Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-07-19
PRAYING TO GOD.

upon him; he will fulfil the desire Of
them that fear him; he will hear their
cry and will save them psalms 145 rs,
Prayer Is Il matter but little under
stood by Christians; In fact, only MS
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
so impressed the disciples that they
requested him to teach them to pray
duke ll:D. We nowhere read Of
them asking him to teach them how
TO preach. Praying is more important
than preaching. No one Is lit to teach
or preach who does not know how to
pray. May each one enroll at once
IN the school Of prayer with Christ N
our teacher. lie Is II most willing and
capable teacher, In response to the
disciples request he outlines the fol-
lowing principles OF prayer:
!. The Right Relationship Of the One
Praying duke II ~.
This relationship Is set forth In the
words our Father
|. fillal-"Father."
In order TO pray to God. the sup
plant must be Il child of God. God
is n father, his gifts and blessings are
for his children. This relationship
can only be entered into through re-
generation. Not all men have II right
to say, our Father" when address
ing God only those who are children
of God by faith In Jesus Christ can
so address him. II Is not only profess
ing to be children but living like Gods
children. Those who have Gods ma
ture will express that fact In their
manner of living Children have
rights and privileges which are de-
MED to others. Representative of the
highest courts of earth must abide the
time of formal entrance into the pres
ence of the president Of the United
States. while his children can come
freely In an informal way into his
/ presence.
.. Fraternal-"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.
II. The Right Attitude in Prayer
duke II: -.
|. 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.
whel, praying to God we should
come with the spirit Of loyalty which
cries out "Thy kingdom come We
should not only receive him rs the
Lord of our lives, hut should de icate
our lives to the bringing in the rule
of God in the earth.
2. Enthusiastically 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 OLuke II :3-S
pependent Faith--"Giye us our
daily bread" (y. -.
We should realize that not only
what we have, but life itself Is ours
70 enjoy because of him, and that he
is able TO do for us exceedingly album
dainty above all that we ask or think,
9. Penitence and Forgive us
our debts" ". %.
We should come to him realizing
TINT we have slnned. and cry unto him
!, for forgiveness. Our hearts should
be SO filed with love for others that
we will forgive those who sinned
, agnipst us MS God Is willing TO for
give us,
3. Holiness and Caution-"Lead US
not into temptation ". D.
, Recause we are Gods children ant
realizlng the depravity of our natures
and the consequent tendency to prnc
a tice that which displeases him. W.
should shrink from that which. If In
, Obliged in. would dishonor him, ant
, earnestly cry unto him to lead us no
into the place where we would likel.
fall.
4. microscopy wv. 3, 81.
I The man who asked for bread di'
: not ask for himself, but for friend
I Prayer which pleases God is unselfis
Q in its requests. II takes in the need
;, of al those in need, rather than thos
of the one prayer Doubtless he woul
u have gone hungry all the night 70
. himself without asking for bread hu
was willing To Inconvenience hi
friend for the sake of another friend.
:. Perseverance wv. Z. 81.
Though his friend refused at frs
and offered excuse, because he w0ul
not take no for an answer, he arcs
n. from his he'd and give him as many a
ID ne needed Prayer which pleases Go
ot and gets results is importunate, pers'
re yeres until the object is achieved.
to are to give good gifts to their children
s. ~. Encouragement to Pray LuE
u II :9-12).
IN l. Gods promise wv. 9, 10).
r. True prayer cannot fail of an al
# swer, because God definitely promise
y that every one that asketh received
at he that seeketh fndeth, and to hi
~ that knocketh It shall be opened.
2. The example Of nm earthly 4
Their tvv. 11-13).