McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1918-07-19
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUND1YSC[lOOL
LESSON
(By REV. p. b. FITZWATER, d. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright, 1918. Western Newspaper
Union.)
LESSON FOR JULY Fl
PRAYING TO GOD.

DEVOTIONAL READING-Luke 1l:5-13.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERS Psalms 37:4-5; Matthew IL
IL; II Corinthians 1859; James 4:3-S.
PRIMARY MEMORY VERSE-Jehovah
Is nigh unto all them that call upon him.
Psalms 145:1S.
STORY Matthew 14:23-25;
Acts 2:1-12.
INTERMEDIATE, SENIOR AND
ADULT TOPIC-Why and how to pray
and the results.
Prayer ought to be q 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; lie will hear their
cry and will save them psalms 145 Is.
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
so impressed the disciples that they
requested him to teach them to pray
Uuke lid. 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 11:2).
This relationship is set forth in the
words sour Father
l. Filial-"Father.'
In order to pray to God, the sup
plant must be child of God. God
is 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, 1t 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
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 recognition of
the interests of others, alongside Of
ours.
u. The Right Attitude In Prayer
duke IL ~.
/. Reverent alteration.
AS children we have certain priv
ileges, and yet holy reverence becomes
MS. We should hallow his name; we
should adore him as the eternal God.
g 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
of God in the earth.
3. Submission--"Th 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 1888
l. Dependent Faith-"Give us our
daily bread" ". 81.
We should realize that not only
what we have, but life itself is oryT
to enjoy because of him, and that he
Is able to do for us exceedingly album
dainty above all that We ask or think.
2. Penitence and Love-"Forgiye us
our debts ". %.
We should come to him realizing
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 slnned
against us as God is willing to for
give us.
3. Holiness and Caution-"Lead us
not into temptation" ". A..
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
dulged in, would dishonor him, and
earnestly cry unto him to lead us not
into the place where we would likely
fall.
4. microscopy wv. 8, 81.
The man who asked for bread did
not ask for himself. but for friend.
Prayer which pleases God is unselfish
In its requests. 1t takes in the needs
of all those in need, rather than those
Of the one prayer. Doubtless he would
have gone hungry all the night for
himself without asking for sread, but
was willing to inconvenience his
friend for the sake Of another friend.
5. Perseverance wv. Z, -.
Though his friend refused at first
and offered excuse, because he would
not take no for an answer. he arose
from his bed and give him as many as
he needed. Prayer which pleases God
and gets results is importunate. perse-
veres until the object is achieved.
are to give good gifts to their children.
w, Encouragement to Pray Uuke
IL :9-12).
/. Gods promise ivy. Q, 10).
True prayer cannot full of an an