The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-30
PRAYER.

"He will not hear those who nave not
steadfast belief in His promises" He de-
serves our confidence, and He requires 1t.
"Nor will lie hear those who come unto
His presence full of worldly feelings" We
must love God supremely. and allow neither
our houses, our stores, our ships, our stocks,
our money, our goods. TO occupy the
thoughts that should be given to Him.
"He will not hearken to those who ask the
things they do not sincerely desire" Some
20 through q round of petitions without
feeling need of the things they ask, or
without any strong desire to obtain them.
"He will not listen to those who ask with
perfect selfshness, and without any regard
to His glory" Our prayers must be disin-
terested. We must not implorc for things
to pamper appetites, promote our own ease
and indulgence. or the worldly prosperity or
our families. We must not petition for OBJ
iects that will not increase our spirituality,
Christian activity and carefulness. We must
have supreme regard for the glory of God
In all we ask Of Him.
"He cannot consistently hear US when we
cry to Him for things he has revealed he
cannot consistently with his glory grant" 1t
is m insult to God to ask him for what he
has told us he cannot and ought not to give.
Such prayers are an abomtnation IN the
sight Of benevolent God.
"He will not regard the prayers Of those
who suppcate for things without using the
means necessary for their attainment" God
helps those who help themselves. He con-
fers blessings through human instrumen,
tslity. We must do our part, or God will
withhold his aid.
ait is inconsistent for God to hear the
prayers of those who pray without relying
on the blood and righteousness OF Christ"
promise can be accounted for by eur own
| failure In one or more of these:
ID "Whatsoever We shall ask in my
name, that will do" Really, not verb
ally only, in the name OF Jesus; asking not
| in our own name at all; signing our petit
ton, as it were.with his name only, coming
to the Father by our Advocate, our Repre-
| sentative. 10 we always ask this?
(2) "Believing that ve shall receive" The
faith-heroes Of old Through faith
obtained promises" and there is nonew way
of obtaining them. Is it any wonder that,
when we stagger sG any promise of God
through unbelief, we do not receive it?
All the blessings conferred Oh us are the
purchase of the atouing Saviour. We must
| plead his righteousness and the great atone
ment He has made. "Behold. D God, our
shield, aid look upon the face Of thine
annointed'
| THE CONDITIONS OF EFFECTCAL PRAYER.
s'And all things, whatsoever We believe"
etc. Have we not sometimes been tempted
| to think that here, Mt least, is case in which
our Lord has not literally and always kept
| his word? in which we do not get quite so
much az the plain English of the promise
might lead us to expect? II so, well may he
say to US, "Do ye not therefore err, because
We know not the Scriptures, neither tine
| power Of God?" This marvellous "Mhatso-
| eyer' depends upon five great conditions,
and if we honestly texamlnc we shall find
| that every case of seeming failure in the
(3) If ye abide in me-. and my words
| abide in you, We shall ask what We will and
1t shall be done unto you.' Ah, here Is
deeper secret Of asking and not having, be-
cause we ask amiss. And this leads US to
| see the root Of our failure III another condi-
| tion.
| ~ "Wharsoever we ask, we receive of
him. because we keep his commandments,
| and do those things that are pleasing In His
| sight" Only rs we are abiding IN him can
We bring forth the fruit Of obedience.
| (5) If We ask ANYTHING according to His
will, He heareth u.s., When what we ask is
founded on a promise or any written evil
| dence OF what the will Of the Lord IL, this IL
comfortingy clear. But what about petit
tions which may or may not be according to
His will? Surely. then, the condition can
| only be fulfilled by complete blending OF
our own will with His.
Two comforting thoughts arise: First.
the very consciousness Of our failure IN
these conditions shows Us the wonderful
kindness and mercy of our King, who
has answered so many a prayer in spite
it % according to His own heart, and
not according to our iultillmcnt., giving
Us of His royal bounty that TO which we
had forfeited all shadow of claim;
secondly. that he who knoweth our
frame knows so the possibilities Of His
grace and would never tantalize us by
offering magnificent gifts on impossible
| conditions. Will he give him stone?
Would an earthly parent? Would you?
Therefore the very anncxing Of these in
trinsicalIy most blessed conditions implies
that His grace is sufficient for their iuifil;
ment, and should lure uS on to q blessed
life OF faith, abiding in Jesus, walking in
obedience unto all pleasing, and will pos
sessed Of his own divine will.'-lFrances
Ridley Havergal.
| DR. KELLEY has said that he holds