Praying in Spite of Yourself
Prayer is a noble and necessary work that should be done as a duty, even if we don't feel like it.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of persevering in prayer, regardless of our feelings or lack of spiritual uplift. She encourages believers to view prayer as a noble and necessary work, not to be abandoned due to emotional dryness, and assures that the Holy Spirit will eventually renew and refresh our prayers. George Hodges echoes this sentiment, urging individuals to continue in prayer even when feeling indifferent, as the act of presenting oneself before God and engaging in prayerful actions can lead to a deeper connection with the divine presence.
Text
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it.
--MALACHI 1:13
My soul cleaveth unto the dust; quicken Thou me according to Thy word.
--PSALMS 119:25
Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
--EPHESIANS 5:14
THERE are some who give up their prayers because they have so little feeling in their prayers--so little warmth of feeling. But who told us that feeling was to be a test of prayer? The work of prayer is a far too noble and necessary work to be laid aside for any lack of feeling. Press on, you who are dry and cold in your prayers, press on as a work and as a duty, and the Holy Spirit will, in His good time, refresh your prayers Himself.
--ARTHUR F. WINNINGTON INGRAM
You do not feel in the spirit of prayer; you have no spiritual uplift; you are simply indifferent. Give that unhappy mood no heed. You know very well what you ought to do. You ought to present yourself before God; you ought to say your prayers. Do that, and the devout attitude, the bended knees, the folded hands, the quiet and the silence, the lips busied with holy words, will induce the consciousness of the divine presence, and help you to pray in spirit and in truth.
--GEORGE HODGES
Sermon Outline
- Prayer is a duty
- Prayer is a work
- Prayer induces divine presence
- Bended knees and folded hands
- Quiet and silence
Key Quotes
“Press on, you who are dry and cold in your prayers, press on as a work and as a duty, and the Holy Spirit will, in His good time, refresh your prayers Himself.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“You do not feel in the spirit of prayer; you have no spiritual uplift; you are simply indifferent. Give that unhappy mood no heed.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“The work of prayer is a far too noble and necessary work to be laid aside for any lack of feeling.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Prayer is a work that should be done as a duty, not just a feeling.
- Present yourself before God and say your prayers, even if you don't feel like it.
- The devout attitude and holy words will help you to pray in spirit and in truth.