The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-09-21
A DAILY DUTY.
What the Earnest Christians Evening
Prayer should BE


Prayer should he.
No Christian should allow n day to
pass without having quiet little talk
with the Master. Just as you go to
your mother, and. as the twilight falls, I
sitting by her knee, tell her all that has
occurred during the day, all your hopes,
Joys. fears, wants, disappointment
tell Him. just as lovingly and as in
tercstingly as she listens will He. o
even more so. A mothers love pales
beside His; and the love of our lleaven-
ly Father is SO much greater than the
protecting love of our earthly father.
He wants to hear all He wants you
to have that confidence in Him, and
that nearness to Him. He wants to be
right in your life, your all and all.
Though nothing is hidden from Him,
yet He loves to have You tell Him. He
does not want to stand without, almost
a stranger in your heart; there He
would take up His abode, making your
sorrows, joys and pleasures His. The
more YOU commune with Him the
nearer He will draw to you; but if you
allow the world, and your own self to
stand, an earth born cloud" to hide
Him from your sight, gradually you
will find yourself going farther away
from Him till at last He is not in
your thoughts at all. So, dear
Christians, you who desire to grow
daily in grace, determine that, no mat
ter how busy you are, you will every
day have this quiet little talk with your
Lord. Remember how He loves you,
then talk to Him about everything.
Tell Him about your friends and their
needs, just what you want for them.
In His own great needs the generous
soul never forgets the needs of others.
Tell Him upon whose heart you would
have Him plentifully pour His Spirit,
and whose wandering feet you would
guide into the paths of peace. Tell
Him, too, how you want to see
some of those loved ones who are
far away. Don't let it stop with
loved ones Tell him about some who
maybe care very little for you, that
| have injured you in some way, perhaps.
| Remember the desires of their hearts
when you are talking to the Lord.
Tell Him about your failings; how
you are so weak just where you so
want to be strong Tell Him how
earthly you are in all your wishes and
thoughts: how you want to be strong
and true and real, and how you find
yourself weak and false and trying ia
appear what you are not. He knows
your faults, only He wants you to tell
| Him about them, then He will send you
strength to conquer them. He will
make you all you want to be.
Tell Him all your plans, how ardent
ly you desire their success: tell Him the
disappointment it would be if they are
overthrown. Tell Him about your
health, your finance, your need OF
money, maybe, or of some influential
friend. Tell Him of the situation you
want the education you can not get
the home you desire, the love you crave
the companion you need. Tell Him
too, what you fear; tell Him if the
clouds seem to be gathering dark
ly, or if the sun is shining
| in a clear summer sky Tel
Him your temptations, every peculiar
little one, sure that His strength vii
be sufficient for you. Tell Him about
the work you want to do for Him, ant
what hinders you. Yes, tell Him every
thing, resting assured that He is as
near toyou as the very nearest, infinite
| ly nearer; and that this daily com
munion with Him will bring Him every
day more near to you, and you viii
grow more near to Him as you grow il
strength. christian at Work.