Diamonds in heaven!

Dear Children,

We have children who are in dire need at this time. When I pray for them I include children of pastors and friends of mine who have special needs. I have prayed for some of these for so long that sometimes I wonder if the Lord hears my prayers? This devotional was a blessed encouragement to me to keep crying out to the One who puts all my “tears in His bottle” implying, as here stated, “that they are caught as they flow.” I trust it will be an encouragement to you also.

The diamonds of heaven!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Behold--he prays!" Acts 9:11
Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray--the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed, but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee--but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears. Yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. "You put all my tears into Your bottle," implies that they are caught--as they flow!

The suppliant, who can only groan out his words, will be well understood by the Most High God. He may only look up with misty eye; but prayer is the falling of a tear! Tears are the diamonds of heaven! Sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah's court, and are numbered with the most sublime strains which reach the majesty on high!

Do not think that your prayer, however weak or trembling--will be unregarded. Our God not only hears prayer--but also loves to hear it. "He does not forget the cry of the humble." True, He does not regard proud looks and lofty words. He has no concern for the pomp and pageantry of kings. He does not listen not to the swell of martial music. He has no regard the triumph and pride of man. But wherever there is . . .
 a heart full with godly sorrow,
 or a lip quivering with agony,
 or a deep groan, 
 or a penitential sigh
--the heart of Jehovah is open! He marks that prayer down in the registry of His memory! He puts our prayers, like rose leaves--between the pages of His book of remembrance; and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom!

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers” Philemon 4

Love, Dad

Ps. 142:1 "I cried unto the Lord with my voice..."

Dear Children,

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading, studying, and meditating on Psalm 142 this past week and would like to share some thoughts with you. A lady testified in our Sunday service recently that she has trouble with wandering thoughts and imaginations while praying. I have found that when I pray out loud like David in verse one of Psalm 142, where we find the words “cry” and “voice” each used twice, it has helped me in the problem mentioned above. I’m not advocating that there are not other ways to pray. I believe, as C.H. Spurgeon says, “There is a voice to the great Father in every cry, groan, and tear of His children: He can understand what they mean when they are quite unable to express it.” But I write from my own experience that when I pray aloud it is easier for me to keep my mind from wandering.

I know this may be difficult for many of you who are unable to find a place where you are out of earshot of husband, wife, children, or others. After living for the last three years in a fifth wheel trailer and a small, unfinished basement, I can readily sympathize. After several years of working in a steel mill and shooting on firing ranges in the military without ear protection (we didn’t have that back in the 50’s, believe it or not) plus hunting for 23 years in Alaska, I have found your mother can pray as loud as she likes and it doesn’t bother me! Funny how of late everybody mumbles when they talk. However, your mother’s hearing has really sharpened with age. I have found it best not to even mumble unless I’m 100 yards away--that is, if I don’t want her to hear.

When I arrived at BJU, we students were told there was a prayer room on each hall. I tried it only once! A dozen students were in the same room praying, many of them audibly. I soon found my car was a welcome refuge for prayer.

Prayer may be the most difficult of all graces. Those wandering thoughts don’t just “happen” to come at that time. There will be times when you will almost “feel” the opposition when you try to pray. Don’t give up!

“I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers.” Dad