C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that prayer is essential for receiving God's mercy, illustrating that significant blessings are often preceded by earnest supplication. He reflects on personal experiences where prayer has led to peace, joy, and deliverance, asserting that prayer serves as a prelude to blessings and enhances their value. Spurgeon likens prayer to a shadow that accompanies the light of God's mercies, suggesting that without the act of asking, we might take blessings for granted. He concludes that the earnest pursuit of prayer makes the mercies we receive more precious and meaningful.