EFFICACY OF PRAYER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 100, 4 September 1942, Page 5

EFFICACY OF PRAYER

FAITH OF OUR LEADERS

REV. CAULTON'S ADDRESS

"Upon this the fourth year of war, our King has called 1 upon we his people to regard the occasion as one for prayer not as . a mere matter of policy but because he himself realises

the supreme cause of prayer in times of war." In this manner the Rev. S. G. Caulton prefaced his latfdress yesterday at the special service of prayer in the Grand Theatre.

We were to be deeply thankful that Ave had such leaders, continued the Rev. Caulton. Lord Halifax, General Mac Arthur, Mr A. V. Alexander and Mr Herbert Morrison and many others had publicly testified to their belief and faith in prayer, as had also that magnificent Chinese Christian General Chiang Kai Ghek, who was an example to us all., lif Ave as a people prided ourselves on fighting for Christianity, prayer became 1 our chief duty. Not only were we expected to. say ..those natural prayers for the protection of our loved ones, but also we should have the larger purpose of prayer in mind, lest unconsciously Ave found lighting against God. Prajcr should help to keep us along the right lines.. Prayers for victory, he would not hesitate to say avctc but making a mockery of God, unless the supplicant Avas trying his utmost to ensure that the victory Avas'of the kind desired by God. He cited the great prayer of our Lord in the garden of Gethsemene prior to his crucifixion, Avhen lie feared his fleshly Aveakness brought about by the horror of the Cross. This prayer was dedicated

entirely to God's will, and was a

pattern which could be emulated to- < day when so many dreadful acts '•were being committed. It was loy-

ally to the avi 11 of (loci that we re-* quired victory for ami also for that further victor}' Avhich -was to be won after the war when the world would have to be rebuilt, upon the will of God. Just as the present war was the greatest of all time, .so would the task laid upon our generation be the greatest of all time and it was necessary that, this huge undertaking be built upon - Christian. foundation the keynote of

which was earnest prayer.