The Brinkley argus., 1919-06-13
LESSON FOR JUNE IS
PRAYER.

LESSON TEXTS-Matt. 6:o-iS, Luxe io' l-H
 GOLDEN TExT-Be careful for noth- ing; but in everything by prayer and sup plication with thank ksgiving let your re quests be made known unto God.-Phil. 4:6.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Gen. 1923 33, Ex. 32:31, g: Matt 26:30-46; Luke II: l-l3; John 17:l-26: l Thess. 5:17; James D. 16-lS
 PRIMARY ToPIc-Talking With the Heavenly Father.
 JUNIOR TOPIC-Jesus Teaches How tc Pray.
 INTERMEDIATE ToPIC-Prayer . Privilege and a Duty
 SENIOR AND ADULT TOP1C-The Christian Conception of Prayer.
 [. The Proper Motive in Prayer tMatt. 6:5-S).
 The righteousness which counts with God is doing right deeds with the right motive. Righteous as the act of praying Is 1t may be an abomina- ton unto God:
 l. If it be to be seen and heard of men (v 3. Much of the public pray ing is false-when there is more thought of what the people think than of what God thinks In praying the individual is dealing with God. there fore if he be engaged in it to attract mems attention it is blasphemous. It is not wrong to pray on the street cor ner and in the synagOgues; that which is condemned is doing it to be seen of men.
 2 If there be the use of vain repe- titions (v. D. This does not mean that we should ask but once, for we have examples of Christ and of Paul pray ing three times for the same thing (Matt. 25; 39-46; II Cor. 12:7-8), but meaningless repetitions as done by the heather. The reason assigned is that "your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. (v. S). God is pleased with true prayer (v. 6). We should have real desire for fellowship with God. Since prayer is a transaction of the soul with God. we should go to our inner chamber, where only God can hear, and there commune with him.
 IT. The Model Prayer (Matt. 6:9-15)
 l. Right relationship Our Father. i" Only those who have become children of God by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3 :26) can pray alright.
 2. Right attitude. "Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come" When we realize that we have been delivered from the power of darkness and trans lated into the kingdom of his dear Son (Col. l:1s) by being made the chil- dren of God we cannot help pouring out our souls to hlm h gratitnde and praise. longing for the coming of his kingdom.
 8. Right spirit (1) That of trust which looks to him for daily bread. (2) That of love which results in the forgiveness of others God VIII not listen to the prayef of the one who hAf ar unforgiving spirit (3) That of holiness which moves us to pray not to he led in temptation, and longs to be delivered from the evil one.
 4. The ascription of praise. "Thine is the kingdom. the power. and the glory forever"
 III. persistency in Prayer Nuke le 1S).
 The teaching of this parable is that men ought always to pray and not to faint (v. D. The context shows that praying should be the business of the church while the Lord is absent. Hav- ing referred to the coming of the Lord at the close of the preceding chapter he uses this parable to enforce the ob- ligation of the church under the fig ure of a widow crying day and night unto God. Though the unjust judge had neither fear of God nor regard for man he avenged her of her ene- mics. Much more, then. will the ten der loving Father, God. avenge his own elect (v. D. God is pleased with those who consistently pray, or. as popularly expressed. pray through"
 W. The Proper Altitude In Prayer Huke 1s:9-1H.
 This is brought out in striking con trast by two men praying The Phari- sees sense of self practically excluded the consciousness of God. The poor publican had a most keen sense of God. and therefore sought his mercy The Pharisee presented personal ere. dentials. while the publican cast him. self upon Gods mercy. The publican was justified. while the Pharisee was rejected. Let us come into the pres ence of God with humility, for God is holy.