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The Privilege of Prayer

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 21, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 51.

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The Privilege of Prayer

By E. K. SLADE

E. K. SLADE
THE throne of grace is too little appreciated by the children of God. It has been provided at an infinite sacrifice. To make it possible, it was necessary to satisfy the demands of heaven's broken law by the sacrifice of the sinless Son of God, by which act the law was magnified and made honorable. Through this sacrifice there came into existence a dispensation of grace, or favor. The kingdom of grace and the throne of grace have been in existence, and the privilege of prayer has been granted to sinners, for nearly six thousand years. That that dispensation, that kingdom, that throne, and the privilege of prayer will soon all come to an end, can not be questioned by the student of prophecy. Imagine, if possible, the hopeless state of humanity if suddenly and without warning the privilege of entering into the presence of the King should come to an end.
When it was known by Mordecai that all the Jews of the kingdom were doomed to die, he immediately appealed to his niece, Esther the queen, to go into the presence of the king and intercede for her people. She declined to do so on the ground that it was an offense punishable by death for one uninvited to enter into the inner court before the king, no matter how urgent the mission. Nothing could save her unless the king should graciously extend his scepter to her. The gravity of the situation in this instance was urged upon her; and after much prayer in her behalf by the Jewish people, she ventured into the forbidden place and stood before the king. But a way had been provided whereby she escaped immediate punishment by death. We read: “And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight. . . . Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, Queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.” This remarkable experience is always read with deep interest. Ordinarily it meant death for one to do as Esther did, but through favor found in the sight of the king, her life was spared, and the privilege of prayer was granted to her.
We still have a throne of grace, or favor. Through Christ, the scepter “full of grace,” extended to us, we are permitted to enter into the royal presence, and find favor in the sight of the King. Though deserving to die, we are permitted to live and make our requests known unto God, with the assurance that they will be granted. Esther went before Ahasuerus with great fear and trembling. For us the way is fully open, and the favor ample, for “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” making it possible for us to come boldly to the throne of grace. The preciousness of the privilege of prayer should be understood and appreciated. The price paid for this privilege is beyond our comprehension. We need to pray, not to inform God of our needs, nor to awaken in him an interest in us, for he knows all our needs, but that we may be prepared to receive his gifts. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”
Mount Vernon, Ohio.