Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1910-02-05

even when not recognized by his fell
lOW-men. He should know that so far
from receiving a blessing he goes the
more deeply into Divine disfavor.
True prayer should be to the Lord
never to the public. Individual prayer
is specially commended by our Lord.
Family prayer is also Scripturally
proper. Prayer in the Church is prop
er, because supposedly amongst those
who constitute the family of the Lord
this is not public prayer in the prop
er sense Of that term.
The prayers of Gods people should
/ be simple, earnest, heartfelt. They
need not be long. Repetitions are use
less. The Heavenly Father knoweth
| better than we what things we have
need of. He waits to be gracious
waits to be asked for blessings. In SO
doing cultiVates in his people a prop
er spirit of appreciation Of their needs
and longing desires for the good things
he is willing to give-tO the intent that
| they may be blessings in the highest
sense and degree.
| What is generally styled "the model
prayer was given merely as an ex-
ample. We are to pray after the man
ner, but not necessarily in those
! words. The order of the prayer is
beautiful. How properly it opens by
| addressing Our Father in heaven" and
| by expressing desire that the great
| name Of God be hallowed revered.
honored, by all, and therefore by the
petitioner also. 1t proceeds to ex-
press a desire that the Divine will may
| be accomplished on earth as in heaven
| and the confidence that this can come
| about only through the establishment
OF Gods KingdOm-by Messiah's MA
lenial reign Of righteousness, which
will be enforced for the blessing and
| uplifting Of mankind and the bringing
| of all the unwilling from sin and death
conditions to life everlasting.
Thus the chief thing, the glory of
| God and the OutWOrking of the Divine
| Plan, should be the most prominent
things in our hearts as we approach
| the Throne Of Grace. Then we NAV
| remember our own physical needs and
| ask for the bread of life 1t is not for
| us to specify the spiritual or TEMPORAL
| food, but to petition the Giver of all
| good, in the spirit Of submission to the
| Divine arrangements, whatever they
may be.
We have not the wisdom which
| would warrant us in specifying, par
| IcularIzing our wants; rather the
| proper spiritual child delights in the
Fathers will and providence in all
| things
Back of the loaf is the snowy flour
And back of the flour the mill;
| And back of the mill are the wheat and
| shower
| And the sun and the Fathers will. "
When told to pray Forgive US our
| trespasses, we are not to understand
| thereby Original Sin. The great trans
| Sfesslons committed by our father
Adam, which involved hinAlf and all
| OF his posterity in the tence of
| death, cannot be forgiA upon
| request. For its caHcenatioy#Ad has
already arranged-the death oNNist,
the Just for the unjust"
But we trespass through imperfec-
uon and temptation, contrary to orr
| better intentions and wishes. These
SINS require acknowledgment and for
| glVeness. Divine mercy is pleased 70
remit the guilt Of all unintentionaI sins
| and to reckon them as covered with
| the precious blood as part of Original
| Sin. The Lord waits to be thus grac-
| ious, but, desiring our blessing and
| development, he requires that we shall
be similarly forgiying toward those
| with whom we have to do. But if We
forgive not men their trespasses.
neither will your Father forgive your
| trespasses.' Matt 6:150 What an
| incentive to sympathy, generosity and
l forgiveness is here!