Devotional Column

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 451, 19 June 1937, Page 3

Devotional Column

Nothing seems.- more illogical than prayer. It is impossible to bjjild up an argument satisfactory to the reason how prayer works or why it is necessary to the religious, life of man. Yes, prayer is a mystery which human reason cannot fathom. But tha.t prayer prevails with God is an indisputable fact of experience. Explain it how you will, this fact remains Ever since God first revealed Himself, men have prayed and prayer has been answered. Trace the causes of the great Christian movements in history: search into the story of foreign missions: examine w the records of the heroes of Christian enterprise whether it be John Wesley preaching the Gospel, or Lord Shaffesbury working for social reforms, or George’ Muller with his orphanages.', or Hudson Taylor working at ithe China Inland Mission,—and everywhere the secret o.f power and achievement has been the same, —believing, persistent, expectant prayer. Indeed experience shows thajtf the highest service a man can render to his fellows is to really pray for them. Not work backed up by prayer is the secret of power, but prayer—yes prayer first and chief, — prayer backed up by work.

“A perfect Christian character is a very beautiful product. It includes a bunch of Christian graces, each of them exquisitely lovely, and each of them delicately harmonized w.'i h all the cithers. Such a character cannot be developed early. “Come and learn of me,” said the great Teacher. No sooner do we come than we discover how much, we have to learn. He is so fair that it will take us a long time (to become like Him. We Have to cultivate many graces: faith, hope, love, humility, reverence, meekness, gentleness, long-suffering, unselfishness, spirituality—these are some of the flowers that bloom in the garden of the Lord, and that must flourish in our soul if it is to become as a watered garden wherein the Beloved of our souls delights to walk. There is no universal recipe for' cultivating all the graces. But it is certain that prayer provides a marvellously congenial soil for their healthy growth.” —J. E. Roberts. A player. Teach me, O Lord, to pray as Thou didst teach Thy disciples. Give to me the courage* to adventure into a mighty faith which attempts the impossible, relying on Thee; and help me by Thy spirit so to live in communism with Thee, that my will shall be Try will, and so my prayers the very thoughts , and desires of Thy love working in me. Amen.