Our Prayer-Meetings by Ernest Lloyd

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 19, 1908

Our Prayer-Meetings

By Ernest Lloyd

ERNEST LLOYD

To the prayer-meeting service we should attach an ever-increasing importance. As a means of public testimony for God “in the land of our pilgrimage” it is important; but it has a value of its own for ourselves. We hurry away from necessary contact with the world lying in wickedness, to hear what God the Lord will speak. “Tempted, harassed, sometimes overcome by danger without and within,—fresh from discovering once more that the friendship of the world is enmity with God,—we find ourselves suddenly in smooth waters,” in his very presence, approaching him in prayer, hearing his word, and showing forth his praise. We feel it good to be there. It is like oil to the machine; every part works the better for it. Less noise and more work is the result. It is as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land—cool and pleasant shelter.

Sincere prayer from the hearts of God’s people, in these services, will greatly assist in bringing about that oneness of heart and mind which we long to see among us. The love of God, “shed abroad” in our hearts, is the only love that will cause us to love our enemies, and will give us the desire to save souls. Prayer opens our hearts to this supreme love, and all bitterness

melts away before it. We need power to overcome. Prayer means power. There is no strength without it. Praying together enlarges our vision. Let us not limit God’s power of giving. There is no limit after God has written “whatsoever,” except his will. He is simply waiting for the personal holiness of the individual believer. “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” This is God’s seal, put upon them whom he knows to be his; and wherever this seal is seen, there the foundation standeth sure. 2 Tim. 2:19.

Let the love of Christ constrain us to entire consecration to his service. Let us encourage others, in our week-day gathering, to take the same step. “The light of the world,” “the salt of the earth”—so the Master describes them of his household. Can you read the description, my friends, and still count yourselves his? He asks, “What do ye more than others?” Let us work for more successful prayer-meetings. Others, by your example and attendance, will be led to set a greater value upon the service. May it please God to direct the feet of his children to the prayer service, and allow it to become and continue for them all one of the sweetest spots in the Christian experience.

Pasadena, Cal.