Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-01-15
H J
CHRISTIAN ERDElvOR.
Prayer Meeting Tooie For Week Be-
qlnnInG Jan. 10 1913.


Topic, How can we better our prayer
neetings?-M xviii. 20. lied by the
prayer meeting committeeD Edited by
Rev. Sherman II. Doyle. ID.
Ii might be supposed that after so
many years Of experience in conduct
ing prayer MEETINGS 1t would be Inn
possible to improve upon them or that
at least the average prayer meeting in
the church and the Christian Endeavor
society would be of such high char
acter that the discussion of how to
have better prayer meetings would be
unnecessary. Such. however. is not
the case Experience and observation
prove how difficult II IL to have truly
attractive and helpful and inspiring
prayer meetings. The meager attend
ance at the average prayer meeting Is
conclusive proof Of this fact The ef-
fect1veness Of such a meeting does not
depend upon numbers, but 1t Is ap-
parent to all that II they were what
they should be the numbers would not
be wanting. When there are helpful
ness and blessing the people will not
be absent. The fact is that the prayer
meeting il one of the most difficult to
make interesting and helpful Only a
comparatively few pastors. much less
young people. without wide experience
are able to make them so. In most
prayer meetings there is room for
great improvement and none Is so
nearly perfect that they cannot be i'm
proved upon: hence we do we'll to seri-
ously and prayerfully consider the
question of better prayer meetings.
L More faith In prayer will make
better prayer meetings. II we really
and truly believed that God is able and
willing to answer our prayer would
the subject of improving services for
prayer need to be discussed? Theo-
retically we believe In prayer. but do
we believe practically to the extent
that we should? IL we believed that
our government would supply all our
temporal wants and place of meeting
were arranged for setting forth these
wants would there be a lack of those
In need to set forth their wants? Per-
haps, among other things. we need to
meet to pray for more faith in prayer
to pray, Lord, believe; help thou
mine unbelief." Certainly If we in
crease our faith our prayer meetings
will be improved.
2. More simplicity and def1niteness In
prayer will make better prayer meet
ings. The average public prayer lacks
and directness. If, as SIM
ply as children come to parents and
commune with them or directly make
known their requests unto them, we
should come to God for communion
and with our requests, our prayer
meetings would be greatly improved.
We should address God as our Father
and make known our real wants and
needs to Him. II such were done the
service for prayer would be attended
and all present would be helped and
blessed.
/ 3. More variety would make better
prayer meetings. In the average pray
er meeting there Is too much sameness
The prayers are usually the same, and
the same people generally take part in
much the same way. Sameness kills;
variety gives life. The cause of such
condition arises from too little prepare.
ton. No service an hour in length can
be properly conducted without pains
and effort Time and thought must be
given to the meeting If it Is to be
success. 1t is worth our best efforts.
and they should be willingly given.
4. Unity in prayer will make better
prayer meetings. IF two of you shall
agree on earth as touching anything
that they shall ask, 1t shall be done for
them of my Father which Is in
heaven"