Reader,

There are many excuses made about religion. But there are no excuses so poor and feeble as those which people make for NOT PRAYING. Beware of these excuses.

Do not say you DO NOT KNOW HOW TO PRAY. Prayer is the simplest act in all religion. It is simply speaking to God. It needs neither learning nor wisdom, nor book knowledge to begin it. It needs nothing but heart and will. The weakest infant can cry when he is hungry. The poorest beggar can hold out his hand for an alms, and does not wait to find words. The most ignorant man will find something to say to God, if only he has a will.

Do not say you have NO CONVENIENT PLACE TO PRAY IN. Any man can find a place private enough if he is disposed. Our Lord prayed on a mountain; Peter on the rooftop; Isaac in the field; Nathanael under the fig tree; Jonah in the whale’s belly. Any place may become a closet, an oratory and a Bethel, and be to us the presence of God.

Do not say YOU HAVE NO TIME. There is plenty of time if men will employ it. Time may be short, but time is always long enough for prayer. Daniel had all the affairs of a kingdom on his hands, and yet he prayed three times a day. David was the ruler over a mighty nation, and yet he says; “Evening and morning and at noon will I pray” (Psalm 55 verse 17). WHEN TIME IS REALLY WANTED, TIME CAN ALWAYS BE FOUND

Reader, salvation is very near you. Do not lose heaven for want of asking. Go this day, and TAKE THE FIRST STEP. Pour out your heart before God. Tell Him that you are a poor, unworthy sinner,
and that you want to be saved. Tell Him that you have heard that He will hear all who ask in Christ’s Name, and that in Christ’s Name you ask to be saved. BUT do not put it off.

BEWARE OF EXCUSES

Extract from The Wicket Gate Magazine, published in the UK, used with permission.