Telegram-herald., 1886-09-24
THE EVENING SERVICE.
The Obstacles which Prevent Our Prayers
From Being Answered.


Text Matt. II, g. ASK and il shall be
given you; seek, and We shall find; knock,
and il shall be opened unto You; for every
one that asketh receiveth. and be that
asketh tindeth, aud TO him that knOcKeth il
shall be opened"
The theme of the discourse, which was
delivered by Elder Farnsworth was the
obstacles that prevent our prayers from
being answered. We may laud education,
but that can never take the place of
the blessing of God, and yet there is no
reason why the wisest man may not enjoy
the largest measure of God ) blessing. God
has ordained that we shall receive by ask
ing, and when we ask, we show that we
are in need of what we ask. When we
realize the power of prayer We should be
induced 10 get nearer TO God.
James tells Us that IF any man lack wis
dom let him ask of God who giveth TO all
men literally, and upbraideth not We
are 10 understand that God is willing to
help those who make an effort for them
selves The condition Of our receiving what
we ask for is that we ask in faith. The
man who lacks faith is unstable in all his
ways. Faith, which is simply trust in God,
is an element that helps Us in the dark.
Faith looks up in times of discOuragement
and says God lives.
Gods promises all rest upon conditions,
and IN order for mans prayers TO be ans
wered he must meet these cOnditions-he
must obey God. Job SAYS. He that
turneth away his ear from the law.
even his prayer shall be - an
abominatiOnN This is a condition that
some people fail to recognize. 1t will not
do for Us TO think that We can obtain an
swers to our prayers by a process Of sacri-
ticing, for God has told US that under GER
tain circumstances our sacrifices may be an
ab0mination to him. Obedience must ac-
company every prayer in order that the
same may be answered. If we are tramp
ling any of Gods commandments or in
structions under our feet, We must repent
aud turn from our evil ways before we can
hope 10 have our prayers answered.
Unfulitilled VOWS is another obstacle 20
the answering OF our prayers. We make
great many promises TO God. when we
are in trouble and at other times, that are
! afterwards forgotten, and left unpaid, and
the result is our prayers are not answered.
Vow aHd pay your vows unto God is the
| direct command found in the Psalms.
When we attempt 10 pray. and recall a vow
that is unpaid. ouT faith Is at once des-
| troyed. A failure to pay our VOWS brings
| leanness 10 our souls
Secret sins are another hindrance to the
answering of prayers. David said. IF re
gard iniquitv in my heart, the Lord will not
! hear my PRAYER Hypocrisy is a grievous
/ sin. sensibility Of secret SINS, Is destruc-
tive Of faith. In this connection. even our
thoughts are taken into consideration. Our
PRAYER should be, Cleanse thou me from
| secret sins
Matt. VI. 3. says. Forgive us our debts
/ as we forgive our debtors
Thus If we hsrhor an Iil-ieeiiBg against
any Of our brethren. that is an obstacle in
the way Of our prayers being answered. And
we are told that II We bring or Offering TO
the altar. and then remember that our
! brother has aught against Us. We must 20
| first and be reconCiiei 10 our brother Have
We ever been guilty Of causing brother or
sister grief sorrow or trial and We are sensi-
| ible thst that person feels aEgrievea with
Us. We have no right - expect an answer -
our prayers We bave DO right 10 speak 70
each other IN an unkind manner. and then
expect God 10 answer our prayers Re
member 20 Is oar place to % 70 our brother
OF sister whom re susl,eci is aggrieved with
us, and first b. rec0nCile3 80 them.
| Another difficulty is 1e sre not imp0r-
| taut enough We should be ferveni and ear
! nest IN orr PRAYERS God has Taught ne hv
! many examples thar imporfuniiv j. avail
| ing vith Him.and ve have = right 70 prac-
| fioe g.
II fs ~ frequently draFiug near - God il
! fHIift--H ttltt t-tf-iH tItat ~ may w
/ come familiar wifh HIS Vili concerning as
! and be ene5iei ~ exemplfY thsi wiz 50
/ our daily hees. We sboald hunger fa1 IRE
/ blessing af Go3. The promise = - fhost
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