Cleveland County herald., 1918-07-18
LESSON FOR JULY Il
PRAYING TO GOD.


h:1-13.
GOLDEN TEXT-Let us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy. and find grace to help
In time of need.-Hebrews 4:16.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Luke II :5-13
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
Recommendations BIAS; Matthew TT
Ill II Corinthians 1883; James 4:3-S
PRIMARY MEMORY VERSE-Jehovah
Ia nigh unto all them that call upon him.
Psalms 1878
STORY Observation-Disclosures 14:23-25;
Acts e = Z:
INTERMEDIATE. SENIOR AND
ADULT TOPIC-Why and how to pray
and the results.
Prayer ought to be matter Of great
concern to every believer PSALMS 145:
I18).
Prayer Is a 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
khing about the praying of Jesus that
so impressed the disciples that they
requested him to teach them to pray
(Luke IL ~. We nowhere read of
them asking him to teach them how
TO preach. Praying is more important
than preaching. No one is fit to teach
or preach who does not know how to
pray. May each one enroll at once
In the school of prayer with Christ as
our teacher. He is a most willing and
capable teacher. In response to the
disciples request he outlines the fol-
t@rsvxo fx II So
I. The Right Relationship of the One
praying Uuke II :2).
1. Filiai-"Father"
In order to pray to God, the sup
plant must be a child of God. God
Us father his gifts and blessings are
for his children. This relationship
can only be entered into through re-
generation. Not all men have a right
Ito say, "Our Father" when address,
ing God. Only those who are children
of God by faith in Jesus Christ can
so address him. 1t is not only profess
ing to be children but living like Gods
children. Children have rights and
privileges which are denied to others.
2. Fraternal-"Our Father"
God has more than one child. His
children are bound up together in ma
Iture 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
,Guke II :2).
1. Reverent alteration.
AS children we have certain priv
dleges, 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"
g. Enthusiastically will be DONE"
We should have no will of our own
regarding the rule of God. We should
Yet him direct us in all things.
III. The Right Spirit duke II 1879
1. Dependent Faith-"Giye us our
daily bread" ". -.
We should realize that not only
what we have, but life itself is ours
Ito enjoy because of him, and that he
Us able to do for us exceedingly abun-
dainty above all that we ask or think.
2. Penitence AMI Love-"Forgiye us
our debts" ". 81.
We should come to him realizing
that we have sinned, aud cry unto him
for forgiveness. Our hearts should
be so filled with love for others that
we will forgive those who sinned
against us as God is willing to for
give us.
3. Holiness and Caution-'Iead us
mot into temptation" ". ~.
Because we are Gods children and
realizing the depravity of our natures,
and the consequent tendency to prac-
tice that which displeases him, we
should shrink from that which, If In
obliged in, would dishonor him.
4. microscopy wv. 5. 81.
The man who asked for bread did
mot ask for himself, but for a friend.
Prayer which pleases God is unselfish
in its requests.
s. Perseverance, CIV. 7, 81.
Prayer which pleases God and gets
results is importunate, perseveres I'M
till the object is achieved.
w. Encouragement to Pray uuke
III OPP.
/. Gods promise wv. 8, 10).
True prayer cannot fail of an an
Iswer, because God definitely promises
that every one that asketh receiveth,
he that seeketh findeth, and to him
that knocketh it shall be opened.
2. The example of an earthly ia
Their wv. 11-13).
No father will give stone to his
son who asketh for bread, or serpent
instead of a fish, nor a scorpion In
stead OF an egg. God IS infinitely
more willing to answer the prayers
of his children than earthly parents
are to give good gifts TO their chill
Idren.