Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-05-21

II ~ hao NN-
lation to prayer Prayer is not quiet
ly doing the will Of God. As defined
by Jesus. It is asking OF him and re-
ceiving what we ask.
The Word ITO Pray"
Our Lord uses four 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 II the thought OF inquiry. We go
20 God in prayer 10 ask questions and
learn Of him what we ought TO do.
Another word has in II the sense OF
need. 1t is the word used in de.
scrlbing the prayer meeting after
Pentecost: when they had prayed.
the place was shaken where they were
assembled" (Acts ADD
Another word has in II the thought
OF calling to ones aid, and was used
by Christ when he said: "Thinkest
thou that / cannot pray to my Father,
and he will presently give me more
than twelve legions Of angels?" Matt.
| :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 rsost frequently used by
Christ Watch and pray that ye
enter not into temptation" Matt. &c:
AL, as II a 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 q spirit Of inquiry, q
sense OF need, a desire for help or q
spirit of praise. and we rejoice that
God never wearies OF our petitions. he
delights to give good things TO them
that ask him." Matt IT'D
But we need more than gifts from
God. Our greatesA need may be that
he shall act for us rather than give
to US, and II 10 comforting to learn
that God works In answer TO prayer.
ASK and II shall be given to you" is
not palmer than the other promise.
Whatsoever 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 We shall ask in
my name, that will do" And again:
If ye shall ask anything in my name,
will do st." 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.
3. In prayer we ask in faith. "All
things whatsoever ye shall ask In
prayer believing We shall receive"
Matt 2l:22.) "Dost thou believer" was
the test question. IAN things are pos
sible to him that believeth."
Ask In Fellowship.
I. In prayer we ask in faith and
fellowship. III We abide in me and my
words abide in you, we shall ask what
ye will and it shall be done unto you"
John 15:7.) These words occur N
the wine" chapter Of Johns Gospel.
and we have in them the .TelatIon OF
the branch to the Vine Child-Ufe is
one thing and branch.life Is another.
The child is born and then grows away
from it's mother. Children can live
after the mother dies, but the branch
is dependent every moment upon the
vine.
For Gods Glory.
g. In prayer We ask in faith and sel-
lowship for something in harmony
with his character, that God may be
glorified. Whatsoever ye shall ask
in my name, that will do. that the
Father may be glorifed in the SON.
(John 14:1s) James gives the secret
, Of so many unanswered prayers. I'VE
ask and receive not, because ye ask
amiss. that ye may consume II upon
your desires" God does not allow us
to abuse prayer by making Il a means
Of cultlyatiug seltishness.
Away with the thought that prayer
IL only a pious exercise and the only
beneft 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 Il Il
the mightiest force In the universe
II Is Gods method Of doing things
through his people. The man who
, really prays links himself with Al
/ mighty God In purpose and power.