"Calvin describes prayer as "the chief exercise of faith by which we daily receive God's benefits." Then he offers this compelling picture: "We dig up by prayer the treasures that were pointed out by the Lord's gospel, and which our faith has gazed upon." Imagine walking over a field where vast treasure lies buried. To make these riches your own, you need two things: a map and a spade. Scripture is your map and prayer is your spade....
"Prayer is more than a duty to be fulfilled; it is a gift to be enjoyed. There is a world of difference between 'having your quiet time' as a spiritual discipline and drawing near to God to possess what He promises you in Christ.
Since prayer is "the chief exercise of faith by which we daily receive God's benefits," it follows that the primary gifts you will receive go far beyond 'answers' to items or needs on your prayer list. Prayer is the means by which you lay hold of all that God has promised in your own life and in the lives of others for whom you pray." - Colin S. Smith from Jonah (Navigating a God Centered Life)
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