Semi-weekly herald., 1909-10-14

Read II .5-l2 "A Lesson on Prayer. T"
This parable of Jesus is first OF all
lesson on prayer. AS Jesus was
praying in certain place when he
ceased, one of his disciples said un-
to Him. Lord teach us how to pray"
words OF what is commonly known as
the 'I-urd's Prayer" the simplest.
shortest and yet the most comprehen-
siye prayer that Is known today or
ever has been formulated. Yet He was
not satisfied with merely giving them
the words to utter. He must animate
that by clearly pointing out the ex-
pectant spirit III which we are 10 come
given to this parable but Il surface
glance anr have thereto = carr ed
away an utterly false idea of its Inn
port. ley declare that 1t teaches the
need of Importantly In paryer. AS a
matter of fact it teaches exactly the
opposite No, the need of inpo-tnniSy
bni he nee Of expectant ,aih that
what We ask in accord with His will
shall he Immediately granted"
ASK and It Shall Be Given You"
The mistake has arisen because men
have jumped at the conclusion that
Jesus was drawing an analogy he
tween the earthly Friend aud God"
He was not drawing an analogy but
a contrast. Our earthly friend may be
In bed and think that he has sufficient
reason for delaying or refusing re-
quest that under other circumstances
he would gladly grant. but God never
sleeps. nor Is He ever in such a po-
sition that he does not hear or is un-
wing to imme diately an3wer every
payer that meets his p'l'nlq state0
conditions.
Ii your prayers are unanswered, be
loved, 1t is not because you have not
importuned enough. II may be because
of some secret sin. It may be because
you must first right some wrong But
never because God is unwilling
Therefore, say unto you, all things
whatsoever ye pray and ask for, be
lieve that ye have received them and
ye shall have them" st. Mark 11:24.
"What to Pray For."
But the lesson often entirely over
looked in studying this parable is no
less important that the first. It is
the answer to the question What to
+ ny for" Notice the pc culin II si'rs-
ton. The man is not in need of some
thing for himself, but for another A
friend of his has come to him on his
journey and needs food. the asass has
had e.rougn nourishment for his own
needs. but in this emergency he must
appeal TO one more plentifully supplied
1t is Christ's picture of the Christ
ian mission and his one essential need
in order TO fulfil that mission.
All around us are wayfaring men
and women, sin-sick souls, and souls
hungering after righteousness. Some
would come to you and some to me II
they thought that there was the least
hope that we could help them.
But many christians cannot help be.
cause they have only enough grace for
themselves.
Jesus teaches us in this parable
where to go for food to feed our hun;
CRY and perishing neighbors on their
journey from earth TO heaven, and
what to ask for. We are to go to God
ard we are to ask expectantly for ;ii'
baptism of the Holy Spirit
We learn this from the conclusive
remarks of Jesus as he sums up the
teaching of this parable. "If ye then
being evil know how to give good
things unto your children. how much
more will your heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him
Luke I1:I3"
The Two Last Messages Of Jesus"
This parable contains the gist of the
two last and most vital messages that
Jesus delivered to the world.
During the years of his earthly min.
istry He had many and varied mes
nhStS ioi thoSt Who
touching upon every phase of the alum
dant life He had come to bring.
But sfter His death and resurrection
during those forty days among men
before His ascension-He had but two
messages repeated on every occasion
and emphasized by every possible
change Of wording without changing
the import OF the message.
Christ's First Vital Message.
The first message may be best sum
married. In His words as recorded in
St John 202l--"As the Father hath
sent me into the world so send you
into the world" For what purpose
l Tim. 1:15-"This is faithful saying
and worthy of all acceptation tha'
that Christ Jesus came into this worlt
save sinners"
This, then. is our mission M /
church--o save sinners-and we are
''of God" just is proportion as this mis-
sion fills and thrills our whole bein,
and shapes our ambition.