The Washington herald., 1922-08-19

promises of God and, in the repen-
tance of his people and their return
to God. found the condition on
which he could claim the fulfill
iient of Gods promises. His
prayer included the essential ele-
ments of prayer. viz. reverence.
contrition. faith and petition.
Christ Constant in Prayer.
Prayer. like a golden chord, runs
through the New Testament as we'll
as the Old.
Christ and His apostles were con-
slant in prayer; the Master indorsed
prayer by example and by precept.
Matthew records what must always
stand out as the greatest of prayers.
and we have also the PRAYER in
the garden of Gethsemane which
mas inspired one of the most beau
tiful Of the Bible pictures, and the
lrayer for His enemies uttered nm
the cross. Father. forgive them;
for they know not what they do"
which even yet will contribute TO-
ward the abolition of war.
The model prayer which millions
daily repeat says more in the same
number of words than was ever said
before or since.
begins with alteration, Our
rather which art in heaven, Hal
lowed be thy name" Then follows
the devout wish that must be the
ever present thought in every heart.
my kingdom come. They will be
zone In earth, as II is in heaven ="
rms wish, IL sincere. will be proven
oy enorts to promote Gods king
dom.
The third clause, Give us this
day our daily bread" is precious
because IT teaches that even our
physical wants are not beneath the
notice OF an Infinite God, and n is
an acknowledgment of dependence
as well as a request.
The Most DimcuIt Pettt,or.
And forgive US our debts, a, Wa
forgive our debtors" makes our an
peal for mercy to rest upon onr
Willingness to show to Others the
mercy which we claim for ourseIves
rhis has been characterized as
.ne most dimcult Of all the petit
tions that man is called upon to
make. 1t implies a nearer approach
TO perfection than is assumed else
where, and yet. more than anything
else. 1t is the distinguishing prin-
ciple OF Christ's creed. His religion
Is built upon a love that manifests
itself in forgiveness as in nothing
else-it removes impurities; IT is the
expression of the sixth beatitude,
blessed are the pure in heart: for
they shall see God"
Next comes. the plea for divine
guidance: And lead us not into
temptation. but deliver us from
evil" an acknowledgment of mans
proneness to sin and of his con-
stant need of divine guidance and
direction.
The prayer concludes with an ex-
preston of humility-an ascription
of kingdom. power, and glory to
the Heavenly Father.
In few brief words Christ IN
cluded all that concerns us and ali
that concerns others everywhere
and always. 1t 10 beyond the
power Of man to estimate the far
reaching effect Of this short prayer.
1t has inspired millions with devo-
tion. reverence. and humality, with
faith. hope and love.
Prayers Are Still Answered..
Nehemiahs prayer was answered.
as were the prayers recorded in
both the Old and the New Testa.
ment; and prayers are answered
today. Sometimes our prayers are
in the reconciliation Of
our own hearts to that against
which they rebefied. As DR.. Cuyler
expresses II:
The pull of our prayer may not
move the everlasting throne. but.
like the pull on q line from the
bow of q boat. 1t may draw US into
closer fellowship with God and
fuller harmony with His wise and
holy will"