News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-10-01
The Price of Success in Prayer

The following paper was read at the
Gihon Valley District Sunday School COZ
vention, recently held at North Hyde
Park
1t is with timidity that 1 stand before
you at this time to speak upon so vital a
subject. l say vital, yes vital. For only
by prayer can true success be gained.
Prayer is the connecting wire between
God and man, bv which we are endowed
with an inspiration that uplifts and ell
Lighters us to a higher plain of thought
and living, re vealing to us the vast op-
portunities that surround us, which If
improved will lead TO true success. For
me with my many short comings and
lack of conservation to speak of any per-
sonal experience would be misleading
and dangerous; bnt this [ can do, and
that is to point you to the one great and
true Pattern, Christ Jesus orr Lord and
Master.
In the first chapter of Mark the 35th
verse, we read these words And in the
morning, rising up great while before
day, He went out ana departed into a
desert place, and there prayed. "Also
Mark 6:3l-"And he saith unto them,
come ye yourselves apart into a desert
place, and rest awhile"
In secret prayer Christ is our example
1t had been day full of events with
Christ and the disciples at Caperneum
while at evening they were greatly pressed
by the multitude. The Christ improved
the opportunity to administer to their
needs. Breaking the bread of Life to
them. healing their diseases, also casting
out devils. Yet we find that Christ could
not maintain the heavenly life within His
Soul with out separating himself from
man and communing with the Father.
For we read in the Scriptures that the
deciples rising early in the morning find
Jesus gone and they search TOR Him and
when they found Him He was still pray
ing. His life was one of dependence.
AS we consider this fact does it not
cause us to become silent and fearful as
to our own individual condition withGod.
What a lesson indeed this is to every
Christian and o, how great the cost if
not needed. In the world to day as ever
in the past the Christian comes into con-
tact with all classes of people, and all
kinds of conditions have to be met, which
weakens our Spiritual life.
In Ephesians the sixth chapter the
18th, 18th, and 18th, verses we. read that
" We wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness. of this
world, against Spiritual wickedness in
high places. Wherefore take unto you
the whole armor of God, that ye may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all to stand. Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the
spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all
saints"
Christian friends it is from heaven
alone that the power to lead a heavenly
life on earth can come. If we feel that
our lives are weakened by much contact
with man and the things of this world. |
then get in touch with God. If we feel
the power within go out as we bless others
then get in touch with the Source of All
Strength.
In Christs prayer as given in John the
18th chapter we note that He addresses
Tod each time as Father. In this word
les the secret of true success in PRAYER.
Christ knew that He was a Son and the
Father loved Him. So He placed Him
elf in the full light of the Fathers coun-
enance. In the eighth chapter of
Romans the 10Th verse we read The
spirit itself beareth witness with orr
pirits, that we are children of God. ~
Then like Christ, should we not attain TO
hat holy silence and alteration of faith
n our prayers. To fall short of these
principals is only to increase the cost of
uccess. To let go of these principles ia
o meet defeat sooner or later.
Christ's one great desire as expressed
D His prayer as recorded in John the
18th chapter was that the Father NAV
e glorifed. ., Christian brother and
ister In Christ when we become inspi1ed