Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-04-27
CHRISTIAN ENpEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning May L.

EEhFGE tzFShhuE AOIthC tut wee
Beginning May L.
Topic.--Answered prayers.-Acts Nv. g.
d.
The habit of prayer has been as
worldwide as the human race. Men
everywhere have prayed to something.
have felt that there was some power
outside OF themselves able to harm
or to help them, and to these pow
ers they have directed their suppli-
cations and prayers. And prayer has
been universal because men every
where have believed in answered pray
ers. Who would pray without faith in
the ability to receive the thing prayed
fort The doubling soul may pour out
its petition in fear and trembling and
yet with hope and in that hope spark
of faith perhaps at least the size of a
grain of mustard seed. But, alas,
many have cried to those who We're
not able 10 hear or to answer. They
have prayed, but no answers have been
received. But with the child of God
it is different. Our God is prayer
hearing and prayer answering God.
We may firmly believe that God an
swers prayer Cor several reasons. l.
God has commanded us to pray. ASK
and We shall receive. seek and ye shall
find, knock and it shall be opened unto
you" ASK" seek" "knock"-these
are the commands But how absurd
these commands if there are no answer
ed prayers, , God promises to answer
prayer, and all His promises are yea
and amen in Christ Jesus" He not
only commands us TO ask, seek, knock.
but promises that we shall receive, find
and have it opened unto us. If we be
keve God we must believe in answered
prayers. 8. Cody men have testified TO
answered prayers. The psalmist says,
q cried unto the Lord. and He heard
me out of His holy HILL" and again, Il
love the Lord because He hath heard
my voice and my supptcations." A
crowd of witnesses could be called to
testify in favor of answered prayers.
All could not have been deceived. and
therefore their testimony must be true.
4 Examples of answered prayers are
abundant. In the topical reference the
apostles prayed. and the answer imme-
aiately came. The Bible contains many
examples of answered prayers. and
there is no child of God who cannot
prayer by the unanswerable argument
that He has done so.
The conditions of answers to prayers
depend upon several things. l. The
character Of the suppliant. The effec-
tual fervent prayer of the righteous
man availeth." If we regard iniquity
in our hearts the Lord win not hear
u.s." 2. The character of the supplica-
ton. All prayers are not answered.
Prayers that prevail must be offered
in faith, in persistency, in submission
to the will OF God and in the name of
Jesus Christ. 3. The will of God. God
controls all things, and His supervision
is over all. Manifestly He cannot grant
a petition to one person that would in
terfere with the general welfare of man
kind or with His larger care over all
His children. All answers are condi-
toned upon His will, and in all our
praying we should not forget the spirit
that characterized the prayer of the
Master when He added to His petition.
Nevertheless Thy WILL not Mine, be
done"
Bible READINGS.
Gen. xviii. 1888; xxi, 24-32; II
Kings xix. 1919. So; Xxx, &c; Job xxxiii,
20; Ps. ky, l, .; xcix, 10; cxvi, II;
Matt. vii, 7-12; John xiv, Is, IA; XIV. 1t.
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