p. 10 | G. B. THOMPSON by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 31, 1907

G. B. THOMPSON

By G. B. Thompson

Prayer—No. 3

G. B. THOMPSON

Men of great spiritual power are invariably men of prayer. In the closet they have poured out their soul in supplication and confession, and then the Lord rewards them openly by blessing their labors. Study the lives of God's servants, both in the Bible and outside, and we see that the men who passed through great crises and wrought great things for God, winning lasting victories, spent much time in prayer. When the people were rebellious and about to stone Moses in the wilderness, he prayed earnestly. In answer to prayer water came from the flinty rock to relieve the thirst of the people. When Israel suffered defeat before the men of Ai, Joshua fell on his face before the Lord in earnest prayer. On another occasion prayer stopped the sun in its course in the heavens, that victory might be wrought for Israel. When Jacob, with fearful heart, heard that Esau with an armed band was approaching, he prayed. He wrestled with all his strength with the angel, and won a victory. When David had rebellion in his kingdom, and having left his throne, was fleeing before his son Absalom, as he ascended Mount Olivet, barefoot and weeping, he prayed, and said, “O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” That simple prayer saved the day. The counsel of David's trusted counselor was set aside, and Absalom's army was routed.

It was in response to prayer that fire leaped from the sky, and consumed the sacrifice prepared by Elijah, and turned the tide of victory on the side of these who had not bowed the knee to Baal. When Hezekiah received a threatening letter from the hand of Sennacherib, he “went up into the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord,” and prayed. In a wonderful manner he exalted the might and power of Jehovah. God heard the petition of his servant, and in the stillness of the night a warrior from the army of heaven moved unnoticed among the tents of the hostile thousands, and a hundred eighty-five thousand slept the sleep of death, and Jerusalem was saved. But the victory was won by prayer.

Daniel yearned for light, and for days sought the Lord for instruction. In answer to his requests, an angel came from the presence of Jehovah to give him “skill, and understanding.” Prayer has raised the dead. When Jesus stood at the tomb of Lazarus, he prayed, and “Lazarus came forth.” When Peter was in prison, the church prayed, and an angel was sent to bring him forth from his dungeon. When Paul and Silas were in prison, with their feet in the stocks, they “prayed and sang praises.” An earthquake which violently shook the prison occurred before morning, and the jailer and his family were converted.

Luther was a man of prayer. Wesley, Whitefield, Moody, and others loved to pray. Prayer indeed is power. Well might Mary Queen of Scots say, “I fear John Knox's prayers more than ten thousand men.” It is indeed strange that we pray so little.

Shall we not in these days, when the souls of men are being tried, come to God more frequently in prayer? We can carry to him our every care. “He can read a sigh, and see a meaning in a groan.” Though when we would do good evil is present with us, we can pray like the converted Hottentot, “Lord, deliver me from all my enemies, and above all, from that bad man—myself.”

Once more let me ask, How much time do you take to pray?

Takoma Park, D. C.