Brethren, Pray for Us by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 9, 1905

“Brethren, Pray for Us”

By I. H. Evans

Down the ages these words have echoed since the eventful days when the apostle Paul sent that heart-cry to the brethren at Thessalonica, arousing many a dear saint to remember the servants of God in their prayers. What child of God in a distant land has not felt his soul quickened and his energies aroused when he became conscious that the church of God was praying for him?

The most of the battles that have ever been won for Christ have been gained by prayer. A genuine revival was never known till some one had a burden of prayer, and who ever heard of a great harvest of souls till there was all-night wrestling with the Angel?

When Paul sent that message to the brethren at Thessalonica, he felt a great need. From the truth-loving Bereans he had gone to Athens, where controversy was the game, and sophistry was a substitute for the truth. He longed for souls; but when he saw how few received his message, he wrote to the church which had come to the light through his efforts, “Brethren, pray for us.”

Paul found strength in the prayers of his brethren. Not only of the Thessalonians did this disciple of the Master ask for prayers, but also of many other companies of believers. To the Colossian brethren he wrote: “Withal praying also for us, that God would open

unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” To the church at Ephesus he wrote: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Even the Master knew the help that comes from the prayers and sympathy of others. On the eventful night of his betrayal in the garden he said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed.”

Of the experience of the church after Herod had put Peter in prison, we read: “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals . . . and follow me. . . . And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John . . . where many were gathered together praying.”

When the wicked Haman had planned the destruction of all the Jews, and had a Persian decree with which to carry out the project, what saved that doomed people but the prayers of the servants of God?

What saved Nineveh from its threatened doom but the united prayers of all its people?

There is no power on earth so strong as the power of prayer. It has accomplished miracles. It has healed the sick, raised the dead, quenched the fiery furnace, closed the mouths of lions, and brought hope and comfort to many a fainting pilgrim. The promise is, “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Those who stand at the head of God’s work, and are trying to direct the energies of his people to accomplish a great work, need the prayers of every child of God. Not only should we remember the cause as a whole, but the leaders in that cause should often be named before the throne of grace. Oftentimes these servants of God are sorely tempted and in great perplexity. Sometimes has not the thought come into your heart that these men need your prayers?

“Perhaps, just there, the one has fiercer fight, A more appalling weakness, a decay of courage, darkness, some lost sense of right— And so, in case he needs your prayer, pray!”

In our public assemblies from Sabbath to Sabbath why not name these men before God in earnest prayer? The president of our General Conference carries many a heavy load. Bear him up before the throne of God. Pray that the gifts of the Holy Spirit may rest richly upon him in all wisdom, and patience, and courage. Let us remember the General Conference Committee and our ministry in all our petitions. Nor must we forget the servants of our Lord in distant lands. Day by day let us remember them in our prayers, that they, too, may have opened before them a door of welcome, and that utterance may be given them to make known the mystery of the gospel.

“Come, let us pray! ’Tis sweet to feel That God himself is near; That, while we at his footstool kneel, His mercy deigns to hear. Though sorrows cloud life’s dreary way, This is our solace—let us pray. “Come, let us pray! The burning brow, The heart oppressed with care, And all the woes that throng us now, Will be relieved by prayer; Our God will chase our griefs away; O glorious thought! come, let us pray.” I. H. EVANS.