"IF I REGARD INIQUITY IN MY HEART, THE LORD WILL NOT HEAR ME." Not everyone's prayer is acceptable with God. Saul, the Pharisee, had long used the form of prayer, but not until now had he really prayed. Created anew in Christ Jesus, he received spiritual life, came under divine instruction, and feeling his need of salvation, he prayed. None really pray but those who are born again; all truly quickened souls pour out their hearts before God. They feel that they must pray or perish. They must pray or sink under their weight of sin. The heart is too full to hold, it must have relief; the desires are too strong to be suppressed. Words may be wanting, but prayer will ascend; for prayer is rather the language of heart than lip. Reader, there was a time when you did not pray. You were then dead in trespasses and sins. Then there was a time when you began to pray, when you were quickened by the Holy Spirit. You cannot live without prayer now, though you may feel down and despondent; but in your desperation you have cried to God. This is the evidence that you are alive unto God. God receives the prayers of His people, and calls them to the pleasing fact: "Behold, even Saul the persecutor prays!" God always attends to praying souls, therefore continue in prayer.

For Meditation:
O Thou by whom we come to God,
The life, the truth, the way,
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray.