The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-07-24
Growing through Prayer.
Luke 11:1-13, Phil. 4:6,7
by Ralph ROGER

grasp the whole OF Jesus messages
day by day, they did observe that
there was about him a certain
calm assurance, a tranquility es-
pecially noted in one who knows
what he is about and has the
strength and courage to push for
ward toward a specific and definite
goal. This the disciples lacked.
They wanted it and concluded that
the secret was in prayer. Like
most of us, they felt they were not
getting the full benefit of prayer
so they asked Jesus to teach them
to pray.
Jesus gained tremendous strength
through prayer. He assures us
that we can also grow in spiritual
strength and in answer to the dis
ciples' request, he gave them a
prayer that a child can understand
and yet is so boundless and pro-
found that it can guide the most
mature and intelligent mind to the
throne of God.
Prayer Solves Problems
There are times when we all
meet perplexing problems or feel
a deep need of guidance. Abra-
ham Lincoln was a very lonely
man who knew he had able but
selfish men about him. He said, Il
have been driven many times to
my knees by the overwhelming
conviction that l had nowhere else
to 90. My own wisdom, and that
of all about me, seemed insuttlcl-
ent for the day."
There is always a great comfort
and assurance through prayer IN
time of danger. When Granville
P Lindley returned to New York
in April 1884 he told of terrific
storm in the Antarctic which
threatened Byrd's Flagship. The
storm rose at eight o'clock on the
morning of February 18th. It rag
ed all day sweeping away pieces
of the ships railing, ventilators
and boat cover. Heavy seas
sweep the ship. Only God san save
our ship now" so wrote Lindley in
his diary, and "the men are fall
ing down praying" AS the storm
abated about eight o'clock in the
evening he wrote THANK God,
our prayers have been answered"
Often we hear folks talk about
unanswered prayer. God answers
all prayers though sometimes, as
in the case of the little girl
who prayed for a pony at Christ
mas, the answer is no." Then
too, our wordy selfish petition and
demand may not be a prayer at
all. Like the disciples, we need to
learn how to pray. Jesus tells us
in the example he never uses Il"
or "me" or my" but always our,
we, us, making it wholly unselfiSh.
We need to pray not for our own
benefit, advantage, other than that
we may be helpful in the great
universal plan of salvation to all
men. II must be in accord with
Gods divine will.
An Urgent Appeal
Naturally the Heavenly Father
knows our needs before we ask
him. However we are to ask, and
it shall be given. Jesus uses the
illustration Of man who unex-
pectedly has guests and finds the
larder empty. He goes to a neigh
Dor for help even at midnight.
While the friend is in bed and the
children asleep and would not like
to be disturbed, yet because of his
importantly he arises and gives as
many loaves as he needs. Impor-
tunity means Ito annoy, to press
urgently, violently, vexatiously,
unreasonably." Who wouldn't an
swer such a request?
Jesus seems to be telling his dis
ciples that prayer should be quiet,
reasonable, non-violent 1t isn't
necessary to shout or to stand
pounding at the gates of heaven
demanding favors. God knows
our needs and certainly he will
answer our prayer at any time
day or night without fuss and con-
fusion. Just as the neighbor knew
his friend would get up in the
middle of the night to accommodate
a friend, so should we trust God
to fulfill our needs so long as they
meet with Gods interests and
plans.
Too many ask for foolish things.
Often we ask for the very thing
that would be our undoing. Agrip-
pima asked for the recovery of her
infant son. Nero did get well and
became the Roman Emperor who
plotted his mothers death and be-
came a curse to his people. Mon
lea prayed that her son Augustine
not 90 to Rome. but he did 60