The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-01-27
Confronting Civilizations Crisis
"a New Year Appeal by Laymen fc


"a New Year Appeal by Laymen for
Prayer
These are troubled times. Every
thoughtful person faces the new year
with deep concern. The world out
look is deemed gravest by those who
best know international conditions.
Our own favored America fronts many
sided problems that will tax our every
resource. We are surely in the midst
of days of destiny
In the realm of individual life the
times are testing our soul-stuff. Bust
ness men are carrying burdens that
fairly break hearts. Many working
men and their families are already
experiencing the bitter pinch of real
want. The weight of the worlds woe
is pressing heavily upon us all HUI
man spirits everywhere are hungry for
comfort and guidance.
What shall we do about 1t all? For
do something we must: the hour is too
critical for drifting
The laymen who sign and issue this
paper so do because of deep convic-
ton that only by spiritual forces may
our civilization be saved from the I'M
precedented perils that beset it. The
only way out is the way up.
Holding no ecclesiastical positions,
and representing, quite unofficially.
various branches of the Christian
| church, we take this unusual step of
appealing directly, through the public
press to men and women of all faiths,
who believe In an Omnipotent God and
In the power Of prayer, to join us in
common and concerted and continuous
exercise of intercession, to the end
that humanity everywhere, torn as 1t
is by dissension, and suffering many
kinds of i'll effects of the World War,
may turn to the patient Father in
heaven for new motives and guidance
and succor.
Our world will never get right with
itself until it gets right with God. Only
spiritual remedies can cure the pres
ent ills of mankind.
Therefore we call upon all who be-
lieve that the living God hears and
answers prayer to offer daily petitions
in behalf of our troubled world-with
all its international strife and jealous
les and self-seeking; with its indus
trial unrest, its social and it's political
unrest-that the Lord Almighty may
suffuse the hearts Of all people every
where with a consuming desire to seek
first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness. Then all other things
needful may be added unto us, as
promised by our Lord Jesus Christ.
We crave for ourselves and for our
time revival of the sense of the real
ity of God, and of our dependence upon
him. and OF spirit of loyalty to him.
Because of the extraordinary part
he must take in the affairs Of our ma
ton and of the world at this most diff
flcult time, we also ask that daily
prayer be made for the President
elect of the United States, that he
may be illumined and sustained for
his trying tasks by the very power of
the Highest
AS says the Apostle:
81 exhort, therefore, first of all, that
supplications, prayers, intercessions,
thanksgivings be made for all men !;
for kings and all that are in high
place; that we may lead tranquil and
quiet life in all godliness and grav-
ity."
Nor can we forget our stricken
4 President. for whom we would also
tenderly pray.
BY way of the throne of prayer
answering God, even the least Of us
may WELD a power for patriotism and
for universal good will beyond all HUI
man calculation.
Pray for my soul. More things are
wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Where
fore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and
day
For what are men better than sheep or
goats
That nourish a blind life within the
brain.
II. knowing God, they lift not hands
of prayer
Both for themselves and those who
call them friend?
For so the whole round earth Is every
i way
Bound by golden chains about the feet
i of God.
Il So we entreat all spiritually minded
persons. in whatever ways and at
whatever times individual judgment
may suggest, to engage, privately or
publicly, in daily prayer that the very
gravity of present world conditions
may drive US all to the Eternal God
who Is our refuge, and who is the only
Light In our darkness. In him we
shall find peace and good WILL and
power for the task Of remaking the
world.
"All things whatever ye shall ask
in prayer, believing, we shall receive.