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Teach Us to Pray

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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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Teach Us to Pray

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN
THE disciples, returning on one occasion to their temporary abode, found their Master in earnest prayer. There was something about that prayer that captivated them. After listening to Jesus pray, the thought seemed to steal over them whether they had ever really prayed; evidently they had never prayed as Jesus was pouring out his supplications to God. At last one of them had the courage to say, “Lord, teach us to pray.” They wanted to get at the secret of really entering into the purposes of God, so that a living connection would be formed between heaven and their souls. Jesus gave them, in the few words following, the true principle of prayer. Not a set form of words, not even these identical words he gave, would bring the blessing. No; but the child of earth, in heart, in soul, in spirit, must enter into God’s purposes for him, for others, upon the points Jesus here outlines, termed the Lord’s prayer. We are to recognize the fatherhood of God; truly reverence him; manifest anticipation of, and consequent preparation for, his future eternal kingdom; be in subjection in everything to his will; depend upon him for daily food; expect his forgiveness of our sins in the same ratio that we forgive those who injure us; shun temptation; constantly recognize that the kingdom, the power, and the glory all belong to God.
Thus, Jesus outlined the principles that should ever govern effectual, prevailing prayer. How little human qualification, desire, or acquirement figures in all this, is worthy of careful consideration. True prayer, then, leads the suppliant away from his human weaknesses and selfish desires to the contemplation of the infinitude of God’s greatness and power, to the entering into his plans and purposes, and to the seeking to do his will.
The results of such petitions only the Lord can measure. It is said that a minister once dreamed that he saw rows of beautiful diadems, studded with precious jewels. “Is that large one for me?” he asked of the angel, as he thought of the wonderful revival in his church, when many had turned to the Lord. “No, not for you,” was the reply; “that one is for the poor old deaf man who used to sit by your pulpit stairs, and plead with God for souls in the congregation while you preached to them.”
While men pray, not for themselves, but for others, God works. The church was at prayer late into the night for Peter, while the angel was leading him out through the barred doors to liberty.
We may not be able to send out all the missionaries we would like to, but some one has said that through prayer their efficiency can be doubled. The prayers act as sharp sickles in the hands of the reapers.
“Prayer makes the darkest cloud withdraw; Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw, Gives exercise to faith and love, Brings every blessing from above.
“Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; Prayer makes the Christian armor bright; And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees.
“Have you no word? Ah! think again; Words flow apace when you complain, And fill your fellow creatures’ ears With the sad tale of all your cares.
“Were half the breath thus vainly spent To heaven in supplication sent, Your cheerful song would oftener be, ‘Hear what the Lord hath done for me.’”
Takoma Park, D. C.