A great mistake made by many Christians regarding prayer is that they bring to God only that which they consider important. This is really unbelief and self-confidence, and a forgetting of that word:"Without Me ye can do nothing." If we do not bring to God our little concerns, we attempt to bear them alone, only to prove our utter helplessness.

Then too, we too often make the distinction between temporal and spiritual affairs, thinking the latter are proper subjects for prayer, not the former. If we do not bring our temporal affairs into God’s presence, we fail to get His mind on them, and too often in this way let self-will have its way. For the root of all prayer is, "Thy will be done." If it is not God’s will, it could only be for our injury to have our prayers answered.

Are all our prayers answered? Yes, in God’s way. The most perfect and earnest prayer_that in Gethsemane_was answered, but "the cup" was not removed. Paul thrice prayed that the thorn in the flesh might be removed, and had an answer which left the thorn, but along with it a word which sweetened the trial:"My grace is sufficient for thee" (2 Cor. 12:9).

Do we watch for answers to prayer? Elijah did, and was not disappointed. How necessary this is_asking, and then waiting, and looking for the answer. This honors God. Nor must we forget another most important part of prayer_"with thanksgiving" (Phil. 4:6). Do we take our mercies without a word of thanks? How this must grieve our God! How selfish!

Lastly, for what are we praying most? Is it for greater practical likeness to Christ, fuller knowledge of self and of Him, a deeper insight into His Word? These, surely, are the great subjects which should engage much of our time in prayer both for ourselves and others.