Octavius Winslow on Prayer and Supplication

I read this in my daily reading of “Morning Thoughts”, by Octavius Winslow.

“Ah! we forget that when God stirs up the heart of a believer deeply to feel his need, and earnestly to desire any particular grace of the Spirit, that grace will be the distinguishing trait of his Christian character. The very possession and exercise of a grace strengthens the desire for its increase. The more we have of Christ, the more we desire of Christ. The heart is never satiated. Do we see a man earnest and importunate in prayer for faith? Faith will be his distinguishing grace. See we another wrestling with God for deep views of the evil of sin? That man will be marked for his humble walk with God. Is it love that He desires? His will be a loving spirit. Be sure of this-the more you know of the value and the sweetness of any single grace of the Spirit, the more ardently will your heart be led out after an increase of that grace. The reason why our desires for grace are so faint, may be traced to the small measure of grace that we already possess. The very feebleness of the desire proves the deficiency of the supply. As all holy desire springs from grace, so the deeper the grace, the more fervent will be the desire. The Lord rouse us from our slothful seeking of Him upon our beds.”

- Octavius Winslow