Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-30

the early disciples knew better where to
turn for help in time Of need than some of
us disciples do today, and with full conh-
dence. when they had heard the story, they
lifted up their voices to God in prayer.
And that prayer contained a whole con-
fession of faith. 1t rings down the ages in
mighty words of trust. The opening SEN
tence, Thou art Cod Is enough to give
confidence to trembling doubter. 1t was
as if that was enough to know to be sure
of an answer. A God which made heaven
and earth could surely take care of His
church in spite Of all the chief priests.
Their eyes Of faith were able to see the
meaning of prophecy. They could see in
their present straits but the fulfiillment of
all that God had foretold concerning Jesus
and the great plan of salvation. 1t is not
the wise and learned high priests
who are given to understand the deep and
hidden meanings of Gods ways and mes
sages. It is to those who are in close touch
with Him through prayer whose hearts are
given to understand.
And 1t was not that no trouble might
come to the church through the threaten
ings of those in power that they prayed
but that they might have boldness and
strength to speak out, and that great signs
and wonders might be done through the
name of Jesus. It was for the glory of
God that they prayed. not for their own
selfish plans. Is 1t not just possible that
the reason the place where we pray our
churchly prayers Is not more often shaken
nightly in sign of answer is that we are
not praying in that way? How many
churches and Christian Endeavor societies
ever meet together to pray that they may
have courage to go forward with Gods
commands in spite of powerful opposition?
Is 1t not more often the case that they
pray for the success of some pet project
which though good in the main may not be.
Gods way of working In that particular
church? 1t is very necessary that we use
prayer to strengthen our own poor courage
and willingness to do hard things before
we pray that God Will remove the hard
things.
There is another thing worthy of notice
at this PRAYER meeting They prayed with
one accord" There was no one present
to say: See here. friends, it Is my opinion
that Peter and John ought to be a little
more cautious about their ways Of work.
Ing. Now, why not have healed that blind
man in less conspicuous place. and not
made such a public fuss about this matter?
l see no need to antagonize those high
priests. They can do our church a lot Of
trouble IL they try. and we may be glad of
their help some time. They are good men
in the main, if they don't believe in Jesus"
No, the days were too near when Jesus
himself had walked with them the earth.
face to face, for any to say that. 1t IS
only when people get away from Him that
they are tempted to smooth over sins, and
keep in with the ma jority.
And so the prayer in one mighty, I'M
broken voice arose to heaven, and the an
swer came, promptly and Enthusiastically.
prayers Oh Cndt KIM never rail- TO get S0Cn
answers. Even today there are answers
marvellous as the shaking of the place
where one prays. It matters not how the
answers come, whether by the shaking of
the house or the unexpected turn Of. other
affairs, so the heart that prays hears the
answer.
God has yet some disciples who turn as
naturally to pray for relief in any distress
as did the disciples of old. To them He
gives His gracious answers. Those an
swers are not always relief from pain or
suffering but they are always an assurance
that Gods strength is theirs for the time
of need
There are certain things we may pray for
knowing that it is Gods will we should re-
ceive. There are other things about which
we cannot be certain Of His will, but if We
are wholly given UP to His will He will
either give them to US or make us satisfied
to &C without them If We would but re-
member to turn with full confidence to our
God in trouble all our prayers might ring
Like song Of praise instead of most of
them sounding like a wall OF peevish
child.
Applied truth-"Raleigh when will you
leave off begging?' said Queen Elizabeth
auently did. a favor. when your maJes-
ty leaves of giving, replied Raleigh, the
courtier.
How to Help the Leader.
You must know Of some wonderful an
swers to prayer even IL you cannot say
you have ever had any yourself. Can you
not tell about them? II you do not, sup
pose you make list OF those recorded In
the Bible and mention them as witnesses
that God does answer His own.
Parallel passages.-Job 81 DC: Psalms go;
Psalms 66:19,2O; Isaiah 60:24; Zechariah
1870; Matthew 1919; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9;
Romans 1913; Psalms 116:1, q
Hints to the leader.-Christian Endeavor
HYMNS L. IL, 81, 81, 169.
The Endeavor Hymnal. 81, 80, 49, 70, 153.
This should be great meeting of awak-
ening for the society. No subject like that
ties. The meetings need more prayers, the
individuals need to learn to pray.
Often wonderful shaking of the place.
may be had oy just spending almost the
entire hour of the meeting in prayer.
Ask for number of brief testimonies
concerning personal answers to prayer.
There are many well authenticated stories
worth much in influencing others to trust
Gods promises.
Draw a parallel between your own church
or society's need of Gods help at this time,
and the need OF the early church, when they
cried to God with one accord. Urge your
society to join in such united prayer for
Gods help. Follow your talk by sentence
prayers.
Why therefore, should we do ourselves this wrong,
Or others-that we not always strong;
That overborne with care;
Anxious or troubled, when with US is prayer
And JOY and strength and courage are with Thee!
TRENCH.
Watch! Though long be the twilight delaying,
Let the first snnbeams arise on thee praying.
1han armies Of Satan against thee Allied