PRAYER by Baptist Banner

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 14, 1880

PRAYER.

By Baptist Banner

PRAYER should never be forgotten. Not only should we breathe it forth when in "the congregation of the righteous," but even when alone, it should go up to God as incense from our souls. As we pursue our vocations—whatever our station in life may be—we may be trustfully leaning upon the arm of God.

Secret prayer is too much neglected. Doubtless we are in earnest when we join in prayer at the public meeting; but we suffer our daily cares to make us forget too much our secret devotions.

We need to go to God in secret and alone. Jesus loved secret prayer. On one occasion, we call to mind, he went up into a mountain by himself and continued all night in prayer to God. We have his Spirit. Let us follow its promptings and be like him. Let us pray in secret, that our reward may be public.

Prayer in the family should not be neglected. Twice a day at least the family should solemnly gather themselves together, hear God speak from his word, and offer solemn prayer to his name. Strange it is that this delightful service is so much forgotten, when it so greatly lightens life's burdens and brightens Christian life.

But some men say they can't offer a vocal prayer. No man ought to be that far from God. No man ought to be so afraid of men as to fear to speak to God—as to be ashamed to kneel before him and ask him for his mercies. We ought to talk to God because he is our friend and father. We ought to ask him for his love and care, and thank him for his blessings.—Baptist Banner.