When I Stop Praying (Poem)

 

When I Stop Praying

When I stop praying - my whole life falls apart,
No joy thrills my soul, no peace fills my heart,
My compassion soon dies and my desires are not met,
The future seems uncertain, and there's no end of debt.

When I stop praying - it is obvious, the Lord I have not sought,
I have not seen Him work in my life and heart as I ought,
The things that I loathe about myself are still there,
And the plans that I am making are castles built on the air.

When I stop praying - I have let reign fear and doubt,
I have taken the reins of my life and left the Master out;
To other Christians and the world, I have let it be known
That I am prideful and think I can do it all on my own.

When I stop praying - it's obvious to the Lord that I fell
From my own steadfastness while others are on their way to Hell,
I am not standing in the gap, nor caring for the lost,
I am not plucking brands from the fire, nor counting the cost.

When I start praying again - the reverse is quite true,
I have moved my eyes off of myself and put them back upon You,
Claiming God's promises, seeing hearts and lives truly changed,
With a burden for souls, my priorities are rearranged.

When I start praying - answered prayers are only part of the story,
Now my mind is transformed, and I am living for God's glory,
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the word on my lips,
And my soul is grieved when I let an opportunity slip.

When I start praying - Jesus is precious to my soul,
My heart is no longer broken, but perfectly whole,
Fellowship with my Lord is wonderfully sweet
As my life is filled with victory instead of defeat.

When I start praying - there are riches that are waiting to be found,
Joy fills my heart, and the peace of God does abound,
The Word of God opens up like a bounteous treasure chest;
As the burdens are lifted, I am secure in my haven of rest.

December 24th, 2003
Jerry Bouey

Prayer moves the arm that moves the world.
Charles Spurgeon

Fervency is the fire on the altar of your heart
that burns the incense of prayer
and sends the sweet-smelling savour up to God.
Jerry Bouey

I was not looking at the little in hand, but at the fullness of God.
George Mueller, when his needs were great and the supply small

I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all;
but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.
Martin Luther

Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.
William Carey

All God’s giants have been weak men, who did great things for God
because they reckoned on His being with them.
Hudson Taylor

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Mark 11:22-24 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Jude 22-23 And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: