The Republican., 1941-11-20
PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING

PERMISSION
PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING
LESSON TEXT-Matthew 6:5.15; Ephe.
SLAMS 5:20; l Thessalonians Sigh
GOLDEN TEXT-Pray without ccasing. In
every thing give thanks.-I Thessalonians
5:H, Is.
Being one with Christ, the Chris
tian finds prayer to be as natural as
breathing. AS he walks with the
Master he talks with Him, praises
Him, thanks Him, makes his petit
tions and his needs known to Him.
We feel, however, like Christ's dis
ciples who asked Him to teach them
to pray (Luke lid.
l. Instruction in Prayer
Approaching the subject from the
negative viewpoint, Jesus told them
l. How Not to Pray (Matt. SIS, y.
Prayer, which is the highest privi-
lege of the Christian, is beset by
some deadly dangers.
a. No hypocritical performance
". 81. Some who wished to be
seen in prayer managed to be in
conspicuous place at the Jewish
hours of prayer (nine, twelve, and
three o'clock. There, before a
crowd, they put on a prayer "show"
for the benefit of the unlocking audi
ence. Such prayer is designed for
the ears of men and never reaches
God.
b. No vain repetition ". y. We
do not need to repeat our petitions.
God knows our need ". 81. When
repetition is the outpouring Of an
earnest and urgent heart it means
much, but that is different from
just repeating phrases.
2. How to Pray (Matt. 66, 8, "A,
IS; Eph 500; I Thess. 5:16-18).
Public prayer is sometimes both
necessary and proper, but usually
our prayer should be
a. In secret w. g.. When we
pray we should be free from dis
tracing influences or personalities.
We are talking to God and should
give ourselves entirely over to
communion with Him.
b. In faith wv 6, 81. God knows
what we need even though He waits
to be inquired of concerning it. He
will answer prayer so as to honor
His name in our lives and in our
testimony before others.
c. With forgiveness wv. Il, 15).
No one who comes before God with
an unforgiving spirit toward his
brother is ready to ask God for the
forgiveness which he himself so
greatly needs.
d. With thanksgiving {Eph. 5:20l..
To give thanks is altogether fitting
as we come to God in prayer. Note
that we are to be thankful always"
and "for all things" not just when
some special blessing or favor has
come to us.
e. Without ceasing q Thess. SIG
18). Union with Christ enables us
to pray without ceasing, even as He
ever prays for US. This does not
call for the constant utterance Of
words, but the moment by moment
prayer of a heart and life lifted to
Him. With such praying comes con-
slant rejoicing ". 16).
Ill. A Model Of Prayer (Matt. 60
13).
The prayer which our Lord taught
His disciples was intended to be
model rather than a form of prayer.
We may repeat is however, if we
put into it the prayer of our hearts.
l. God and His Glory wv. 8, 10Y.
Recognizing Him as our Father
to whom we may and must come
for all things, we in all humility
ascribe all honor to Him. Then we
pray that His kingdom may come,
not only in the future (and we look
forward to itD, but now, in our own
hearts. Tie true believer wants the
will of God done in his own life and
throughout the earth, even as it is
perfectly done in heaven.
This prayer begins at the proper
point A right relationship with God
brings true blessing on earth. The
one who prays is now ready to pre-
sent to God
2. Man and His Needs wv. 11-13).
Daily bread is mentioned first,
for without it life could not continue.
This is the constant need of man,
and his great struggle. God is able
for that problem, and only He, is
able. Unless He gives "seed to the
sower and bread to the eater Elsa.
55:10) we are gone.
But man has even greater spiritu-
al needs. Sin needs forgiveness,
weakness needs strength, the power
of the enemy Of our souls calls for
deliverance. Again God is able and
ready to hear mans prayer.
One Of the sad things about the
study of prayer is that we are all
SO ready to talk about it, discuss
it, even preach about it, and then
do so little praying. Knowing how
to pray, and admiring a model Of
prayer, will profit US nothing, un-
less we pray.