Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-19
Lesson s.
PARALLELS ON PRAYER.

Central Truth True prayer - sure TO
receive abundant answers.
Soon after the time referred to in the
last three lessons, the Saviour visited
Bethany and raised Lazarus, the broth
er of Mary and Martha, from the dead.
Thence, to escape the hostile rulers, he
retired to Ephraim, northeast from Beth
el. lie was now on his Journey from
Ephraim toward Jerusalem. 1t was on
this Journey that he met and healed the
ten lepers. Again, certain Pharsees
demanded of him when the kingdom
of God should come, and TO them he
made a suitable reply.
Turning from the captious Pharlsees'
our Saviour addressed his disciples on
the topic thus suggested. lie toretold
the trials his people must first expect
to pass through. Apparently TO impress
upon them the importance OF prayer as
preparation for such trials and support
under them, he added the parable OF the
Unjust Judge and lmportunate Widow.
That OF the Pharisee and the Publican
may have Immediately followed
OF these two parallels, the first es-
pecially impresses the duty and privi.
lege of persistency in prayer. Its simple
yet conclusive argument is that, if the
persevering petition OF the poor widow
secured redress from heartless and
unjust Judge, much more will the per.
sistent supplcation of his 'elect" pre-.
vail with the wise, Just and mercitul
God. lie may have reasons for present
delay, and yet he will and does "hear
his chosen when they cry"
1t is well at this point to note the
tnnIanny ~ ,,,nfnrY laltaf n 1t4tar.
age petition as addressed to God to
deny that he actually hears and an.
swers; to reduce the benefits of prayer
to its reflex influence. Our Saviour no.
where denies the value of such reflex
influence. 1t is noteworthy, however,
that he never puts that forward. He
is always inviting US TO ask, that we
may receive. 1t is the eager cry of felt
want, which is commended and en-
couraged in the story Of the Emporium
ate widow.
Just why answers are so often delay
ed, and importantly required, the par
able does not tell Us. Some reasons are
obvious as that faith may be tested,
earnestness called forth, the heart bet
ter prepared to receive. There may be
hint of yet another reason IN the ex.
preston, "though he bear long Plain.
ly this forbearance has respect to Gods
suffering people nevertheless, it is to-
ward others-the oppressors, the wrong
doers. God delays to yiudicate his peo
pie in many cases. no doubt, to give
the longer day of grace to his and their
enemies. That God may be iorbearing
toward unselievers, his faithful ones
must be patient, This puts great
strain upon faith. To maintain 1t to
the end will not be easy. Hence the
question "When the Son of Man com.
eth, will he find faith on the earth p
The great lesson of the second parable
is equally important. Persistent prayer
is n duty and privilege; sure at length
to prevail. But very much that is call.
ed prayer lacks the true spirit. 1t Is
unanswered for the reason that, in
Gods view, it is unreal.
The defect in the Pharisee's prayer
was not that he stood; for the publican
also stood 1t was not that he gave
thanks ;sfor we are commanded with
thanksgiving TO make known our re-
quests unto God" Nor was 1t that he
recognized the baseness OF the sins he
enumerated, and accounted it a matter
of rejoicing that he had been kept from
gross outward offences. The trouble
was that he judged himself by other
than divine standards. Being ignorant
of Gods righteousness and of his own
heart, he was full OF offensive pride. In
the sense Of asking for pardon, purity
and a right heart, he did not pray at all.
The basis of the publican prayer was
deep, peTvading sense OF sin. With
not thought of any merit OF his own,
he looked to the mere compassion OF
God. He saw no light save in that.
lie could only cry for mercy. And that
cry pointed to atonement by sacrifice (;
an .atonement familiar to him in its
types. and soon to be made conspicuous
on Calyary's cross.
Thus, this parable is not only wonder
fully graphic, but iull of instructive
meaning. 1t discloses the spirit of all
true, acceptable prayer IL affords to
us, in the publican's simple, all-embrac.
ing cry, our Sayiour's view Of the ap-
proacb to God appropriate to sinner !;
and sure, when uttered from the heart
to command the mercy which iustilies
and saves.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
|. There is much of present com
fort without prayer. II is Gods delight
to bless. BY his goodness he would
lead men to repentance. Nevertheless
it is Gods will that we should persist
emily pray. For true and lasting good,
we must ask If we would receive.
2. The widows plea was just Ours
must be just, and supported by some
divine warrant. God has taken great
pains to make known his will; to be
cure OF answers we must ask for things
agreeable to thatwill.
3. A noteworthy characteristic of the
genuine believer, is that he always prays
and never faints.
4. Faith which still trusts though
answers are long delayed, is difficult oI
attainment. Under such strain the
Psalmist's feet well nigh slipped. II Is,