust in Him, prayer is the expression of that trust."

Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 7 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice.

BIBLE PROOF TEXTS THAT A SINNER NEED NEVER PRAY THROUGH TO BE SAVED

There are two kinds of proof in the Bible that a sinner need never pray through in order to be saved.

First, the plain precepts showing the plan of salvation. Again the Scriptures make it clear that instant salvation is available to those who believe. Consider the following:

John 1:12 states, " But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:18 states, "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 3:36 states, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

John 5:24 states, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

John 6:40 states, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

John 6:47 states, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."

Acts 10:43 states, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."

Acts 13:39 states, "And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."

Acts 16:31 states, "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

No honest reader of these verses can say they involve a praying-through process in order to be saved. No, they teach instant faith in Christ. The instant one trusts in Christ, he already has everlasting life. 

+ Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees"

Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is Psalm 118:5 which reads: "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place." 

Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J.C. Ryle. He said, "Personal working for souls is good. Giving money is good. But praying is best of all. By prayer we reach Him without whom work and money are alike in vain. We obtain the aid of the Holy Spirit. Money can hire workers. Universities can give learning. Congregations may elect. Bishops may ordain. But the Holy Spirit alone can make ministers of the Gospel, and raise up lay workmen in the spiritual harvest, who need not be ashamed. Never, never may we forget that if we would do good to the world, our first duty is to pray!"