Evening star., 1923-02-10

Humanity reveals its heart hunger
after God in its prayer life. The deep
est impulse OF the soul may be neg
lected by men under ordinary circum-
stances. but when they face trials
and periods Of great stress. II is nat
ural for them to pray. Fosdick has
pointed out that "in the most skep-
tical man or generation prayer is al
days underground, waiting" He cites
the fact that Buddhism, a religion
theoretically without God, ought
logically to exclude prayer: but in
countries where Buddhism is domi-
nant. prayer Is present. Confusius, a
good deal OF an agnostic. urged his
disciples not to have much TO do with
the gods; and today Confucius Is him
self a god and millions worship him.
riers 60 down" Sabatier's statement
that men were incurably religious
is confirmed by the universal practice
of men Of all ages to pray to pow
er not ourselves"
Prayer has been questioned in mod
ern times through the predomina nee
Of one OF two ideas. First, science,
(which has reduced all knowledge to
laws which regulate the universe.
While In the physical world events
occur in necessary succession. man
is spirit. who dwells In a physical
body. His spiritual life is regulated
by spiritual law that provides for his
obtaining spiritual strength through
prayer. 1t fills the spirit with the
power OF God. II is the most direct
of all helps in the sustaining and de-
velopment of ones spiritual life. Il
is rs scientific to pray as 1t is to eat
!! 1t does for the spirit what bread does
for the body. The other idea that
has weakened mems faith in prayer
is the fact that they have been over
whelmed by Gods greatness. They
question whether SO insignificant be-
ing as man could change Gods will
Tor program. Clarke has we'll said that
"if God were notEa free personal be-
ing. answer to prayer would OF course
be impossible; but II He is free
spirit. there is no reason why lie
may not grant human requests II lie
has suggested that prayer puts fore.
es at the disposal Of God to be APP
piled by Him to definate tasks. Pray
er does not change the will OF God
but 1t enables God to change the
Wills Of men. Prayer does not per-
to bring to bear on men for persaad-
ing them. All prayer is directed to
Him. and the putting forth OF prayer
energy releases forces which God can
and does uso TO accomplish definite
and practical ends" Jesus met Sim
liar discouragements to prayer in the
parallels Of the lesson.
Our Lord taught men to pray by
precept and practice. He placed be-
fore His disciples the privilege, prin-
ciples and power of prayer. He COM
menced His instruction In the
science Of prayer by. His revelation
Of God. as Father. which Is the key
that opens up all the treasures and
power in heaven and on earth to all
who would commune with God. His
own owl life iife revealed that prayer was
communication with God unbroken
through q life OF interce ssiorl. II
any one neglects his privilege Of
communion with the Father he outs
eT his soIrse snS OF supply Of spiritual
pray they will weaken their spirit
ual vitality and power. Prayer is
absolutely essential to the spiritual
life.
Jesus sought to meet the tendency
to neglect mans highest privilege.
He recognized that 1t would overtake
His followers because of the delay
in HIS return, would weaken their
faith in the triumph CT the right and
tend to weaken their spiritual life.
and also have a tendency to make
their prayer life spasmodic and in
efficient. Doubt paralyzes commun-
lon with our Father. There Is no
more deadening force than to seek Di-
vine help through prayer without
faith that God has the power and
Willingness to give all who ask of
Him.
ITO say my prayers is not 70 pray,
Unless I mean the words say"
The Master sought to meet the
dicCnI1raOan1anf4 Nj cnnrprnfnO NY or
by speaking "a parable unto them to
tho end that men ought always to
pray and not to faint" 1t outlined
the conditions of prevailing prayer.
The orux OF the parable Of the un-
just and the importunate widow Is
found in the spirit of the woman.
Her resolute .persistency illustrated
and knocking that Jesus commend Ell
and commanded. and which has the
promise Of such certain answers"