Suggestions to Church Officers Regarding the Week of Prayer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 12, 1914

Suggestions to Church Officers Regarding the Week of Prayer

THE annual seasons of prayer of the people of God have always been important appointments, possible of great blessings and refreshings to those who have devotedly entered into the full spirit of the occasion. Never in the history of the church has there been a time when conditions in the church and the world call so urgently for a sincere seeking of God as the present. The nations are angry. A large portion of the world is at war. Cities are being laid waste, and thousands daily are being slaughtered. Europe is one vast shambles. Everywhere the work of God is affected, and in many countries it is well-nigh paralyzed. Surely this untold suffering and loss demand in a very special manner the most earnest seeking of God, that his people may by his Spirit be equipped to speedily finish the work; for surely his coming is near.

Those responsible for the conduct of the meetings are urged to make at an early date such arrangements for the services as will give promise of general attendance; and as far as possible, visit before and during the meetings, all their members of the church, especially those who may be inclined to be careless or negligent in their attendance. All should be encouraged to so arrange their work that they may attain the full benefit of the services. This season of prayer should not be permitted to pass without special blessings being obtained by every member of the church. The tender, loving Spirit of God should now obtain possession of every soul. Special solicitude should be manifested for any who may be on the background, and no effort should be spared to fully reclaim such. Let us strive to make this a season of refreshing from the Lord.

This year there is a very urgent need for large offerings. Notwithstanding that our brethren in the foreign fields are heartily cooperating with the Mission Board in endeavoring to keep down their expenditures, yet the necessities of our mission fields are so pressing that some increase in appropriations must be granted for 1915. To this must be added the needs of Europe. The General Conference will be obliged to set apart thousands of dollars for the relief of our brethren and work in the war zone and their mission fields. The needs of the Foreign Mission Board should therefore be fully set forth early in the meetings, that by prayer and careful planning all may be able to arrange for a very liberal offering. On Sabbath, Dec. 12, the attention of the congregations should be called to these matters, and envelopes for the offering should be given to each individual, and if possible sent to any absentees. The offering should be received Sabbath, December 19, after the reading for the day has been presented. COMMITTEE.