Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-03-09

tivity to their beloved Palestine. but
they we're not prospecting very well
since their return. Some OF then on
q visit to Persia had been telling him
about 1t. They were in great afilic-
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 vas 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 it is followed
by something else as 1t was here.
The weeping vas accompanied by
fasting also. SO different from the
modern way of showing patriotism,
which not in%frequently takes the form
of a banquet with speeches. This fast.
ing lasted for days, he must have been
alone in It; but at length it came to a
head In prayer. Oh, if 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 O wonderful prayer this.
First, 1t was SO unselfsh. He al 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
ever pray for our southern negroes. or
the mountain whites, or the detected
Indians on western plains, or our
dependents in the Philippines? What
real interest have we in either their
material or spiritual condition?
Second, it vas such a humble
prayer. Somehow or other he felt a
ems 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.
II 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
treasures 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 notn.
ings. He told God just what he want.
ed and when he wanted it, II 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
favor Of the king. He was going to
ask him that he might be commits
stoned as governor of Jerusalem to 60
up there and build the walls and de-
liver his people out of their afiliction.
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 d..
r%ectness? 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
curse ut 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
Use in Philippians reads: BE anx.
ious for nothing; but in everything by
prayer and s%upplication. with thanks
giving. let your requests be made
known unto God" Our national
Thanksgiving day will soon be here
again, and II sincerely we count our
national blessings during the past
year. 1t will be the best preparation
for that earnest prayer we so much
need. Affections are upon us in Ger.
tain quarters and perils are ahead and
greatly do we as a nation need God.
May he stir us up to lay hold of him in
prayer. Some OF us cannot fight, but
who may not pray?