CONTINUING INSTANT IN PRAYER.
By M. E. CORNELL
When temptation, which is always lurking in the pathway of mortals, shall suddenly spring forth to surprise and overpower the Christian traveler, instant prayer will often be found his only help. Walking over enchanted ground, where pits and snares are on every hand, there is no safety but in constant watchfulness and prayer. In a sudden and unexpected trial of patience, angry feelings and words are prevented by the shield of instant prayer. And no one can say he ever tried this in vain. When evil thoughts come, and the mind is turning in the wrong direction, an immediate check must be given, and then a strong effort is often necessary to keep it in the right channel. It is here that the hardest conflict ensues. All wrong doing results from allowing the mind to run in the wrong channel, thus encouraging evil desires. There is no safety except in checking the first evil thought; and this is positive duty, for “the thought of foolishness is sin.” When an evil thought intrudes itself, that very instant the heart must be uplifted in earnest prayer for deliverance. There must be a continual abhorrence of evil, combined with vigilance in guarding against the first approach of the leprous taint of sin. “Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned.” There must exist in the heart a fear of sin, because of its “exceeding sinfulness.” When the serpent comes in fairest form and with pleasant voice, and evil desire or presumptuous curiosity tempts us to indulge just for a little while, then must the soul cry out in prayer for help. Knowing the right way, and the warnings against evil, why will man basely yield to any sinful way? Has not sad experience taught us that it is unsafe to run the risk? Should we ever harbor a sinful thought? No, never! Feeling our need of help, we should not forget to watch and pray; then when the thought of evil comes in, our instant prayer will be, “May God forgive,
Nor let the thought one moment live.”