The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-07-04
LESSON FOR JULY Fl
PRAYING TO GOD.

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PRIMARY MEMORY NERSE-Jehovah
In nigh unto all them that call upon him.
Psalms 1878.
STORY Observation-Disclosures ii.23-g5.
Acts i2i-i2
INTERMEDIATES. SENIOR AND
ADULT TOPIC-why and how to pray
and the results.
Prayer ought 90 be matter Of great
concern 10 every believer (Psalms 1i5:
1S).
Prayer Is matter but little under
stood by Christians: In fact. only as
divine aid Is given can We really pray.
The range Of prayer Is from the
depths of the soul to the very
thoughts Of God. There was some
thing about the praying Of Jesus that
NO impressed the disciples that they
requested him 20 teach them 10 pray
duke II ~. We nowhere read Of
them asking him 10 teach them how
60 preach. Praying is more important
thar preaching. No one Is nj TO teach
or preach who does not know how TO
pray May each one enroll at once
I'm the school Of prayer with Christ as
our teacher. lie IL most willing and
capable teacher. In response 20 the
disciples request he outlines the fol-
lowing principles Of prayer:
I. The Right Relationship Of the One
Praying duke II: ~.
1. Fillnl-"Father."
In order TO pray TO God. the sup
plant must be child OF God. God
is a father: his gifts and blessings are
for his children. This relationship
can only be entered into through re-
generation. Not all men have n right
Go say. "Our Father" when address
ing God. Only those who are children
of God by faith I'm Jesus Christ can
so address him. II Is not only profess
ing 10 be children but living like Gods
children. Children have rights and
privileges which are denied TO others.
2. Fratenal-"Our Father"
God has more than one child. His
children are bound up together In ma
ture and interests. Even In our Sc
cret prayer we should address him as
Our Father which Is a recognition OF
the interests OF others, alongside OF
ours.
u. The Right Attitude In Prayer
(Dnke IL p.
/. Reverent alteration.
As children We have certain priv
ileges. and yet holy reverence becomes
us. We should hallow his name; we
should adore him as the eternal God.
2 Loyalty.
When praying to God we should
come with the spirit Of loyalty which
cries out Thy kingdom come"
3. Submisslon-"Thy will be done"
We should have no will of our own
regarding the rule OF God. We should
let him direct us In all things.
~. The Right Spirit luke IL :3-s)
I. Dependent Faith-"Give us our
daily bread" ". ~.
We should realize that not only
what we have, but life itself Is ours
20 enjoy because of him. and that he
is able 10 do for us exceedingly album
dainty above all that We ask or think.
2. Penitence AMI Love-"Forgive us
our debts" ". 81.
We should come to him realizing
that we have sinned. and cry unto him
for forgiveness. our hearts should
be so filed with love for others that
we will forgive those who sinned
against us as God Is willing to for
give us.
3. Holiness and Cautlon-"Lead us
not into temptation" ". ~.
Because we are Gods children and
realizing the depravity of our natures,
and the consequent tendency 10 prac-
tice that which dlspleases him. we
should shrink from that which. II In
dulged In. would dishonor him.
4. microscopy wv. 3, %.
The man who asked for bread did
not ask for himself. but for a friend.
Prayer which pleases God Is unselhsh
In its requests.
o. Perseverance wv. T. 81.
Prayer which pleases God and gets
results is importunate. perseyeres UNI
till the object Is achieved.
~. Encouragement to Pray Luke
IL :J-12).
/. Gods promise wv. q, 10Y.
True prayer cannot fail of an an
swer because God definitely promises
that every one that asketh receiveth,
he that seeketh fndeth, and TO him
that knocketh II shall be opened.
2. The example of an earthly ia
Their wv. ll-l3).
No father viii give a stone 20 his
son who asketh for bread, or a serpent
/, instead of fish, nor a scorpion In
stead Of an egg God il infinitely
more willing 10 answer the prayers
Of his children than earthly parents
IRE 20 give good gifts to their chill
dren.
v. The True Goal Of All Prayer
Uuke IL :1O.
Gods gift Is himself In the person
of his Holy Spirit. All those who
practice the principles which Jesus
taught In this model prayer shall be
blessed with the gift OF the Holy spir-
Al Gods host off "a man