The Lord Jesus took this very approach with God when He said, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me” (John 17:24). Joshua used it during the moment of his greatest victory, when he lifted his spear toward the setting sun and cried aloud, “Sun, stand still” (Joshua 10:12). Elijah employed it when he stopped the rain from heaven and started it again after three and a half years. Martin Luther followed it when, kneeling by his dying colleague, Philipp Melanchthon, he forbid death to take its victim.

This is a wonderful relationship that God invites us to enter. We are certainly familiar with passages of Scripture like the one that follows the above verse: “My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts” (Isaiah 45:12). But knowing that God invites us to command Him to act reveals a surprising change in our normal relationship!

What a distinction there is between this attitude and the hesitancy and uncertainty of our prayers of unbelief, to which we have become so accustomed! The constant repetition of our prayers has also caused them to lose their sharp cutting edge.

Think how often Jesus, during His earthly ministry, put others in a position to command Him. “As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho,” Jesus stopped and responded to two blind men who had called out to Him. “What do you want me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:29, 32). It was as though He said, “I am yours to command.”

Could we ever forget how Jesus yielded the key to His resources to the Greek woman from Syrian Phoenicia because of her reply to Him? In effect, He told her to help herself to all that she needed. (Mark 7:24–30.)

What human mind can fully realize the total significance of the lofty position to which God lovingly raises His little children? He seems to be saying, “All my resources are at your command.” “And I will do whatever you ask in my name” (John 14:13). F. B. MEYER

Say to this mountain, “Go, Be cast into the sea”; And doubt not in your heart That it will be to thee. It will be done, doubt not His Word, Challenge your mountain in the Lord!

Claim your redemption right, Purchased by precious blood; The Trinity unite To make it true and good. It will be done, obey the Word, Challenge your mountain in the Lord!

Self, sickness, sorrow, sin, The Lord did meet that day On His beloved One, And you are freed away. It has been done, rest on His Word, Challenge your mountain in the Lord!

Surround the rival’s wall With silent prayer, then raise— Before its ramparts fall— The victor’s shout of praise. It will be done, faith rests assured, Challenge your mountain in the Lord!

The massive gates of brass, The bars of iron yield, To let the faithful pass, Conquerors in every field. It will be done, the foe ignored, Challenge your mountain in the Lord!

Take then the faith of God, Free from the taint of doubt; The miracle-working rod That casts all reasoning out. It will be done, stand on the Word, Challenge your mountain in the Lord!

There are many healthy aspects to Jacob’s prayer. In some respects it could serve as a mold into which we pour our own spirits while we are being melted in the fiery furnace of sorrow.

Jacob began by quoting God’s promise twice and by saying, “Who said to me” and “You have said” (v. 12). See how he has God in his grasp! God places Himself within our reach through His promises, and when we can actually say to Him, “You have said,” He cannot say no. God must do as He has said.

If Jacob was so careful over his words, what great care will God take over His promises? Therefore while in prayer be sure to stand firmly on a promise of God. By doing so, you will obtain enough power to throw open the gates of heaven and to take it by force.

PRACTICAL PORTIONS FOR THE PRAYER-LIFE Jesus desires that we would be very specific in our requests, asking for something definite. “What do you want me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:32) is the question He asks everyone who comes to Him during trials and affliction. Make your requests earnestly and specifically, if you desire definite answers. It is the aimlessness of prayer that accounts for so many seemingly unanswered prayers. Be specific in your petitions. Fill out your check for something definite, and it will be cashed at the bank of heaven when it is presented in Jesus’ name. Dare to be specific with God.

SELECTED Frances Ridley Havergal once said, “Every year I live—in fact, nearly every day—I seem to see more clearly how all the peace, happiness, and power of the Christian life hinges on one thing. That one thing is taking God at His word, believing He really means exactly what He says, and accepting the very words that reveal His goodness and grace, without substituting other words or changing the precise moods and tenses He has seen fit to use.” Take Christ’s Word—His promise—and Christ’s sacrifice—His blood—with you to the throne of grace through prayer, and not one of heaven’s blessings can be denied you. ADAM CLARKE

Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.—Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.—What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

If ye . . . 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?—I will put my Spirit within you. Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of.

This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.