The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-03-09


Master, come to the Master and say,
Lord, teach US to pray" They had
the law of Moses as their guide, they
were versed in the commands that God
had given to Moses on Mt Sinai, and
yet we are led to believe that they did
not know how to pray. 1t is thus that
we account for the GOODNESS, the haughti-
ness, of the Jews at this time. The
Pharisees thought that when they had
kept the letter of the Mosaic law they
fulfilled the whole law of God concern
ing themselves.
when the disciples miss in their own
hearts and lives that which they see in
the happiness of the Master as He
speaks with God they long for that
something which they have never known
and one of them says, Lord teach US
to pray" Then Christ gives that
beautiful petition, that perfect prayer,
the Lords Prayer. In that prayer,
short and simple as it is, is the embodi-
ment of every form of petition every
request that the soul need make to God.
And it is right for those who wish to
pray well to develop their petitions on
the basis of this perfect prayer.
1--WE find in the Gospel an example of
proper and improper prayer. We see
the Pharisee in all his pride and false
dignity and egotism standing as a wor-
shipper in the temple. A little way off
we see the publican who realizes in his
heart that he is great sinner, who
feels unworthy to come to God in
prayer, Both, no doubt, believe that
they are true worshippers. At least we
are led to believe that the Pharisee
feels so concerning his worship. We
see him standing in all his self-righteous-
ness before his Almighty Maker, con-
demning the sinfulness of poor wor-
Shipping nelghbor as he says. Lord l
thank Thee that am not as other men
are, even as this publican"
I'm other words the Pharisee thanks
God that his life is perfect, that he has
kept the law; thanks his God that he is
better than his fellowmen and that he
can come before men as an example of
right living.
I'VE see the other man, standing
worshiplng with great passionate cry
for mercy and with declaration of his
sinfulness.
God be merciful to me a sinner. I"
Christ tells US that this publican, ac-
knowIedging his sin, pleading for mercy,
went out of the house of God justified,
because there was in his heart true re-
pentance. He does not say that the
Pharisee in his pride and haughtiness
was justified. That attitude was con-
demned by the Son of Man.
And so the publican has given to the
world an example of prayer, for he was
a sinner, and all men are sinners.
eve find all through the New Tesla
ment that the followers of Christ lived
in constant condition of communion
with God. 1t was necessary for them
to do so to maintain a right relationship
with Him.
1T is impossible for child to know
the wishes of its parents or to under
stand and appreciate their love unless
that child remains in the presence of
its parents.
God has given US his commands in
the law. He has given US His plan of
Salvation, and has shown US His great
love IN the Gospel, but it is essential
that we maintain an inner personal re-
lation with HIM by prayer. Somewhere
in mans heart there should be an in
cessant, silent petition to God for
guidance and direction in our daily liv-
ing. Without that we will do many
things that we have been forbidden TO
do, Without that we cannot enjoy
that deeper satisfaction and happiness
that is the reward of the true worshiper
There is so much that we should
pray for. The great conflict between
the forces of good and evil keep US in
constant danger. When we remember
that our natures are prone to follow the
lusts Of the flesh and the appetites of
the passions, we see the necessity of a
greater sustaining power. The man
who tries to fight the battles of life
alone, the man who faces the forces of
evil without the help of Almighty God
is fighting a losing fight. God permits
man to be tempted of Satan and Satan
is stronger than man. When man tries
to outwit the devil, alone, he will soon
find himself in maze of compromise
from which he is unable to extricate
himself without loss of self respect and
honor.
But God has promised His aid to
every one that will seek His aid when
temptation and the forces of evil try to
take him captive. And in this age of
greed. of supreme activity, when man
is called upon to decide great and i'm
portant questions without notice, man
needs some power that will steady and