The Bible in Social Prayer.
By D. F. Newton
THE Bible—why not read it, brother, before you pray in your family, night and morning? Let God speak first, and you will pray the better for it a great deal; more energetically, life-giving. The word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword; it gives animation, and kindles a spirit of true devotion. The Psalms, and other portions of the sacred volume, are full of petitions, intercessions, and giving of thanks. Besides the devotional influence the reading of God's word in your family has upon your own mind and heart, consider the happy effect produced on the members of your family present. This bowing the knee and offering up a few hasty, formal petitions, without opening this Book of books, is not the profitable way of conducting family worship or any social meeting for prayer and praise. A prayer-meeting without the Bible is not a prayer-meeting as God would have it. Family prayer is not family prayer—as God would have it—without the Bible. This excluding the Bible from our regular seasons of social or family worship is unwise, the policy of the evil one. You suffer immense loss by so doing. The Bible is our text-book and guide, the foundation for the prayer of faith. Friends, read the Bible, read it in your meetings for prayer and praise; read it while gathered around the family altar. Read it attentively, reverentially, prayerfully, with self-examination. Read it, meditate upon it, digest it, bring it home to every heart. The influence of this sacred volume on the minds and hearts of the hearers, is salutary, convicting and converting. The Bible prepares the way for acceptable, heartfelt devotion, it enlightens, stimulates, kindles the soul, brightens hope, confirms faith. Reading the Bible adds interest to your social gatherings. It fills the mouth with arguments divine, supplies appropriate spiritual language for supplication. Take the Bible, beloved, be sure to take it, the Book of books. Make the Scriptures your sun, your shield, a lamp to your feet, a light to your path. The Bible is the bright and morning star of hope and glory.—D. F. Newton.