Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-01-10
CHRIS TiAN ENDEAVOR.

Topic For the Week beginning Jan.
7-Comment by Rev. s. II. Doyle.
ToPie--Prayer that obtains Luke II. 5.ls;
twill, 2-6.
The topical references give us three
illustrations of prayers that obtained
prayers among men, each one illustrat-
ing the increased willingness of God to
answer the prayers of His people.
/. The prayer of the friend at mid
night Luke ii. Soy In this parable
Jesus describes one friend coming to
another at midnight and asking for
bread for friend who has come to
visit him. At first he refuses and, calls
out. Trouble me not but the other
persists, and ut 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 Gcd to answer the
earnest, persistent. continued prayers
Of His people II is true, He may delay
the answer for our good, but ii we per-
severe the answer. II for our good, will
finally come. II we ask, we shall re-
ceive; II we seek, we shall find; if we
knock, 1t shall be opened unto us.
Q. The prayer OF children to parents.
Christ's second illustration is that Of a
son asking bread of his father and re-
ceiving bread and fish, and not stone
or n serpent. Earthly parents hear and
answer the prayers of their children.
They would not think Of mocking their
cries for bread by giving them stones
or their cries for Ash by giving them
serpents, God ia 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 petit
tion to an unjust judge, one who nei-
ther regards God nor man. At first he
refused her petitian, 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 tho 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
tions God will not turn q deaf ear to
our cries. Let MS be encouraged. there.
fore, to spend much time in prayer.
Our prayers win 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 a great spiritual
blessing will prevail. ~
THE PRAYER MEETING. Make this
special prayer aud praise service. Have
special prayers for special objects. sem
tence prayers. client prayer and a
prayer chain, number standing
and praying one utter the other. Inter
sperse the praying with appropriate
hymns and testimonies
Bible Readings, -Gen. xxxii, 24-30;
II Kings XIX. 1910. 80; l Sam. xii,
1895; Ps. lv, II; lxv, 1, .; Isa. lviii.
0; lxv, "a; Math, vi, 8-ib; vii. I'll;
John xiv. Ia; XIV. 10; Acts ii, 41-47;
Eph, iii. 1875 JAS Y, 1920; l John
iii, 81