Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

It is very important for us to call upon God:

first, that our hearts may be fired with a zealous and burning desire ever to seek, love and serve Him, while we become accustomed in every need to flee to Him as to a sacred anchor;

secondly, that there may enter our hearts no desire and no wish at all of which we should be ashamed to make Him a witness, while we learn to set all our wishes before His eyes, and even to pour out our whole hearts;

thirdly, that we be prepared to receive His benefits with true gratitude of heart and thanksgiving, benefits that our prayer reminds us come from His hand;

fourthly, that having obtained what we were seeking, and being convinced that He has answered our prayers, we should be led to meditate upon His kindness more ardently;

and fifthly, that at the same time we embrace with greater delight those things which we acknowledge to have been obtained by prayer.

Finally, that use and experience may . . . confirm His providence, while we understand not only that He promises never to fail us . . . but also that He ever extends His hand to help His own.

John Calvin