Middletown transcript., 1918-07-20
LESSON FOR JULY Fl
PRAYING TO GOD.

may obtain mercy. and find grace to help
In time Of need.-Hebrews 4:16.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Luke u:5-13
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERS-PsaIms 37:4-5; Matthew 7:7-
II: II Corinthians 1859; James 4:3-s.
PRIMARY MEMORY vERSE-Jehovah
10 nigh unto all them that call upon him.
Psalms 1873.
STORY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 1925:
Acts 12:1-12
INTERMEDIATE. SENIOR AND
ADULT TOPIC-Why and how to pray
and the results.
Prayer ought to be a matter Of great
concern to every believer, for the Lord
is nigh unto all them that truly call
upon him; he will fulfil the desire Of
them that fear him; he will hear their
cry and will save them Psalms AS :18,
Prayer Is matter but little under
stood by Christians; in fact. onlys 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
so impressed the disciples that they
requested him to teach them to pray
duke 11:1). 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 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"
l. Filial-"Father."
In order to pray to God, the sup
plant must be q 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 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. It 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. Representatives 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.
2. Fraternal-"Our Father"
God has more than one child. His
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 ~.
l. Reverent alteration.
As children we have certain priv
|leges, 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" We
should not only receive him as the
Lord of our lives, but should delicate
our lives to the bringing in the rule
# God in the earth.
8. enthusiastically will be DONE"
We should have no will of our own |
the rule Of God. We should |
ct him direct US in all things.
III. TIE Right Spirit duke II :3-8)
. 1. Dependent Faith-"Give US our
laily bread" ". 81.
We should realize that not only |
what we have, but life itself Is ours
% enjoy because of him, and that he
S able to do for us exceedingly abun-
lantly above all that we ask or think.
2. Penitence and LOve-"FOrgive us
'ur debts" ". 81.
We should come to him realizing
hat we have sinned, and cry unto him
or forgiveness. Our hearts should
,e so filled with love for others that
ve will forgive those who sinned
lgainst us as God is willing to for
i've us.
3. Holiness and Caution-"Lead us
lot into temptation" ". ~.
Because we are Gods children and
the depravity Of our natures.
nd the consequent tendency to prac-
ice that which displeases him, we
hould shrink from that which. If in
ulged in, would dishonor him, and
arnestly cry unto him to lead us not
nto the place where we would likely
all.
4. microscopy wv. 5, 81.
The man who asked for bread did
ot ask for himself, but for friend.
'rayer which pleases God is unselfish
4 its requests. It takes in the needs
all those in need, rather than those
f the one prayer. Doubtless he would
ave gone hungry all the night for
imself without asking for bread, but
yas willing to Inconvenience his
riend for the sake of another friend.
s. Perseverance wv. z, 81. +
Though his friend refused at first
nd offered excuse, because he would
OF take no for an answer, he arose
rom his bed and give him as many as
Z needed. Prayer which pleases God
nd gets results is importunate, perse-
eres until the object is achieved.
re to give good gifts to their children.
w. Encouragement to Pray luke
| :9-12).
1 Gods nromiSp WV 10Y ,