February 1

They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn. — Jer 31:9 BSB

Until God is pleased to pour out the spirit of grace and prayer upon us, we cannot worship Him properly. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and truth. Without this spirit, we cannot offer the kind of spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to Him through Jesus Christ. When this spirit is given and kindled in a believer’s heart, it never dies out. It’s like the fire on the bronze altar, first given by the Lord from heaven, with the command that it should never go out. Though the fire might burn low or be covered in ashes, it was never to go out for lack of fuel.

In the same way, it may seem at times like there’s barely any spirit of prayer left in you, and you may feel as if you’ve lost the grace of supplication. But you’ll find it rekindled in times of need. When you’re placed under special trials, and there’s no relief except in prayer, or when God in His mercy breathes upon your soul again, that holy fire, though it seemed buried under the ashes of sin, will revive. This spirit of prayer, given at your new birth, will never die out but will lead to everlasting praise.