Upon this point the Bible is very plain. Jesus says, "If ye then, being evil, know how to
Chapter I. The Importance of Prayer
and the peace of God which passeth all understanding guards his heart and his thoughts in Christ Jesus.
We all know such persons. How do they manage it? Just by prayer, that is all. Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer.
Some of us let the hurry of our lives crowd prayer out, and what a waste of time and energy and nerve force there is by the constant worry! One night of prayer will save us from many nights of insomnia. Time spent in prayer is not wasted, but time invested at big interest.
9. The ninth reason for constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer is that PRAYER IS THE METHOD THAT GOD HIMSELF HAS APPOINTED FOR OUR OBTAINING THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Upon this point the Bible is very plain. Jesus says, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:13.) Men are telling us in these days, very good men too, "You must not pray for the Holy Spirit," but what are they going to do with the plain statement of Jesus Christ, "How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit TO THEM THAT ASK HIM?"
Some years ago when an address on the baptism with the Holy Spirit was announced, a brother came to me before the address and said with much feeling,
"Be sure and tell them not to pray for the Holy Spirit." "I will surely not tell them that, for Jesus says, 'How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him'."
"Oh, yes," he replied, "but that was before Pentecost." "How about Acts 4:31? was that before Pentecost, or after?"
9 "After, of course." "Read it." "'And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.'"
"How about Acts 8:15? was that before Pentecost or after?" "After." "Please read." "'Who, when they were come down PRAYED for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.'"
He made no answer. What could he answer? It is plain as day in the Word of God that before Pentecost and after, the first baptism and the subsequent fillings with the Holy Spirit were received in answer to definite prayer. Experience also teaches this.