The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-12-09
THE USES OF PRAYER.

THE USES OF PRAYER.
It should he Time Of Thanks giving, and
= . Reminder Of Christ's Words and Our
Own DutiesToward God and Man.
Tho thirty-cighth and SEVENTEEN
Psalms are each entitled IA Psalm of
David to bring to remembrance.
Praise and prayer are largely dependent
upon that wonderful faculty we call the
memory. Prayer calls to mind the
goodness of the Lord. If we do not
cons der what VIC have. we are not fit
to ask for more. The old Westminster
catechism says that Prayer is the offer
ing up of our desires unto God, for
things agreeable to His will, in the
name of Christ, with confession of our
sins, and thankful acknowledgment of
all His mercies." Th ugh tbanksgiv-
ing is here mentioned last, it ought to
come first 1t is the natural way, if we
have received good gifts to make NEIL
ton of them. Indeed one would tn nix
it strange If. man who had received
favor of us should not offer thanks for
it first. before claiming further aid. The
mention of these benefits is often the
. highest exerc SO of mind and heart. 1t
puts tho soul in tune, and gives all
life new relish.
1t is another Office of prayer to remind
rs of the words of Christ. In prayer
the Comforter reveals t, our minds
many parts of Scripture. Indeed, prayer
Is largely made up of Scrip ure, and
should be. If we can not find suitable
words for ourselves, the Spirit finds
them for us. 1t would be hard work
praying If it were not in the language
Of the Bible. Not only have We the
Lords Prayer, but large portion of
the Bible Is made uD of prayers, whose
language helps us always. Jesus prom
ised his disc pies: '.The Holy Spirit shall
bring all things tn your rcmem rance,
whatsoever have said unto you,'' and
IN like manner He will give to us ac-
iOrding to our measure, the comforts OF
Gods word in prayer. Scripture will
be set on lire, SO to speak, and Divine
light vii shine upon it through PRAYER,
as If Christ Himself were speaking to
us.
Bnt prayer is also a time of remem-
bcrng our duties. Memory has for
ward reach in showing us what we
OuEuL tONUJ Xv1Cu1OEy ICC6tio UOLu IoCtS
and principles. Not only are Christ's
words brought back. but also Their up
plication. to everyday LIE. Memory
self explains this to us when He says:
'.If you bring thy gift to the altar. and
there remember that thy brother hath
aught against thee, leave there thy gift
before the altar. and 60 thy way; first
sl.J< o., Al
come and offer thy gift" Thus prayer
brings to remembrance the duties
owed to others, 1t is unreasonable to
come with words of devotion on our lips.
while sacred claims are neglected. To
look in the face OF our Lord and ask
His blessing, while we arc wilfully neg
lecting His commands, can not be
acceptable worship. Prayer is
most deeply enjoyed by the obcdient
soul. "Thou moetest him that rejocest
and worketh righteousness; those that
remember thee in thy ways" That
prayer is best from which mon rise 10
do the will OF God, 1t is not that which
is most ecstatic in its feelings, nor most
fluent, it is not the choice words nor the
brilliant images. Our Saviours prayers
were simple and submissive in their
tone. It's rather the prayer which,
remembering God. remembers duty
also, and points tho way forward. Thus
the true prayer is that Of him who saws
''Lold what wilt thou have mo to dog'
The Spirit of God is not bestowed on
men merely for their own case or per.
sonal Joy, but that they NAV do good to
others and become like Christ, the center
Of light and happiness.
"Heaven doth with us as We with torches do
Spirits are not timely touched
DiS So! o 20 sor.s Of as ,sSsrs ali ali alike '''
As II we had them not
The Office OF prayer is to remind us
OF what we have to do for God and
man. 1t cOnsecrates us to both. We
are consecrated to one another. and to
the welfare of men. We are consccrated
to common duty. We should get
strength in prayer, for patience and ac-
curacy in all those little duties that
make life blessing. Many man do
stroys the worth of great virtues by his
little follies. Prayer reminds us OF those
lesser dnties on which the greater often
hnng. Hence the importance of morn
ing prayer, because II sets moving all
the plans of effort great and small.
Morning prayer is the best memoran-
dunn, because it gives spiritual interest
10 all the days proceedings, that will
lead US in the best way. We can not
know beforehand what the day will
bring forth, but we are rut on the lo,k-
out for good, and will surely find it.
Our lips will be touched with grace Di-
vine. 10 speak word in season, and to
help Others. rs.-J0mcs g. Hoce, in Golden
Ruie.