Election was never intended to prevent men making a diligent use of all means of grace. On the contrary, the neglect of means is a most suspicious symptom, and should make us very doubtful about the state of a man’s soul. Those whom the Holy Ghost draws He always draws to the written Word of God and to prayer. When there is the real grace of God in a heart, there will always be love to the means of grace.

What saith the Scripture?

The very Christians at Rome to whom St. Paul wrote about foreknowledge and predestination, are the same to whom he says, “Continue instant in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12.)

The very Ephesians who were “chosen before the foundation of the world,” are the same to whom it is said, “Put on the whole armour of God—take the sword of the Spirit—pray always with all prayer.” (Ephes. 6:18.)

The very Thessalonians whose Election Paul said he “knew,” are the Christians to whom he cries in the same Epistle, “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17.)

The very Christians whom Peter calls “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,” are the same to whom he says, “Desire the sincere milk of the Word—watch unto prayer.” (1 Pet. 2:2; 4:7.)

The evidence of texts like these is simply unanswerable and overwhelming.

J.C. Ryle, Old Paths, p470