A Prayerful Attitude by FLORENCE CHRISMAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 10, 1915

A Prayerful Attitude

By FLORENCE CHRISMAN

FLORENCE CHRISMAN

THE place which has been dedicated to the worship of God is the most sacred place on earth. It is God’s sanctuary, where he meets with his people. It may be very humble, but it is no less holy; for God’s presence makes holy. When the Lord appeared to Moses in the burning bush, Moses was told to put off his shoes, for the place whereon he stood was holy ground. The place was holy because God was there, and his presence is ever the same—it makes holy.

Every religious service should be regarded with the greatest solemnity and reverence; it is a serious thing to enter into the presence of God unprepared. No thought, word, or action should be brought into his sanctuary that he cannot bless. We are told that “we do not obtain one hundredth part of the blessing we should from assembling together to worship God.” This is not because God withholds his blessing from us, but because we are not in a receptive condition. Our minds and hearts are so full of worldly cares that the precious truths of his Holy Word make but little impression upon us. We fail to sense our great need, and many times we leave the house of God in no better condition than when we entered. Evil angels are present at every service to rob us of the blessing which God has for us; and unless we are ready to receive it, we will go away empty.

Before going to the house of worship, we should pray that all evil be removed from our hearts, that we may come before the Lord “in the beauty of holiness.” As we take our places, would it not be well for us to bow our heads in a word of silent prayer? When the minister enters the pulpit and bows before the Lord, solemnity and awe should rest upon each one in divine presence. He is committing himself to God before he dares to stand before the people to break unto them the bread of life. Every worshiper should send up an earnest petition in his behalf.

Prayer is the most important part of divine worship. It should characterize every service. The minister may be earnest, well educated, and interesting, but without prayer, his message will fail to impress hearts. The worshipers may be intelligent, and sincere in their desire for truth, but without prayer, they will fail to comprehend the message of God; for “the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” 1 Cor. 2:11. Before the things of God can be understood, we must seek for the Spirit of God, who alone can give us wisdom to understand the things of God.

When prayer is being offered, we should remember that God, the Creator of the universe, is being addressed, and our hearts should join in each petition for divine blessing. Angels of God come very near at such times, and they are ready to help every soul who cries out after God. The Lord will richly bless all those who thus prepare themselves to hear the preaching of his Word. But sometimes we lose much of this blessing just before we leave the house of worship. While the benediction is being pronounced, instead of lifting our hearts to God in thanksgiving and praise, we often begin to put on our wraps or to gather up our books. This grieves the Holy Spirit from us, and thus we lose much of the blessing which we might have carried with us. Christ said, “Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” Isa. 56:7.