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Calvin introduced prayer by pointing out first that in ourselves we are “destitute of all good” and “devoid of every means of gaining our own salvation.” But he goes on, saying that in prayer ... “the Lord kindly and spontaneously manifests himself in Christ, in whom he offers all happiness for our misery, all abundance for our want, opening up the treasures of heaven to us, so that we may turn with full faith to his beloved Son, depend on him with full expectation, rest in him, and cleave to him with full hope.”
With another metaphor, Christ is called an “inexhaustible fountain” in whom all the fullness of God dwells whom we are compelled to seek in prayer, especially because God both invites and commands us to present our requests to him:
»»“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
»»“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15)
Calvin ridiculed the neglect of prayer, comparing it to being told where to find a fabulously rich buried treasure, yet foolishly allowing it to remain buried in the ground. In contrast, he said that real faith and relentless prayer fit together: “Call upon him in whom you have believed” (Romans 10:14). Such “calling” is thought of as the most profitable kind of “spiritual prospecting” imaginable because, as Calvin put it, “Prayer digs up those treasures which the Gospel of our Lord discovers to the eye of faith.”
Consider Jesus’ parable of the hidden treasure ...
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
At the outset of Prayer Week, look at the bounty that lies within our grasp! Calvin’s call is to get on our knees and dig up promised treasures, the treasures of …
Great God,
In public and private, in sanctuary and home,
May my life be steeped in prayer,
Filled with the spirit of grace and supplication,
Each prayer perfumed
with incense of atoning blood.
Help me, defend me,
until from praying ground
I pass to the realm of unceasing praise
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Dear Heavenly Father, Through my praying please may I find relief, peace, and my heart not to hurt anymore, nor my back with pulsing pain. God please bring my sons, my daughter, and myself and my husband to Jesus in a closer relationship than ever before this coming new year. May I pray more and find the Heaven's Promised Treasure with a joyful heart.
Thank you for this Christmas season of being with family and loving my family through meals I have prepared and my home open to them, may I please keep my home to be able to continue to do my gift of hospitality.
Guide me God, to love my husband in the way you want me to. Teach me to guide my adult children through memorizing verses, with prayer and with my actions. May they see you through me.
Give me strength to continue my day with my hurt foot, and sore muscles, I am so tired of being a limping lady.
I feel you there thank you, In Jesus Name Amen
