p. 5 | Their First Prayer by W. F. HILLS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C.

FromReview and Herald, Harvest Ingathering Number

Their First Prayer

By W. F. HILLS

I SHALL never forget the impressive scene as a new company of sixty-five believers gathered to join in their first prayer to the living God. Only one man in this company had ever before attempted to pray to God.

Pastor Ang read a few scriptures, giving examples of prayer and showing that the Lord in heaven hears the prayers of his children on earth. As these newly won souls folded their hands and bowed before God, I was sure that music filled heaven because of this wonderful victory. When they thanked God for the Bible, for Jesus, and for the coming of the workers who had given them the message of salvation, our hearts were filled with praise to God that we were granted a place in his harvest field.

One sentence which they wanted to have a place in their prayer was this: “God, give us a teacher who can teach our boys the right way.” This sentence of their first prayer rings in my ears. They really believe that the true God will answer that petition, and I believe he will, too. They say that the God who created all things can surely supply them with a teacher.

They have turned out the old idols which filled their temple, and have cast every one out of their homes. Now they simply kneel at the foot of the cross and tell the Lord that they are willing to follow him as he leads the way. They raised seventy-five dollars that day as a fund for the teacher when he comes. The building where they formerly worshiped their idols is now turned into a neat chapel, furnished and seated at their own expense.

Swatow, China. W. F. HILLS.