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The Week of Prayer

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 3, 1903

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 48.

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The Week of Prayer

By W. J. Stone

W. J. STONE
It is a good thing for us to pause occasionally, review the past, and get our present bearings, that we may know that it is well with our souls. What would present a better opportunity or occasion for self-examination than a week of prayer. And what season of the year could be more appropriate than near the close of the year?
The week of prayer has been appointed one week earlier than usual, so that nothing need interfere with all engaging unitedly and whole-heartedly in seeking and praising the Lord together. This also gives occasion for a preparation of soul, mind, and body to become so filled with the Spirit that it may be a safeguard against the festivities of the world that follow. It also gives us an opportunity of first serving the Lord, and bringing our gifts to Jesus, giving him our first and best endeavors.
The importance of this occasion can not be overestimated. As truly as we are nearing the end of the year, so surely are we nearing the end of time and the coming of the Lord.
The proclamation of Christ’s soon coming is no cunningly devised fable, but God in his goodness is making known to the world the meaning of the dreadful things that are taking place throughout the land.
Every candid, thoughtful mind is querying as to what these things mean, and what will be the outcome. There are many things happening in the world that show an unsettled condition in everything. The old earth itself is beginning to reel to and fro. The every-day occurrences are only evidences of earth’s coming doom; and yet so slowly have these things been creeping upon us that even those to whom the message has been entrusted little realize the real situation, and the perilous times which we have reached.
Take the sign that the Lord has given us in the fifth chapter of James, which is literally fulfilled to-day everywhere in the trouble between capital and labor, and ask the average man of intelligence what will be the result of this strained relation between the laboring men and the capitalists, and he will immediately tell you, A terrible time of trouble. But this is just what the Lord has told us it would mean (Dan. 12:1), and more, that it is a sign that “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:8.
The man of the world knows that there is a time of trouble coming, but he does not know the meaning of it. What a responsibility the Lord has placed upon us who know the meaning of these things, and how earnestly we ought to seek the Lord during this week of prayer for a keener sense of duty, and for the baptism of the Holy Spirit to fit us for service. Truly, the coming of the Lord hasteth greatly, and God is lifting the cloud and bidding us go forward.
Look at the situation from whatever standpoint we may; examine every chain of prophecy, and its fulfilment, and we are unmistakably brought to the last link, or the closing scenes of this world’s history.
The Lord is calling as never before for laborers to enter the harvest field. The calls were never so numerous. The openings for labor were never so many. There was never such a variety of work in which our lay brethren could engage. Every man, woman, and child who desires to work has an opportunity and an open door; but a deeper consecration is needed, and wisdom from God, to know how to perform the labor, that the work may not be marred in our hands.
Money is also needed, not only to meet present appropriations, but that we may continue to push the work in new fields, and quickly carry the gospel of the soon-coming kingdom of Christ to all the world.
In view of the great need of consecrated workers, and means with which to carry forward the work, how forcible is the scripture found in the second chapter of Joel: “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments. . . . Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children. . . . Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.”
Shall we not see at this annual week of prayer such a turning to the Lord with all the heart as we have never seen in the past? Shall not this scripture be literally fulfilled, and God’s people receive power for service as never before? God grant that it may be even so.