The Rice belt journal., 1908-05-15

z though living
right has re,
lation to prayer. Prayer is not quiet.
ly doing the will of God As defined
by Jesus, it is asking of him and re-
Ceiying what We ask
The Word "to Pray"
Our Lord ueoF fcur words in the
Greek which are translated by an
English word TO pray" and a study
of these will reveal the impulse that
prompts the asking. One word has
in it the thought Of inquiry. We 90
to God in prayer to ask questions and
learn Of him what we ought to do.
Another word has in il the sense of
need. 1t is the word used in de-
scribing the prayer meeting after
Pentecost: when they had prayed,
the place was shaken where they were
assembled (Acts ADD
Another word has in it the thought
of calling to ones aid and was used
by Christ when he said: "Thinkest
thou that l cannot pray to my Father,
and he will presently give me more
than twelve legiOns of angels?" Matt.
26:53) This implies that God comes
to the aid of his people in answer to
prayer.
The remaining word has in it the
thought Of Thanksgiving and praise
the word most frequently used by
Christ Watch and pray that We
enter not into temptation," Matt. 26:
41), as if grateful, praiseworthy
spirit in our petitions makes q sort of
double shield of safety.
Asking and Receiving.
All of these words have in them the
primary thought of asking that We
may receive, whether the asking be
prompted by spirit of inquiry, a
ss.9se of need desire for help or q
s. -rit of praise, and We rejoice that
God never wearies of our petitions. he
cseilghts to give good things to them
lat ask him." Matt 7:1L)
But We need more than gifts from
God Our greatest need may be that
he shall act for us rather than give
to lis. and it is comforting to learn
that God works in answer to prayer
ASH and it shall be given to you" is
not ] amer than the other promise.
What oever ye shall ask that will |
do" Gods doings may be more pre-
cious than his gifts.
Ask in christ's Name.
2 In prayer We ask in the name of
Christ. Whatsoever ye shall ask in
my name, that will I do" And again:
If We shall ask anything in my name,
/ will do it." Name in the Bible
stands for character, so that when we
pray in the name of Christ we are
praying in the character of Christ We
ask for what can be given according to
his character.
Ask in Faith.
). In prayer we ask in faith. "All
things whatsoever We shall ask in
prayer believing ye shall receive"
Matt. 21:22) "Dost thou believer was
the test question. "All things are pos
sible to him that believeth."
Ask in Fellowship.
4. In prayer we ask in faith and
fellowship. IF ye abide in me and my
words abide in you, We shall ask what
ye will and it shall be done unto you"
John 1919 These word. occur in
The vine" chapter of Johns Gospel,
and we have in them the relation of
the branch to the vine. Child-life is
one thing and branch-life is another.
The child is born and then grows away
from its mother. Children can live
after the mother dies, but the branch
IS dependent every moment upon the
vine.
For Gods Glory.
.. In prayer we ask in faith and fell
lowship for something in harmony
with his character, that God may be
gloritied. Whatsoever We shall ask
IN my name, that will l do, that the
rather may be glorified in the Son.
lJohn 14:13) James gives the secret
OF so many unanswered prayers. "Ye
ask and receive not, because We ask
amiss, that We may consume it upon
your desires" God does not allow us
TO abuse prayer by making it a means
OF cultlvating selfishness.
Away with the thought that prayer
is only a pious exercise and the only
benefit is it's reflex action upon the
soul. Prayer is the Christians means
OF bringing things to pass. and we
need to wake up to the fact that if is
the mightiest force in the universe.
IL is Gods method of doing things
through his people. The man who
really prays links himself with AL.
mighty God in purpose and nower