G. B. THOMPSON by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 24, 1907

G. B. THOMPSON

By G. B. Thompson

Prayer—No. 2

G. B. THOMPSON

THE habit of prayer is perhaps one of the most satisfactory evidences there is of real piety. A man may make fine speeches, and engage in many kinds of philanthropic work, he may seem diligent in good works, and yet be a hypocrite. But when a man goes into the closet, and there habitually pours out his soul to God, he is apt to be in earnest. When the Lord wished to give Ananias evidence that Saul had experienced a change of heart, he said, “Behold, he prayeth.”

A man might be saved, and never hear a sermon. He might be deaf, or placed under circumstances making it impossible to hear one of God’s ministers preach. He might be saved, and never read a chapter in the Bible, for he might be blind, or never have learned to read. But in order to be an overcomer, and be saved in the kingdom of God, it is absolutely necessary that we pray. The deaf, the blind, the lonely ones, and those who are unlearned, need to pray as much as do others.

Many never grow in grace. Though born again, they remain infants, dwarfs, all through life. As one writer has said, “They are pilgrims, indeed, but pilgrims like the Gibeonites of old; their bread is always dry and moldy, their shoes always old, and their garments always rent and torn.” If you knew the secret life of all such, you would find that they neglect to pray.

There are others whose lives are in marked contrast to the class just mentioned. “They grow like the grass after rain, they increase like Israel in Egypt; they press on like Gideon; though sometimes faint, they are always pursuing. They are ever adding grace to grace, and faith to faith, and strength to strength. Every time you meet them, their hearts seem larger and their spiritual stature taller and stronger.” Learn the daily history of these individuals, and you will find that they are persons who pray much. You will find them often in the secret place, supplicating the throne of God for help.

Some are converted, and run well for a time; but later they turn aside to some bewitching fable. They lose their first love, and like Demas, go back to the world again. When tested, they fail to endure, and become stranded on the rocks of doubt and unbelief. These are persons who neglect to pray. Men do not backslide while praying. It is while absorbed in the business of life, and forgetting to pray that they grow cold, and depart from the truth.

“The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching, we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path.” —“Steps to Christ,” pages 118, 119.

I repeat the question, How much time do you take to pray?

Takoma Park, D. C.