THE SPIRITUAL LIFE IS ONE OF FRAYER.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 382, 18 May 1927, Page 3

THE SPIRITUAL LIFE IS ONE OF FRAYER.

(By Blanche lteed Johnston.) The excuse is often made by the Christian, “Wc have so little time for nayer.” 1 know this busy electric age is crowded with work and duty, and there seems very little oppottunity for the old-fashioned, quiet meditation, which made the saints of old so strong and confident. But perhaps herein is to be found our mistake, and the cause of spiritual “inertia" and failure. We find that the busier our Saviour’s life was, the more time He took to pray, often stealing away from the pressing crowd which thronged His steps, into the mountain-top alone to pray. Even when He did not have time for food, He found time to pray. “He prayeth best who loveth best.” Prayer is necessary; it is oil to the lamp, the food to the spiritual palate, the electric current which keeps open the communication with the unseen. Prayer docs many things for us. God gives light in prayer, and reveals His will in times of perplexity. God gives assurance in prayer; clears away the fogs and fears, the doubts and misgivings. He gives peace in prayer; calms the tempestuous billows which sweep over our souls in times of sorrow and darkness. The Lord gives confidence and courage through prayer. The Lord gives His Ho!y Spirit in prayer, with its inspiration, joy and comfort. He does not always give the answer we seek but He gives submission through prayer. Perhaps you will say, “Why does He not answer my prayer and remove the pain I suffer?” He may l>e moulding you in the same furnace as He passed through, for “He learned obedience in the things which He suffered. He

will answer your prayer as the mother answers the pleadings of her little child, not always granting what is asked, but always giving what the mother-heart sees is best for its future good. “I'apa," said a tiny little girl, ”1 wish you would ask God to answer my prayer. 1 have such a little voice, and I am afraid God will not hear me for ♦he singing of the angels. He would hear your big voice.” “Why, my dear, God would stop all the music to hear <rnd answer a little gill's prayer.” I cannot say that God will stop the heavenly choir to hear our petitions, but, however humble our request. He will heed and answer in His own time for the fulfilling of His best purposes. It is profitable to pray. All the spiritually great of all ages have been men and women of persistent prayer. It was when Kuth turned aside to rest in the heat of the noon-day that the master, Boaz, gave orders that she was to have a letter op|»ort unity to glean, and it will be so with us when we take time to wait upon the laird, our efforts will Ik* crowned with blessing. Work should lie the expression of the prayer life. To prayer Jesus and the early Ghristian Ghurch gave first place. Our service will not reach its maximum of effectiveness uniess we givp prayer first place. A glimpse at the prayerlife of Jesus reveals It as the secret place of power for Him. When a great problem lay before His disciples He told them to pray. He ‘aught His disciples to pray. He. now ascended to the right hand of God, ever liveth to make intercession. Shall we put last or in a subordinate place in life, that which Jeitis put first, ami which is now' His eternal service? The early disciples did not do so. When work became too exacting, a division of labour was agreed upon, and the twelve gave themselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the Word.