Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-22

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ing prayer, let US mediate for a moment
upon the way in which We should APP
proach God. / love that hymn OF James
Montgomery, which. ! am sorry to say,
IS not often sung in these days. and
IS even omitted from many Of our hym-
naiS
Prayer is the souls sincere desire,
tered or unexpressrd.
The motion Of n hidden lire
That tremhles in the breast.
II would be a good Plan for US to learn
this hymn by heart, for reverent repeti-
ton OF IL is preparation for prayer.
When We pray We should follow certain
lines which | will briefly indicate here.
FIRST. we must begin by looking at the
glory and goodness of God, and adoring
Him whom we love. His power, His wis
dom. His majesty, His eternal years, His
patience, His mercy. His love; these at
tributes which the Bible ascribes to our
God and which are the attributes of per-
lection. call forth wonder, love and
praise. Second Next we must keep ST.
lence for awhile and listen. our Father
and our friend would speak to us: let us
be still and hear His voice. And there is
nothing unusual III this. God does speak
and We can hear. The thought which lie
gives as we wait, the verse of scripture
which comes to mind, the message of
courage fear not'-of love, ..behold |
have loved thee with an everlasting love"
of faith. only belieye'-so our Father
speaks. and lie speaks to His child alone
in the sacredness of personal communion
| Third. Then We must thank God for all
His goodness and review His kindnesses:
| For life. health, strength, food. raiment
friendships, work. pardon and peace
| thank Thee. Lord All. when we count
our mercies how amazed we are in the
realization of Gods goodness. Fourth
Next we must pray for others-not yet
for ourselves: the courtesy of life must
enter into prayer And in this interce S
c Ict nonE fbn
for whom VIE pray before God else our
prayer is unreal and indefinite Friends
and enemies, members of the family, and
men and women with whom we meet
those who are not Christians-what
precious list to bring before the throne
of Him who is so ready to give all that
we ask. Fifth And now we can pray
for ourselves and pour out our longings
our sorrows. our sins and the story of
our faiiureS-the whole great Sobbing
burden which rests upon our hearts-for
God is full of sympathy and wants to
hear everything.
We must keep nothing back not even
the rebellion, the doubt. the willful re
sistance of grace. 1t is here that
prayer reaches its climax. Alteration.
silence, THANKSGIVING and intercesSion
have led us up TO this. and now We just
cast ourselves at the feet Of our loving
King and tell Him all that burdens us.
And We learn how He loves how He
cares, now tie SNlnpdlIllZeS. lot lie takes
us i'll His great infinite arms as a mother
enfolds the tired child. and when have
finished the story He civ. g Us peace. We
can never know the hleSSedneSs of pray
er until we learn thus TO throw our
selves upon our God without fear
complete being lying open before Him
through the confession of our lips
Hast thou agonized in prayer as thy
been willing TO give thyself a ransom for
the good of others as did Paul? How
| much oh my dear child, how much tost
thou desire these things" whatsoever
thou shalt ashland what is il 10 ask
There is where we need to center our
thought. If we really desire it God Will
give ii. But the cold. nerveless prayers
which are offered III our churches and at
our bedsides-hoW can God answer them?
We may reverently say He does not know
what we actually want: If only the heart
is afiame. if only the whole being seeks.
if only the words tor the sience) sing a
loving determination to draw from the
King this gift, then We may he sure that
| in due season an answer, Il bountiful an
| swer will come
| Oh. my friends. let us pray. with all sim
| cerity. with patience, with persistency.
| 1t is the most real thing in the world, this
communion W tn God. 1t brings near
+, to Him. II brings us near together:
| Though sanlered Ear. by faith the: meet
Around one coniin' ,nercy-seat
1t makes us happy in the good which is
/ to come. III assures US of final satiSfac-
ton. 1t makes us strong TO go forward,
| brave to endure. ready to trust. 1t is the
Ngolden ladder set up from earth to
| heaven.
oh. my Father. / thank Thee for this
| privilege of prayer That | can commune
with Thee makes earth kind of heaven.
/ Let me pour out my soul to Thee, hiding
| nothing frcm Thee. Let me wat patient
~ even while | pray persistently l do
| trlIs; Thee. | know Thou dost love ne
| And. however dark the way. / will hold
my hand and look up into Thy face and
TAX with Thee. For Jesus Chrtsts sake,
ana by His merits. Amen