And Praying by L. D. Boardman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 2, 1911

And Praying

By L. D. Boardman

L. D. BOARDMAN

LUKE was inspired to record that, on both the occasions when the Holy Spirit was manifestly poured out, it was a direct answer to prayer. The first instance is recorded in Luke 13:21: “Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased.” A. R. V. The second is found in Acts 1:14: “These all with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer,” this being their attitude of mind for a period of ten days, until the wonderful events recorded in the second chapter of Acts took place.

Can we not realize that, until we attain to the “one accord” condition, we are not ready for the Spirit?

Rich blessings have been received at our conference meetings, and at our church gatherings, when a spirit of oneness, of self-forgetfulness, of sincere humility, and of reconsecration has been manifested. But we need to go yet further. In complete self-abnegation, in entire renunciation of our sordid earth-longings, in perfect purity of heart, we must seek His power to come among us.

“Our God is a consuming fire,” therefore we must expect all the dross in our natures to be burned out of us; then, and not until then, are we clean vessels, fit for the Master's use, fit instruments for the King's service, fit weapons for the direction of the Holy Spirit of God.

Hove, Sussex, England.