Pray Continually: Devotions From Time Of GraceEsimerkki

What a friend! Joseph Scriven was an Irishman with a life of bitter disappointments. Poor health cut short his career as a military officer; his fiancée drowned in a terrible accident the night before their wedding day; and after moving to Canada he suffered the sudden death of a second fiancée. His poem of faith and confidence in the power of prayer has encouraged many generations of Christians: "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!" As Jesus prepared his sad and frightened disciples for his coming death, resurrection, and ascension, he wanted them to live joyful and fearless lives. He promised them that he would be with them always, every day, and that he would personally guarantee that all their prayers were favorably received at the Father’s throne in heaven. “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24). Don’t hold back. Pray like crazy! Pray with complete and childlike confidence that everything you tell God is important and that through your Savior Jesus everything will be answered in the perfect way at the perfect time.