The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-04-11
WHY ARE NOT MORE PRAHERs
. ANSWERED DR. LYONS SUBJECT
IA LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE
GATHER AT THE TABERNACLE
TO HEAR THE EMINENT EVAN
eELlsT-ExEeEsls OF ESSEN
TlALs FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYER.

why are not more prayers answer
ed,p was the subject OF Dr. Lyons
address this afternoon, following the
theme of essentials for effective pray.
err
The service was preceded by n
brier song service led by Frof. M1;ch.
ell in which the congregation joined
heartily. The afternoon services are
among the most profitable of the ser.
les and begin and close promptly, with
one.hour service. Mrs. Allison fol-
lows the service with her class for
personal workers. The class began
yesterday and already the interest is
great.
This afternoon DR.. Lyon spoke upon
Prayer"
Luke Ill. Lord. teach us 10
pray. Among other things he said:
There is no subject in connection
with the spiritual life that has caus
ed the average Christian more
doubt and difficulty than that Of
prayer. 1t is certain that prayer is
the Christians vital breath. It lies
at the heart of all spiritual progress.
1t has been varlously defined in the
scriptures. 1t Is called in some places
Lifting up the heart and soul un-
to Cod" The entire nature must
go forth toward our Heavenly Faith
er. open and responsive to his Spirit
If there is to be any. genuine prayer.
Prayer has also ben designated as
Calling upon the name of the Lord
You parents have had this experience
in the darkness OF the night, when
the child was in need or suffering.
Though the little one could not see
the parent yet 1t was conscious that
the parents ears we're always atten-
tfve"to its cries. Prayer Is also de-
fined as Drawing near to God Let us
draw near to Him with full assur.
ance OF faith. Just aslin the evening
the child climbs on its fathers knee
and nestles down to slumber so the
human heart should draw near to the
Heavenly Parent without forebodins
or fear.
Prayer is important, first OF all,
on account OF our great Associate in
prayer No one OF us would deem
IT small privilege or honor to have
an Interview with the King Of Eng.
land, or the Emperor of Germany,
or our own President. We would
consider 1t one OF the great events
Of our life; to be planned for in ad.
vance and to be looked back to in
the future. How much greater Is
the privilege and honor of having
an Interview with the King OF kings?
Yet many rush hastily into Gods pres
ence, just as mischievous boys rap at
the door and hurry away before the
housekeeper can answer the summons.
Prayer is also important because
II is commanded by the scriptures.
We are exhorted to ask, to seek and
to knock. This is not only exhorta.
tive, but also Imperative. We asE
for something We want or want to
know. We seek for something We have
lost; We knock for admission 10 some
place that before we had not obtained
entrance. Whatever God in his words
commands, whether it be for prayer
or for service, it is your business and
mine to obey
"In the next place prayer Is i'm.
porant on account of the example
of holy men throughout the scrip.
lures. Every soul throughout the
generations that has had a great in.
fluence with men, has first Of all had
q great influence with God. Before
Abraham left his native land ho erect
ed an altar and prayed. At Bethel,
Jacob communed with God Moses
went out from the presence OF Pha-
raoh and. called upon the Lord, David
lay upon his face all night in prayer.
Before Nehemiah began his great work
of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem
he spent season in fasting and
prayer. Peter went upon the house
top at noon to pray, and with Panl,
prayer seemed to be the chief bust.
ness of his ministry.
But more than all these, Jesus him,
self spent much time in communion
with the Father Before every great
event of his earthly ministry, he con.
tinued for season in prayer. SO
many speak Of Jesus going upon the
mount to be transagured. That is not
what the scriptures says, lIe went,
upon the mountain to pray, and while
he was praying the transfguration
came. Here then, IS the great truth
that should find It's way to every mind
iSnd} beart that II Iesus n The SON III