Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1915-10-28

land of their cap.
tivity to their beloved Palestine. but
they we're not prospecting very well
since their return. Some of them on
a visit to Persia had been telling him
about 1t. They were in great afflic.
ton they said, and in great reproach
from their enemies round about. The
walls of Jerusalem had never been re.
paired since they had been burned
down by Nebuchadnezzar $50 years
before. and the result was they had
no protection against assault.
Man Deeply Affected.
This deeply affected Nehemiah. SO
that he sat down and actually wept.
When patriotism moves US to weep
for our country it looks like the real
thing, especially when 1t is followed
by something else as it was here.
The weeping was accompanied by
fasting also, so different from the
modern way Of showing patriotism,
which not infrequently takes the form
of a banquet with speeches. This fast.
ing lasted for days, he must have been
alone in it; but at length 1t came to a
head in prayer. Oh, II our statesmen,
and politicians and reformers only
knew the secret! How much more
they could accomplish at the Throne
Of Grace than by legislation, and con.
ferences, and harangues, and newspa.
per articles.
A Wonderful Prayer.
1t was a wonderful prayer this.
First, 1t was so unselfish. He was not
praying for himself but for people.
who, for the most part, he did not
know and had never seen. They were
his countrymen, that was all, and they
were in sore need. How much do we
the mountain whites. or the detected
Indians on our western plains. or our
dependents in the Philippines? What
real interest have we in either their
material or spiritual condition?
Second, it was such a humble
prayer. Somehow or ether he felt a
sense Of personal responsibility for
the condition Of his countrymen afar
off though they were. He confessed
to sin in the premises, and included
his fathers house. in his confession.
If he and his ancestors had acted diff.
ferently things would not have been
as they were. What do we know of
that?
Third, the prayer was helpful new
ertheless. Hopeful, because he had a
strong promise of God to rest upon.
Remember thy word" he said, and
then he quoted that word. Can you
do that? You must know the prom.
Uses to be able to do it, and you know
the promiser also. How much do you
search Gods word to discover its
for yourself or others, and
how much do you exercise yourself to
bring them down from heaven for life
on earth? Nehemiah just agreed with
God about this matter. All! that is
power. Read the chapter for yourself
and see how he did it.
Fourth, the prayer was very def
mite. He didn't go round Robin Hoods
barn as the saying is. He didn't mouth
out a lot of fine phrases or pious moth
ings. He told God just what he want.
ed and when he wanted 1t, If it would
please him to give it. He was going
to stand before the king on a certain
day In his capacity as cup.bearer, and
that would be a good time to ask a
70 ~ ~ thn Gtnn IIn ttaa ryOsn- A.
ask him that he might be commits.
as governor of jerusalem to 60
up there and build the walls and de-
his people out Of their affection.
The king must be disposed to grant
the request, and he asked God so to
dispose him. Why do not the rest of
us cultivate that simplicity and di.
rectness? How interesting 1t would
make both our private and public de-
votions. and how it would enhance
Gods glory as we thus came to look
for answers to what we asked.
Fifth, the prayer was successful. of
course. at pleased the king to send
me-" says he, "and l set him a time "
The God Of Nehemiah still lives and
nothing is too hard for him. The prom.
Ise in Philippians reads: BE anx.
Ious for nothing; but in everything by
prayer and supplication, with thanks
let your requests be made
unto God" Our national
Thanksgiving day will soon be here
again, and IL sincerely we count our
rational blessings during the past
year, 1t will be the best preparation
that earnest prayer we so much
reed. Affections r upon us in GER
ain quarters and perils are ahead and
do we as a nation need God. |
Nay he stir us up to lay hold of him in
prayer. Some Of us cannot fight, but
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