Michael E. Wood
September 1, 2015
praying at all
times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep
alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Ephesians 6:18
“As God does nothing but aims at His own glory thereby,
Proverbs 16:4; so no act of God towards His people, wherein He intends not
their good, and as such becomes the subject of their thanksgiving. Hence we are bid ‘in everything give thanks’.
O what a copious theme hath God given His people to enlarge their meditations
upon – ‘in everything!’ The whole course and series of divine providence
towards the saints is like a music-book, in every leaf whereof there is a song
ready pricked for them to learn and sing to the praise of God.”
“It is not a library makes a scholar, but wisdom to observe
and gather the choice notions out of his books. None want (lack) mercies to bless God for. Divine providence is a large
volume, written thick and close with mercies from one end of our life to the
other; but few, alas have a heart to read in it, and fewer have wisdom to
collect the choice passages of it for such a holy purpose as this.” William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete
Armour, Volume 2, p 449, 463
Praise is an essential part of ‘all prayer’ for the child of
God. As we learn from Him through His Word to see various nuances of His
kindness toward us in every kind of providence, we are thereby strengthened by
His Spirit to give thanks in everything and more readily render Him the praise
He is due.
O God, You are worthy of praise,
For the least of the mercies You show us!
How great is the sum of them all,
All life You unfold as a chorus;
With measures which fit us each day
Promoting Your praise all the way.
O God, You are worthy of praise,
For the least of the mercies You show us!