Reuben Archer Torrey (1856 – 1928) was an American evangelist and pastor. In 1915 he founded the Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles (later pastored by J. Vernon McGee). Torrey was the most famous editor of the 12-volume series, "The Fundamentals," a defense of Christianity against modernism. We'll be sharing some excerpts from his book, "How to Pray."
2. A second reason for this constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer is that PRAYER IS GOD’S APPOINTED WAY FOR OBTAINING THINGS, AND THE GREAT SECRET OF ALL LACK IN OUR EXPERIENCE, IN OUR LIFE AND IN OUR WORK IS NEGLECT OF PRAYER.
James brings this out very forcibly in the 4th chapter and 2nd verse of his epistle: “Ye have not because ye ask not.” These words contain the secret of the poverty and powerlessness of the average Christian—neglect of prayer.
“Why is it,” many a Christian is asking, “I make so little progress in my Christian life?”
“Neglect of prayer,” God answers. “You have not because you ask not.”
“Why is it,” many a minister is asking, “I see so little fruit from my labors?”
Again God answers, “Neglect of prayer. You have not because you ask not.”
“Why is it,” many a Sunday-School teacher is asking, “that I see so few converted in my Sunday-School class?”
Still God answers, “Neglect of prayer. You have not because you ask not.”
“Why is it,” both ministers and churches are asking, “that the church of Christ makes so little headway against unbelief and error and sin and worldliness?”
Once more we hear God answering, “Neglect of prayer. You have not because you ask not.”
