The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-02-29


says the Chris
tan. Prayer 10 the native air OF the
child OF God.
What 10 Prsyerf
Prayer has been defined as An Of
fering up OF our desires unto God for
things agreeable TO his will. In the
name OF Christ. with the confession OF
our sins and thankful aeknowledg
ment OF his mercies" Yet prayer Is
more than this: Il is n dialogue. not
monologue: Il Is a vision as we'll al
a voice; II IL a revelation rs well as
a duplication. Prayer Is not q mere
venture and a voice OF mine, but
vision and q voice divine.
In the heart OF every one prayer Is a
sense OF need. but a sense OF need
is not prayer. Prayer is asking for q
felt need and asking God. not the uni
verse. for H. Prayer IL more than an
asking. Il Is n receiving. hearing.
learning OF God. a converse and com
and We have much to bear and learn.
The day in which We live Is so full
Of possibilities that an intelligent man
will not consider anything impossible.
Years ago Morse was considered
fool because he asserted the possibili-
~ OF communication between Wash
ington and New York Likewise Mar
conf was laughed at when he flrst ad'
vocated the Idea OF wireless teleg
raphy. Time and experience. how
ever have proven that these men
were wise and not foolish.
Prayer 10 made possible 70 the
Christian because OF the revelation
Christ has brought TO the world. of
the Father. II is only when we IN
derstand the true nature Of God that
prayer becomes possible. This reye-
lation IL brought TO Us only through
Christ's Interpretation OF God. The
god OF science and philosophy does
not furnish any incentive TO pray.
Balm, the scientist. describes the god
OF science as a double-faced some
thing-mind and force-which lie be
hind all natural phenomena
God 10 Called Father.
II is a remarkable thing to notice
in almost every instance IN the New
Testament that when God Is referred
to In connection with prayer he Is
called Father. This in itself Is an
encouragement IN prayer. as well as
that prayer Is a possibility
II Is expected tina. n child will ash its
father for things IL would not ask
stranger for. The fatherhocd OF God
is not only a motive to prayer. but at
the same time 2 thought which makes
prayer both desirable and possible.
Do ind II hard 10 do as some peo-
pie tell me--namely. TO pray ali
me not be discouraged
but remember that like as a father
God deals with his children. do hot
ask OF my own child that he agoniEe
all night when presenting 10 me
request. But you may say. Il am not
sure that I obey properly" reply,
Like as a father" Does an earthly
parent not grant his child any peti
ton until he properly obeys1 Like
as a father" But. you say. Il do not
God" Who does! Shall
a father not grant n child's request
until he is understood by the child'
Then The ehlld's request will never be
Like as a father pitieth his
children. ct the Lord pitieth them
that fear him."
But the Father 10 whom We are
10 pray Is an almighty Father. one
who Is absolutely sovereign and ON
nipotept There are no difficulties
with God. and we must always re-
member that More things are
wrought by prayer than this world
dreams Of" Whatever may be our
opinion OF the unchangeableness OF
Gods laws, We must never forget
hat every promise made 10 the pray
prful soul shall be fulfilled by 9
God, even though ten thou
,and OF what We call Interchangeable
avs need 10 be ESQ called) broken.
IL Il not true that we ourselves
Freak laws to supply the needs Of our
own cbildren7 II my little child 10
lying OF q burning fever In the middle
u August and calls for Ice when the
temperature registers 100 degree. n
know enough | can make ice. even
hough the temperature stands at 100.
md answer the prayer Of my child. II
ny boy is falling from q third story |
window. AMI hearing his afrrighted
all I rush to his help and catch him
re he touches the ground not only
ave bis life. but break what may
70 called an interchangeable law
the law OF srsvitation. So
nay We believe all things are possible
With God.