Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-25
Sunday School Lesson
BY
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

their faith in Jesus Christ for the pur-
pose of saving them and fitting them
for His service. We have, therefore
grounds for continuing earnestly in oul
prayers for the development of Christ's
church and the advancement Of His
kingdom. If we think that He is de-
laying His answers to our prayers. we
need to remember that He knows what
is best for us and in eternity We may
answered our requests in a way that
appeared good to Him.
Jesus warned us Of the dangerous
periods, when, Notwithstanding His
promises of protection and of power
men would be unfaithful and not con-
tinue to earnestly contend for the
faith. He warned us of the coming OF
time of apoStaSy and wretched sur
render to all that Is antagonistic to
ones spiritual life. In fact, Jesus
raised the question as to whether He
would find faith on the earth when the
time came for Him to return. 1t Is
during such trying and testing period
that Gods people are to "hold fast" by
prayer and faith until He comes, tax
ing heed lest their hearts become over
charged with surfeiting, drunkenness
and the cares of this life, and SO that
day come upon us" unawares. 1t will
not find us unprepared for His return
if we pray constantly and earnestly
without ceasing in our efforts to keep
our spiritual fellowship with God al
ways open and active.
Exercise of Prayer.
The parable of the pharisee and the
publican may not have been delivered
at the same time as the parable con-
corning the importunate widow and the
unjust judge. It is closely related to
the message of prayer and suggests an
other phase of prayer. Both characters
are drawn with the pen Of q skilled
artist so that they stand out clearly
before us. Both men went into the
temple to pray. The phariSee was con-
ceited and felt his own Importance.
Five times we observe his reference to
himself. HE congratulated himself
that he was better than the rest of
men, and independent Of grace; and
the poor outcast publican" This proud,
Self-righteouS soul had poiSe of self
satisfaction when he stood praying in
the temple, which he left without
knowing that God had condemned him,
even though he had exercised the form
of prayer, that shut out thoughts Of
Gods grace and the needs Of his
fellowmen.
The publican's prayer is a model for
every sinner who approaches God with
the desire to secure pardon and SAL
walton. He knew that he was sinner
and that he needed the mercy Of God
to be saved. He went, like David of
old, direct to Jehovah, the fountain
head of all mercy and salvation, cry
ing out, God, be merciful to me. o
sinner" The man who was thoroughly
despised by his countrymen and hunb-
ly sought forgiveness, went out Of the
temple justified and saved, rather than
the phartSee, "for every one that
eXalteth himself shall be abased and
he that humbleth himself shall be
exalted" We are warned by this
parable against the public exhibition
of religion that fails to reveal the true
type Of Christianity. We know the
type of worship that Jesus approves
and should seek to make our religious
exercise OF prayer and worship In ac-
cordance with His model.
In this chapter Moore has pointed
out that we find exhibited the several
traits Of prayer; its perseverance by the
widow. its humility by the publican, its
receptivity by the children brought to
Jesus; its unselfshness by Peter, who
gave UP all for Christ, in contrast with
the rich young ruler who refused to
do 50; and the faith by the blind beg
gar who was healed at Jericho" We
should be encouraged by our study to
have confidence in Gods willingness
to aid all who approach Him in the
Masters name free from any conf
dence in themselves