Evening journal., 1916-01-08

We come now to the conditions es-
sential for effective prayer. The first
we would note is praying in secret.
When thou prayest. enter into thine
inner chamber Prayer is not merely
monologue, it is dialogue. Il Is
, not simply we speaking with God.
hut also God speaking TO US. And il
certainly is as important that we
listen 70 Him as il is that He listen
TO us. You note throughout the scrip
lures when they speak OF Jesus pray
ing, almost always il is stated that
lie went apart, alone. In the desert.
on the mountain side OF in the wilder
ness
When We pray. Christ bids us shut
the door. The door shuts out the
world and its distractions. and closes
us alone with God Just as when you
so to the long distance telephone for
all especially important conversation.
you shut the door of the little booth
that not word may be lost. Let us
keep the telephone idea in prayer. n
YOU can talk TO a friend a thousand
miles away and receive an answer. Is
IL to be accounted wonderful that
you can talk to and receive a response
from God? When you pray. the world
Is so apt TO creep in. even in the
hOliest moments. The old Shiny ser
pent OF self and sin with It's horrid
coils Is apt to thrust It's head in the
doorway and draw our thoughts away
from God. When thou praycst, shut
the door. Jesus says. Behold. | am
the door
In the school Of prayer that Christ
taught, while the Master would GER
tainly not disparage the Importance
Of praise and thanksgiving. yet with
Him prayer was primarily a matter OF
asking and receiving. lie insisted
upon the importance Of prayer for
definite things. There Is no real pc
tition unless il is accompanied by an
earnest. intense desire We are not
heard for our much speaking Too
much praying is vague and abstract.
II hunter could not expect TO bring
down game without a clear. definite.
steady aim. neither should soul hope
for spiritual results without being
steadfast and explicit in his petition.
righteousness Is another essential
for effective prayer. There arc many
; that quote the promise Gods arm Is
l not shortened that Il cannot save. and
then point TO their unanswered re-
quest as evidence that the promise
! is untrue. But they cease their quo
tation too soon. The next verse pro-
l. eeods to say. Your iniQuities have
I separated You and your God II is
y a principle IN law that he that re-
{ ceives equity must do equity man
q must come into court with clear
{ hands. Thus il is in appealing to the
a High Court OF Heaven. Who shal
n ascend unto the hill Of the Lord. oi
who shall stand in His holy place
{ lie that hath clean hands and a pur,
heart The fervent prayers OF 4
n righteous man availeth much
e In the next place a forgiving spiri
II Is necessary. in a successful petition
G Let me continue TO repeat tlTat moth
r ing so completely clogs the wheel
I and paralyzes the power OF prayer a
y unforgiveness. DO you find Il Difficult
Is TO show cOncilatory spirit TO thos
you feel have wronged you? Re
is member this is but trihe in compar
D. ison with how deeply we hay
re wronged and neglected God. lie ha
A. vastly more 10 forgive us for than "
IN have TO forgive others.
Is Furthermore In considering IN
g. important factors We must not omi
D. that essential element, Faith Scien
l. lists tell us that three hundred mile
p above the earth IL Is absolutely dari
e AT that point there Is no atmcspher
ID to furnish reflection or refraction 70
{, the rays Of light So il is that fait
10 creates the atmosphere throug
r, which the power of God can work
=: Even Christ Himself with His divin
Is power was dependent upon this Qual
10 ity No mighty works could He d
q in some places because Of unbeliei
Faith is at the basis OF all effectiv
h enterprise. II is the foundation O
u commerce. OF education. OF agricul
J. ture. From the material standpOin
d every farmer must have faith in Goo
" Faith in Gods sunshine. His soil an
"a His showers. Every time he put
N his seed in the ground IL is a nlateria
d prayer % Lord, give me a harvest
D. In simple words faith is confldentl
g to expect that what we ask for Is
Re be heard and granted.
rs u is interesting here 10 note ho'
he Jesus honors the faith not only {
ye the recipient of the blessing. out ais
1r the faith Of His friends. You wi
C. remember of the few who brougl
d the paralytic TO Jesus and in thei
earnestness tore away the roof
s. prepare a way. The gospel Say
+ iAnd seeing their faith Jesus heale
r. the man. We have an opportunity
" help prepare the conditions so this
e. there may be the proper environmer
&. through which Christ can work.
er "Of equal Importance in successfl
Ie- prayer is asking in accordance wit
is Gods will II the farmer plants hi
ne corn in midwinter no matter no
ne much faith he might have in pros
te pective harvest. his efforts would
sh useless since he violates the law {
pc seasons. son might ask his fathe
IN for a thousand dollars but his fatht
st knowing that he intended 10 spend
rt I'm dissipation refuses the deman
sh Another son may ask for ten thol
Of sand and get it FOR tho father know
hit the son wishes to invest in startin
e. an enterprise which has for Ion
a time been upon the fathers hear
in There are some petitions that we ca
ne always be sure are IN accOrdanS
IS with Gods will. One is for wisdor
as Another for the Holy Spirit. And
te third that God may send laborers I'M
ul the harvest field. Yet are We willir
to help answer It?
ed "Still again II is essential that v
C. abide in Christ. n our thoughts. ol
MS purposes and affections are in ha
sll mony with His. our prayers will
rs His prayers. And closely connects