The Tupelo journal., 1906-07-20
Jesus Teaching
How to Pray
iundayschool Lesson for July u. 1906
Specially Prepared for This Paper.


after last lesson.
PLACE.-Somewhere in Perea.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES.-Exam-
pies as to prayer: Prayers in secret, Matt.
14:23; $3.50; Mark 1:35; Luke SIG; 6:12; s:ls.
In public, Matt. II rs; 1926; Luke HI;
John Hal; III. Grace before meat, Matt.
1919; 1926; Mark Sal. Long prayers, In
public and in private. John IT; Mark 1:So;
Luke 6:12. Short, e~jaculatory prayers.
Matt. 27:4s; Luke 1884; John 11:4l; ~.
Prayer for friends, Matt. 1913; Luke 2:32:
John II. Prayer for enemies, Luxe zs:S.
Prayer for himself (but always with tns
G eh1ashs t Of Stnsrs, about Matt pray es:s'' "'
Group l. Matt. 6:5, 6.
Group 2. Matt. 81, s.
Group 8. Matt.6:9-13.
Group 4. Mark IL rs; Matt. 5:4.
al:ai; Mark I HIS; Matt. i7:aS; Mark Ii:a:
Group s.. Luke 1918; 1859.
Group Z. Luke 1111-13.
Group 5. Luke 1894.
Group 8. Matt. 1919, 20; 9:37, S.
Group 10. John 14:13, IA; 1871, 10; lo:z5'
"a. &c, q.
1t was now late in the year A. d.
20, or possibly early in 80. Jesus was
probably still in Perea, though the ex-
act locality is unknown. Jesus. In
these teachings about prayer, repeats
the several petitions of that prayer
lie SlNcA Ill ulS OcI llO oi ~ AONA
He doubtless found it necessary more
than once to teach thus particularly on
the all-important subject of earnest
prayer, and also would naturally give
a form of prayer; but the differences
noticeable in the two reports-Matt-
6:9-13, and verses "a before us-show
that he placed no emphasis upon the
exact words. He sought rather, by this
model, to show in what spirit we
should approach God and what petit
tions we may bring to him with assur-
ance of being heard. Not yet did he
teach the disciples to pray I'm his
name" That came later. At this date
they could not have understood it.
They needed first to learn to pray in
a filial spirit, with and for others, and
to continue praying if the answer were
delayed.
The Lords Prayer.-We, somewhat
appropriately style the prayer which
Jesus taught "the Lords Prayer" 1t
Is our prayer-the prayer for every
child of God. "Its distinctive charac-
teristics-the flial spirit and the fra
ternal spirit. The Lords Prayer is thus
nothing else han the summary of the
law put into practice; and this sum-
mary so realized in the secrecy of the
heart will naturally pass thence into
the entire life."-Godet. 81 used to
think the Lords Prayer was a short
prayer; but as | live longer, and see
more of life, | begin to believe there is
no such thing as getting through it"
Our Heavenly Father knows no
fayoritism; he is just as willing to an
swer the prayer of his humblest child
as that of the most mature saint. But
it is true that we need to be taught to
pray. Now the same Teacher who
taught the apostles and early disciples
has been the Teacher of every one who
has been mighty in prayer since their
day. And he has not yet closed his
school, nor ever turned away one Will
ing to be a scholar. To him we too
may come and with sincere hearts offer
the prayer which is our Golden Text:
Lord, teach us to pray" Jesus will
not give US some magic formula, for
saying prayers is not praying, but
through his own words of teaching.
such as we have to-day before us, and
through practice drill, he will teach
| and train us, so that We too may be
able to offer the e~hectual. fervent
prayer which ''availeth much"
Jesus example, as well as his words.
! taught those who were associated with
him that it is mans high privilege to
pray to the great God. At one time
they asked Jesus, Teach us to pray"
In replying he taught that we may
come 10 God as loving children to a
kind father. and that we may pray for
others as we'll as ourselves. Our first
petitions should be for the honoring of
our Fathers name, the coming of
Christ's kingdom. and the accomplish
ment of Gods blessed will among men.
Then we may bring TO him our per-
sonal needs-our need of daily nour-
ishment for bodies and souls. our need
of forgiveness, and need of deliverance
from the temptations of the evil one.
God is more willing to answer our
prayers than earthly friends are to
grant favors to one another, or than
even an earthly parent is to give good
things to his children. Jesus enforced
| his teaching by a parable showing the
need of persistence in prayer. God
may, for wise reasons, delay in answer
ing our prayers, but we should con-
| tinue to pray with confidence and per-
sistence.
The Dead-Prayer Ofice.-What be-
| comes of c.,l the unanswered letters?
Thousands of them find their way to
the dead letter Office. Some never
reach the person to whom they are ad-
dressed, because of the postage not be-
ing paid; some fail because they are
directed to the wrong office; some can
not be sent because the address is il
legible; and some because the matter
inclosed is ~illegible. These float
through the mails, are examined at diff
| ferent offices, marked "Missent," and
| finally they fall into the dead letter
office. There they are opened and
read, and if valuable, are forwarded;
if not, they are given to the flames.
| Such is the accuracy and skill of the
post Office department, that very few
fail to reach their destination. Some
prayers never reach God because they
| are not addressed to his Office. They
are directed to the audience. Gods Of
fee is not in our neighbours care. and
If we direct our prayers to that point.
they will certainly so to the dead let
ter office. Each of the reasons why
| letters go astray will hold good of IN
ansvered prayers-Adyocate.