Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-01-03
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.

vaoptc For the Week BEGINNING Jan.
5-Comment by Rev. =. ii. Doyle.
1tvc-Prayer that obtains ii. Sis,
UaA a-S.
ae topical references give us three
astrations of prayers that obtained
Gayers among men, each one illustrat-
ing the increased willingness of God to
amswer the prayers of His people.
/. The prayer of the friend at mid
night duke ii. 5-9). In this parable
Jesus describes one friend coming to
smother at midnight and asking for
bread for a friend who has come to
visit him At first he refuses and calls
out, "Treuble me not - but the other
persists, and at last his perseverance
prevails Because of his importantly
his friend hears him and grants his re-
quest. Now, if man thus answers the
prayers Of his fellow man, how much
more may we expect God to answer the
earnest, persistent. continued prayers
of His peoplel 1t is true, He may delay
the answer for our good. but if we per-
severe the answer, if for our good, will
finally come If we ask. we shall re-
ceive; if we seek, we shall find; if we
knock, it shall be opened unto US.
2. The prayer of children TO parents
Christ second illustration is that of
son asking bread of his father and re-
ceiving bread and fish, and not stone
or q serpent. Earthly parents hear and
answer the prayers of their children
They would not think of knocking their
cries for bread by giving them stones
or their cries for fish by giving them
serpents God is our Heavenly Father,
and if earthly parents give good gifts
to their children. in answer to their
prayers much more may we expect
God. our Heavenly Father, to give His
Spirit to them that ask Him.
8. The widow and the unjust judge.
In this case widow presents a petit
ton to an unjust judge. one who nei-
Their regards God nor man. AT first he
refused her petition, but she came again
and again, and at last he granted it.
lest by her continual coming she should
weary him. If an unjust judge would
thus hear and answer the prayer Of a
poor widow. with what more reason
can we expect our God, who is just.
and not only just, but merciful and
loving, to answer our petitions
4. These three parallels all teach one
great. important truth-namely. that
God will answer prayer; that if we are
earnest and persevering in our petit
items God will not turn deaf ear to
our cries Let US be encouraged. there
fore. to spend much time in prayer.
Our prayers will obtain. Let US specially
pray at this time for the outpouring of
Gods blessing upon the churches and
people of God. If the prayers of indi-
viduals for temporal blessings prevailed,
how much more can we believe that
our united prayers for great spiritual
blessing will prevail.
THE PRAYER MEETING Make this a
special prayer and praise service. Have
special prayers for special objects, SEN
tence prayers silent prayer and a
prayer chain, number standing
and praying one after the other. Inter-
sperse the praying with appropriate
: hymns and testimonies.
Bible Readings. Gen. xxi, 1870 !;
II Kings xix. 1910. So; l Sam. xii.
1926; Ps. ". II; XIV. 1, 2; Isa. lviii.
8; XIV, "a: Math. vi. els; vii, I'll :;
John xiv. IA; XIV. 16; Acts ii, 4147
Eph. iii. 1421; Jas. v. 1920; John
iii. %.