Pray for the New Year

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer and watch in it with thanksgiving,

[Devotional by Charles Spurgeon]

As I read this devotional this morning I was reminded as we start the second day of 2010, the importance of prayer. Charles Spurgeon takes us on a brief walk through the Word, by mentioning how so many of the men mentioned within knew the importance of talking with the Lord through prayer.

[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!]

In this last paragraph Charles Spurgeon tells it like it is. Just reading the words "Christless soul" brings a chill in my thought. Just thinking in this past year how many times I have prayed because of my need, or the needs of so many. Praise God those prayers were answered. One that will always be most prevalent on my heart was praying for a 1 year old baby boy who had tumors throughout his body. As church family and I prayed in one accord, we learned that every tumor was removed from his body. Prayer works! In this wonderful bible verse we understand why, Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was on Him; and with His stripes we ourselves are healed.


[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.”]

My friends let us start the New Year in prayer. Prayer for our country, our leaders of this great country, our neighbors for we are to love them as we love ourselves, for all non-believers that they can be brought to the cross, for our spiritual leaders that they may continue to hear the Word of the Lord and that our ears will be open to hear it. Also for all our friends and family that they may have a closer relationship with Jesus.

Then and Now

Many, many years ago,
back in the Garden of Eden,
Adam and Eve because of their sin
from God’s eyes they wanted to be hidden.

Though God called out to each of them
and knew exactly where they were,
Adam and Eve‘s sin seemed so much greater
than the relationship with God they wanted to share.

Though many days has passed since then
and in this world sin is still all around,
God is still calling out to you and me
and knows exactly where we are to be found.

Please listen to His Words of love
and ask Him to forgive you of your sin,
make sure to give thanks to Jesus, His Son,
a relationship we can have today, just because of Him!

E. P. Shagott
12/29/09


From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott