p. 15 | The Noon-Hour Prayer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 12, 1912

The Noon-Hour Prayer

“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.”

Requests for prayer continue to reach us from week to week. Some of these requests are of such a character that we do not feel like presenting them to the readers of the REVIEW. The purpose of this column is to help two classes: First, those who are sick and afflicted, and are seeking deliverance from the power of disease; second, those who for years have been struggling to gain the mastery over some besetment, or who have prayed long for the conversion of some loved one, and feel that they must have the help of their brethren and sisters in gaining the victory. General requests, like prayer for the Holy Spirit, for a deeper consecration, we do not feel like presenting. Every heart daily should feel a burden for such petitions at the throne of grace. It is those who are sick and discouraged and cast down that we desire especially to reach in this department.

Let us remember that the same God who delivered Daniel from the den of lions and the three worthies from the fiery furnace, who took his people in olden times through the Red Sea and the Jordan, who at one time walked this earth as a man, causing the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, the devils to depart from those they possessed, is our gracious and compassionate Saviour today. He desires to come into such close relationship to us that we may feel to place upon him every burden and present to him every care. As we come to him alone from day to day, we may tell him every need. We may enter into the details of our experience, and present to him requests which we would not feel free to speak to others. We know that he will never turn a deaf ear to our entreaty, that he will not betray our confidence; and if in his great wisdom and love he does not see fit to give us at once the desires of our hearts, he will grant us grace to bear the burden, and strength to stand the test. Let us cultivate daily communion with our best and dearest Friend in all the universe.

Requests for Prayer

175. A sister writes from New York State of the rich blessing she received from God some years ago, when in answer to prayer he raised her up from a great affliction. She now desires prayer in behalf of one of her sisters who has been an invalid for some years, and is now seriously sick, that God may restore her to health and bring to her heart his own cheer and the consolations of his grace.

176. A sister in Indiana requests prayer in behalf of her niece who has been given up to die by physicians. Her son in the asylum, for whom she asked prayer some time ago, has shown improvement; but she desires that he still be remembered, that God will once more clothe him in his right mind.

177. From Ohio a brother writes regarding a sister-in-law who is very low with tuberculosis, that if it be the will of the Lord, she may be raised up in answer to the prayers of his people. There are other members of this family who know not the Lord, and for these he desires prayer that they may be converted.

178. One of our sisters in Illinois writes that she, with three other mothers, have formed a quartet to pray for their four unconverted sons. Two of these are in Illinois, one in Michigan, and one in Pennsylvania. She says they would “rejoice to see the strength of their young manhood given freely to the service of the Saviour.” She asks that the prayers of God’s people may be united with the prayers of these mothers for the conversion of their sons.

179. A burdened request comes from New Jersey in behalf of a young man who has fallen into bad company and is being led farther and farther away from God, that he may be converted and give himself to the Lord’s service.

180. One of our young sisters attending school in Michigan writes of her great need of physical health to permit her to go on with her preparation for the Lord’s work. She has been afflicted for years, and her heart cries out for deliverance in order that she may the more freely give herself for service.

181. A brother from Nebraska writes that he is the object of great criticism. He desires grace in order to endure the test, and that God will send his converting power upon those who speak evil of him.

182. One of our sisters in Missouri is suffering with deafness. Her affliction has increased to that extent that it is very difficult for her to hear the preaching of the truth, or the conversation of her companions. She seeks for deliverance from this affliction in order that she may do the work which she believes the Lord wants her to do. Surely he who unstopped the deaf ears when he was on this earth, is able to make this sister every whit whole. Pray for her deliverance.

183. A sister in Indiana earnestly desires help that God may permit her to live such a life in her family that the unconverted ones, consisting of her children and the families of some of her children, may be converted to the Lord. She is a widow, and the only one in the family trying to obey the truth. She needs the help of earnest prayer.

184. A truly burdened request comes from California in behalf of a seriously sick mother. There is no help for her only as it comes from God. Pray that she be raised up if it be his will, and above all that she may consecrate herself fully to him. The sister who writes, also presents the case of her own husband, who is addicted to the use of strong drink, spending recklessly the money sadly needed for the support of his little ones. He is now trying to overcome this habit, and needs to be strengthened by the prayer of God’s people.

185. A sister in Illinois writes that she is afflicted with failing eyesight, and desires the prayers of her brethren and sisters.

186. The husband of one of our sisters in Indiana has deserted his home. His wife does not know his whereabouts. She earnestly desires that prayer be offered that God will work upon the heart of her husband, leading him to give his life to God and to return to his family.