DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Our Father, we earnestly implore you to have mercy on the unconverted we know. We have always prayed for them, but now we pray with even greater intensity. Hear the multitude of supplications that have been lifted up for those who are almost persuaded to be Christians but have not fully committed. Do not let them linger any longer in that perilous place on the edge of faith, knowing but not obeying, hearing but not receiving the gospel.
May the Lord draw sinners to himself. Whether it is in London, or anywhere else in the world, whether it is through pastors, evangelists, or private members, as the gospel is proclaimed, may it be accompanied by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. May multitudes and hundreds of thousands turn to Christ, until the whole earth is filled with your glory. Lord, bring revival to my city. We thank you that you have not cast it aside. But for those who may be considered outcasts, gather them together and bring them to the feet of Jesus. Save the people, O Lord, and raise up a nation that will fear your name.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you,’” (John 17:1)
The great design of Christ, all through his life on earth, was to glorify the Father. He came to save his people; but that was not his first or his chief aim. It was his object, through the salvation of myriads of the sons of men, to glorify the Father.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Are you really saved? (You CAN know for sure)
Today we prayed for those who don’t know God’s grace in Christ. Some of these people are “looking to themselves instead of to Christ,” which makes it extremely difficult to share the gospel with them.
Here’s a resource to help you examine yourself: Am I Really a Christian? by Mike McKinley.
This book is a short Bible study on seven ways that the New Testament describes all Christians. If these things are true of you, then praise God, you can have assurance that you are born again. If these things are not true of you, then come to the cross in faith and find life in Jesus’ resurrection.
This book is a great resource for any Christian struggling with assurance. It is also a great book to read with a non-believer who claims to be a Christian — buy two and read it with a nominal Christian you know this year.
I hope you’ll take seriously the call to examine yourself, and I know that this book will be a helpful tool in the process.