POWER OF PRAYER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1941, Page 6

POWER OF PRAYER

GUIDANCE IN DIFFICULT DAYS TRIUMPH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. ADDRESS BY ARCHDEACON E. J. RICH. I I "God has enocuraged and helped us lin a wonderful way." said the Ven. I Archdeacon E. J. Rich at the Citizens' United Intercession service in Masterton yesterday. "Through difficult and* dangerous months He kept us safe, giving time for preparation. Inspired leaders with a vision of the glory of cur cause have been given us. We have been kept and'guided while conditions were created which could make action possible, and following the great day of National Prayer marvellous success had come. Surely it is plain now that prayer is a mighty power and there is need that everywhere men andwomen who care should be faithful to their Christian duty, setting free and generating that spiritual power which would sqve the world. In face of the splendid encouragement God had given, in face of His revelation of the power of national prayer there must be perseverance. the leaven must be increased, until the whole community so followed God that the triumph of righteousness would quickly come. "It was easy to switch on the light, but all knew that the power which helped us was first generated in powerhouses,” said Mr. Rich. "We could not see the power as it travelled along the lines, we could not explain how it worked or what it was, but we know ' it is there because we can see its results and the work it does. It is just the same with the things of the human spirit. Men may not see prayer going out to God. We may not be able to see power flowing into men and women. We live as they serve and face danger, sustained and strengthened by power generated by our prayers. But wo can —and have —seen the results. "We Christians have known God’s power flowing into our hearts, permeating every fibre of our being, giving us strength for the allotted task.” Mr. Rich continued. "Men might not see the power flowing into us but they could see its results in changed and invigorated lives. When Christ walked this earth no man could see the virtue which went, forth from Him to help and heal and save, but they could see the results of it. We can see the results of prayer today in advances made, in men sustained, conscious of power coming to them to resist temptation to keep their ideals. Above all do we see it in the spirit of an Empire, now the wonder and the glory of the world. That spirit was built up in the selfsame way. The spirit of uncomplaining service and sacrifice which has saved Christian civilisation does not come of itself. Christian men and women down the centuries have builtthat glorious spiritual heritage, the secret of our strength. “But like the power which gives us light, the reservoir of spiritual power must have an inlet as well as an outlet." said Mr. Rich. "Fresh power of the spirit must be generated continually that it may keep on flowing into the heart of our Empire and its people to keep them strong. Never falter, then. Amid the distractions and the strain of our day keep your hold, your contact on God. So will the current of power grow giving strength and guidance all the lime, bringing us to our goal.”