The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-05-03
THE LESSON TEXT.
MattheW. I'VE 60

Matthew xxvi:36-46-
tAmerican standard revised veTsion.)
So Then cometh Jesus with them unto
place called Gethsemane, and saith unto
His disciples, Sit We here while 1 go yon-
der and pray
81 And He took with Him Peter and
the two sons Of zebedee, and began TO
be sorrowfuI and sore troubled.
IS. Then saith He unto them, My soul
is exceeding sorrowfuI. even unto death;
abide ye here ard watch with ne.
SO. And He went forward = little aud
fell on his face and prayed, saying, Ny
Father, if it is possible let this cup pass
away from me: nevertheless, not as 1
viii but as Thou wilt.
40. And He cometh unto the disciples
and hndeth them sleeping. and saith unto
Peter, What, could We not watch with me
one hour2
Il Watch and pray that We enter not
into temptation; the spirit indeed is will
ing. but the flesh is weak.
A. Again second tine He went away
and prayed, saying. My Father. if this
cannot pass away except I drink it. thy
viii be.
Sleeping, for their eyes were heavy
a. And ne left them again and went
away and prayed a third time, saying
again the same words.
10. Then cometh He TO the disciples and
saith unto them, Sleep on now and take
your rest; behold. the hour is at hand,
and the Sen Of Man is betrayed into the
hands Of sinners.
4G Arise let rs he going behold he
is at hand that betrayeth me.
References.
Thessalonians, VIZ. IS: Mark. xiv:32-42;
James, iv.6-IO; Matthew, vii:7-1I; James,
v-l3-20: Matthew, xxi:17-22; Proverbs,
xv:S: Romans, viii:26; Philippians, i've;
I Thessalonians, VIZ, IS. Mark, -;
James, 1871; Matthew, vi:5-15-
Suggested Hymns.
Christian Endeavor hymns, 80, SO. o.,
$50, 49, 209, 215-
The EndeavOr Hymnal, 81. 4s. 46. IS. 81,
~. 16o, I99, 2g3-
Thoughts on the Topic
The necessity for prayer is strongly
shown in the forty-f1rst verse: Watch
and pray, that ye enter not into tempta-
ton; the spirit indeed is willing. but the
flesh is weak" Prayer keeps Us from fall
ing into temptation; it gives Us strength
for the battle of life; it helps US to fight
a good fight and keep the faith. Even
Christ, who lived without sin, found It
necessary to go 10 the father il prayer,
to get strength TO bear the burden which
weighed so heavily upon him How much
greater, then, is cur neeG for the divine
help which is 10 be had for the asking.
Prayer and communion with God are as
essential to spiritual nouTishEent and
growth IS are food, water, and air TO
physical life And Just as We have reCu-
lar times for meals so should We have
fixed hours Eor prayer Each day should
have its beginning and its close n prayer.
Fifteen minutes in the early morning
spent in quiet communion with the Al
mighty viii strengthen US for the days
work, VIII soften the temper and sweeteu
the disposition, and help to smooth ont
the little difficulties Of everyday life.
In forming the habit OF regular prayer,
however, mechanical praying is to be
guarded against One who repeats a
prayer by rCte while the mind wanders
10 other things is little better than the
man IN the exaggerated anecdote who
wrote out his prayer and posted II at the
head Of his bed, and each night on retir-
ing would point TO it and say, Lord, those
are my sentiments"
not Indispensable We should send up
petitions throughout the day whenever
we feel the need OF help and strength
AS a local minister has expressed 1t, We
should send 10 the throne Of grace brief
kilograms from the desk, the shop. the
scboolroom or wherever we may be
Prayers should not be composed wholly
Of selfish petitions We should give thanks
for Gods goodness TO US; We should ask
forgiveness for our transgressiOns. Ex-
anime the model prayer given by Christ
to his disciples-Jhe Lords Prayer, so
called-and observe how small part is
made UP of requests for the benefit Of the
individual.
The prayers of the saints are Iikened
to sweet incense ascending 10 the throne
Of God. The Lord is always ready TO hear
and answer the requests of his children,
and he answers them as a wise father
But he does not always give the exact
thing wanted The parent knows that to
give the child the knife for which it
cries would cause pain and injury 80
God, instead OF always granting the thing
desired often sends something infinitely
better, something more adapted to our
needs, and in time we realize this.
There IS an old saying that God helps
those who help themselves - which might
be modified to read, God helps men 10 help
themselves After praying for a thing
We should not wait for 1t to be brought
to US On a silver platter God does moth
ing for man that man can do for himself
When human effort is exhausted the divine
comes to the rescue. If there is an earn
est desire for .ae object OF prayer. the
person will strive to bring il about-and
herein may often be found the answer II
is vain for Christians TO pray for the con
version of the world and make no effort TO
that end.
Some men pray fervently in time Of
great need, but forget the things Of God