G. B. THOMPSON by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 7, 1907

G. B. THOMPSON

By G. B. Thompson

Prayer—No. 4

G. B. THOMPSON

CONCERNING prayer the Lord has given us this promise: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matt. 21:22. This is indeed a wonderful promise. The Bible apparently contains no greater, for it seems there could be no greater. Think of it! “All things . . . ye shall ask . . . ye shall receive.” He who made and owns the universe, and has all power in heaven and on the earth, says, All things are freely yours; ask and receive. There is no reason why we should lack anything, or be spiritually lean.

But observe there is a condition. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Ah, this means much. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.” James 1:5-7.

Prayer without faith is an empty form; it is even worse than this, it is mockery. Believing is receiving. Every request from an honest and true heart, uttered in faith, the Lord answers. It

is true that sometimes, like parents who will answer the requests of their children, because of his love, God answers No. But no is as much of an answer as yes, and indicates just as much love. If we believe, there is no doubt concerning the certainty of an answer. “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matt. 17:19, 20. Think of it, “Nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

On this same occasion, in response to the words of the man who had brought his lunatic son to be healed, who pleadingly said, “If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us,” we read, “And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:22, 23, A. R. V. What stronger words could the Lord use to give us assurance to come to him in prayer? We can think of none. Truly the possibilities of believing prayer are infinite. How true, “Ye have not, because ye ask not.”

But let us not forget that sin hinders prayer. In Isa. 1:15, we read, “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear.” Why is this? Has not the Lord promised to hear in heaven his dwelling-place?—Most assuredly. But the conditions have not been complied with. The trouble is, the hands outstretched to God are stained with sin. In another chapter we are told why so many prayers are not answered. Listen to this terrible indictment: “Behold, Jehovah’s hand is not shortened, that it can not save; neither his ear heavy, that it can not hear; but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue muttered wickedness.” Isa. 59:1-3, A. R. V. The psalmist says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Ps. 66:18. It is useless to pray, expecting the Lord to answer, and at the same time cling to things which the Holy Spirit has shown us are sinful. Before we can receive from the Lord the great blessings promised, we must first give up our sins. “The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.” James 5:16.

Another thing that hinders our prayers, and explains why many ask and receive not, is an unforgiving spirit. “That word unforgiving! What a group of relatives it has, near and far! Jealousy, envy, bitterness, the cutting word, the polished shaft of sarcasm with the poisoned tip, the green eye, the acid saliva—what kinfolk these!”—Gordon.

After giving us the Lord’s prayer, the Saviour said, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father who will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mark it; those who carry hatred in the heart against any individual in this world, and refuse to forgive, have upon the ledger of heaven a record of sin which the blood of Christ will never wash away so long as those feelings are cherished in the heart. It is useless to pray, asking the Lord to forgive our sins, while at the same time we refuse to forgive those who trespass against us. There are many cold hearts into which the light of God would shine if they would only forgive the hundred pence while asking the Lord to forgive the ten thousand talents.

Takoma Park, D. C.