Praying in the Holy Spirit, Ten Papers on Prayers by Harry A Ironside and published by Classics.
In this booklet, the author seeks to meditate on prayer and try to learn a few things about it from the Word of God.
The Word of God is the foundation on which we build. Prayer keeps the soul in touch with the power by which alone we build aright.
Mere Bible knowledge may make one heady and doctrinal. Prayer alone, if unguided by Scripture, tends toward fanaticism; but the Word and prayer together give a good, firm base on which to develop a sturdy Christian character.
Prayer is almost universal in mankind. “O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come” (Ps. 65:2). Unsaved men pray. All nations pray. It is the sense of need, of weakness, that leads men to cry out for help to a Higher Power; and it is wrong to say, as some have said, that the prayers of unconverted people are never heard. The man whom our Lord healed of his blindness said, “Now we know that God does not hear sinners” (Jn. 9:31).
This is true, in the sense that he meant it. But the cases of Hagar in the wilderness, the heathen mariners mentioned in Jonah, and other similar instances must not be overlooked. Both Scripture and history testify to prayers answered in wondrous grace, even when those who prayed were ignorant of the One to whom their entreaties were directed.
