The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-31
BROOKLYN TABERNACLE
WHO MAY PRAY, AND FOR WHAT.
luke .ff:f-fs-Februarv

Luke 11:1-13-February 1,
ASK and it shall be given you: seek.
and We shall find: knock, and it shall
be opened until you."-Luke 11:9.
Jesus usually prayed alone. On some
occasions He spent the entire night in
prayer to God. How inconsistent that
would have been II He Himself were
the Father. who for a time was with
men and outwardly appeared as the
sistent is the thought Of Jesus prayer
to the Father when taken in connection
with His own declarations: MY Fa-
ther is greater than T. (John 1929
Il came not to do Mine own will, but
the will Of Him that sent Me" (John
6:38); ':Of Mine own self can do moth
ing; as ! hear (of My Father] Judge. I"
John $3.50.
No doubt the disciples noted the Mas
ter's frequency in prayer, and the bless
ing which He received therefrom. Jesus
by His example taught them to desire
the privilege of prayer. In due time
they requested instruction, saying.
Lord, teach us to prayr' It is well
that We inquire who may pray. and
for what things. else we might pray
without authority. or pray amiss. al
st. James declares some do.-Jamea
l4:3.
There is a difference between wor-
may offer homage to the Lord, or ex-
press thanks and appreciation. But
as for making requests of God, prayers,
this privilege is distinctly limited. The
Jews were privileged to offer prayer,
because they were in typical relation
ship with God under the Law Cove
nant. But the Gentiles had no such
privilege until after the Jewish favor
had ended-three and a half years after
Jesus crucifixion.
The first Gentiles whose prayers were
received, according to the Bible. was
Cornelius. And even his prayers were
not acceptable until he had been in
structed respecting Christ's redemp-
tive work and had become q follower
of Jesus. Then his prayers and his
conservation were acceptable to the
Father. and he was received into Gods
family. Then az a son he had the right
or privilege OF prayer.-Acts. 10: :25-48.
So while any one may offer worship
and reverence to God none Is privileged
to pray unless he has become a con-
| the immature children of consecrated
persons. All over the world today
Jesus words Our Father win be
misinterpreted to signify the Father
hood Of God and the brotherhood OF
man." The fact that consecrated dis
were Instructed to pray. Our Father
will be- ignored.
There is a general tendency to ig-
more faith in the redeeming blood-te
I! ignore the fact that no man cometh
unto the Father but by the Son. (John
1850. Adam indeed was created a sor
of God. But his disobedience and
| death sentence Cancelled the relation
ship, which cannot be restored except
| in Gods appointed way through
Christ. Prayer is a wonderful privilege
It is not for sinners. but for those JUS
titled by the great Advocate whom the
Father has appointed-Jesus.
sAfter This Manner Pray"
The model prayer which Jesus CAV,
His followers is grandly simple.
opens with a reverent acknowledg
ment of the greatness and sacrednea
of the Heavenly Fathers name. ol
character. Next comes an acknowl
eventually His Kingdom will be estab
lished in the earth. The petition
'-Thy Kingdom come" not only mani
! fests faith in Gods promise to estab
| lish Righteousness in the earth, but i
means that the suppliant is in hear
. sympathy with God and His right
eousness and out OF sympathy with thu
| reign OF Sin and Death.
| The next petition is, Thy will b.
| done on earth. Is 1t In done in Heav
en- This signifies full confidence il
Gods promise that His Kingdom vii
not be a failure@that Satan will b
bound. that the reign of Sin and Deatl
viii end; that the light Of the knowl
edge Of the glory OF God viii I'LL thl