The Washington times., 1913-05-03
BIBLE PRAYERS.

BIBLE PRAYERS.
In discussing the important Christian
Endeavor pledge-point of prayer. we
can well consider in the first place the
model prayer" which was given to His
disciples by the Master Himself. In
this outline for prayer Jesus laid down
the fundamental principles whereon all
Of our petitions may be based. He
did not mean that we should pray this
particular prayer and no other, but he
was merely teaching His disciples as a
father teaches his little children a pri-
mary and fundamental lesson in the
approaching Of God through prayer.
In addition to the Lords Prayer.
other interesting Bible prayers are the
wonderful shortest prayer," luke,
xviii:13: Genesis, xviii:z; xxxiisA-26; II
Samuel. Wills; Kings. iii:6-7; Ell a. TX s;
Matthew. viz: Ephesians. ii:l4; John,
xviii; a large number of the Psalm,
and many other passages.
FAMILY PRAYER.
One form of prayer which in these
days is being neglected is the family
devotion How sweet it Is, how splsn-
did. when the little family, which is The
unit of American civilization, gathers
early in the morning for brief period
Of Bible reading and prayer, and then
again at the eyentide with the lights
turned low offers its united thanks for
the successes and blessings OF the day,
and its prayer for protection through
the night, and for guidance In the days
to come. Such a family, We believe,
can rever be separated in love and
spirit Have we not right here the
panacea for the ills of American family
life. the remedy for the divorce evii!
God grant that the American family
may come back to him through the
REGULAR PRAYER.
In 1 Thess VII we find the injunc-
ton 'pray without ceasing- or course
this does not mean that one is to pray
all the time, but the lesson is clear
that often, in time of sorrow. or dis
appointment, or trouble, or gladness;
or rejoicing, the heart should be lifted
for q moment to the Ruler OF mems
destinies and the Giver of every 5000
gift. Prayer should be regular. We
should have as regular seasons OF
prayer the early morning. before start
ing the affairs of the day. and the
eventime. when the days work Is done.
The saying Of grace before meals Is
splendid habit for every CHRISTIAN 10
cultivate. This may be done whether
in the privacy of the home or IN tne
crowded cafe. 1t need not be an OUT
ward exhibition, but a brief petition OF
thanks for blessings received ana Ior
guidance through the day.
ATTITUDE DURING PRAYER
We said a little while ago that there
are PRAYERS and prayers. We might also
add that there are various mental at
titudes during prayer. There is me one
who prays to his Father. allowing mean
while his mind to roam all over crea-
ton. to think about the affairs OF me
day that has gone. and to plan Lor the
morrow. Such prayers are merely ior-
mai, and IL is to be marvelled at that
they ever reach higher than the ceillns
Or the tree tops. There are those pray
earnestly enough, but with the unmls-
taxable desire to get through as soon
as possible with a long. set formula OF
prayer. They have certain petitions
which must be prayed So many times
day or week. and they set aside a GER
tain portion of each day and go about
their prayers at this season with an
eager desire to hurry through with all
possible dispatch. We cannot believe
that such prayers ever reach the throne
of God. The attitude during prayer
should of course. be earnest. reverent
and sincere. The prayer need not be
long and consist of "vain repetitions."
n NAV be brief. but earnestness ard
sincerity are absolutely necessary.
Without these God may not hear or
answer.
REVERANCE IN PRAYER
One thing that has impressed me re-
Gently has been the sad lack of rev.
erence (shall we say among our young