The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 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 11:5-19,
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERs-Psalms 37:4-5; Matthew TT
II; II Corinthians 1883; James 4:3-8.
M MEMORY VERSE-Jehovah
is nigh unto all them that call upon him.
Psalms las is.
STORY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. n:28-25;
Acts 12:1-12.
INTERMEDIATE. SENIOR AND
dull TOPIC-Why and how to pray
and the results.
Prayer ought to be a matter Of great
concern to every believer (Psalms 49,:
1S).
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
thing about the praying Of Jesus that
so impressed the disciples that they
requested him to teach them to pray
duke 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
vi pANdNh II hONS Nv AhOW HhOW W
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-
lowing principles of prayer:
l.. The Right Relationship of the One
Praying duke II :2).
/, Filial-"Father.S
In order to pray to God, the sup
plant must be a 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 q 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. 1t is not only profess
ing to be children but living like Gods
children. Children have rights n
privileges which are denied to others.
2. 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
OuL HuLltIf hhlNA j Il AONOShALAOh W
the interests of others, alongside of
ours.
II. The Right Attitude in Prayer
duke II :2).
/. 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 shoulG
come with the spirit of loyalty which
cries out 'Thy kingdom come"
8. 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.
III. The Right Spirit duke II :3-S)
L. Dependent Faith-"Give us our
daily bread" ". 81.
We should realize that not only
what we have, but life itself is ours
to enjoy because of him, I'M that he
is able to do for us exceedingly abun-,
dainty above all that we ask or think,
2. Penitence and Love-"Forgive US
our debts" ". 81.
VIC ohOulh NOLlC W hAAh lCdil1lhS
that we have sinned, and 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. -
g.. Holiness and Caution-"Lead US
not into temptation" ". A..
Because we are Gods children ana
realizing the depravity of our natures,
and the consequent tendency to prac-
tice that which displeases him, we
should shrink from that which, IL in
dulged in, would dishonor him.
4. microscopy wv. 5, 81.
The nan who asked for bread did
not ask for himself, but for a friend.
Prayer which pleases God is unselhsh
in its requests.
5. Perseverance wv. z, 81.
Prayer which pleases God and gets
results is i~mportunate, perseveres IN
till the object is achieved.
". Encouragement to Pray duke
IL :9-12).
1. Gods promise wv. o, 10).
True prayer cannot fail OF an an
swer, because God definitely promises
that every enc 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. lib.
No father will give q stone to his
son who asketh for bread, or q serpent
instead of a fish, nor a scorpion I'M
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
dren.
v. Tho True Goal of All Prayer
CLuke IL :13).