G. B. THOMPSON by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 17, 1907

G. B. THOMPSON

By G. B. Thompson

Prayer — No. 1

G. B. THOMPSON

“PRAYER is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to him.”—“Steps to Christ.”

In beginning these articles, I wish to ask this personal question, “How much time do you take to pray?” Will you take this question home to your own heart, and answer it to God? How much time do you take daily to pray? How much time did you take last week, or last month? How much time have you taken to pray to-day? What is your daily practise in this matter? Do you take one hour a day? Half an hour? Ten minutes? Five minutes? Or do you sometimes altogether neglect to pray?

These are not idle questions. They mean much to Christians. I am convinced that there is a terrible lack of real prayer among Christians. Some say their prayers. When weary, tired, and sleepy, they go through a form. To ease their conscience they spend a few brief minutes in prayer, but often there is not much heart in it.

We have fallen upon evil times. Sin is on every hand; the very atmosphere seems to be polluted with evil at times. A power from beneath is seizing hold of Satan’s agencies, and it is an awful thing to forget or neglect to pray. Can you not look back since you have been a Christian and see many defeats you have experienced because you did not pray? Call up the time you fell into the mire of sin, and see if you had not been neglecting to pray. Neglect of prayer explains many a fall. Have you struggled for victory over some besetting sin, and almost grown discouraged because of repeated failures? Did you pray as earnestly about it as you ought? Note the following statements from the spirit of prophecy concerning prayer:—

“Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks. Therefore he invents every possible device to engross the mind.”

“Temptations often appear irresistible because through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible the tempted one can not readily remember God’s promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons.”

Again and again in the Bible we are admonished to pray. “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18:1. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil. 4:6.

Our Saviour left us an example that we should follow in his footsteps. Burdened with the sins of the world, he poured out his soul in prayer that he might be strengthened and fortified for his work. “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12. In the morning he performed the responsible work of choosing the twelve apostles. Think of his agony in Gethsemane, when, falling upon the cold ground, he poured forth his soul in prayer; and sweat, as it were, great drops of blood. What an example for us! Are we following in his footsteps? Again I ask, How much time do you take to pray?

Takoma Park, D. C.