Prayer-Meeting | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 26, 1871

Prayer-Meeting.

THERE is no better evidence of a state of grace than the relish for the prayer-meeting. What cares the worldly-minded person, or one in a backslidden condition, about the hour of social prayer? Such a one will prefer business or pleasure every time. On the other hand, the spiritually-minded see no place so desirable, safe and profitable, as the place of social worship. Jesus is there, the influences are all heavenly, and as the prayer of faith ascends, the power of God comes down and rests upon the assembly, and all feel as did the companions of Jesus on the mount of transfiguration, when they said: “Lord, it is good for us to be here.”

Prayer-meetings are essential to the life of the church. As well expect a human being to live without breathing, as for a church to maintain the spirit of holiness, usefulness and peace—its very life—without the prayer-meeting. There the church breathes its earnest desires and longings for the presence of Christ, and the blessings of his great salvation, and receives in return pleasant breezes from the garden of the Lord, reviving, cheering, and greatly strengthening the souls of all.

But who shall keep up these breathing places in the house of God? All who want to keep their souls alive by faith in Christ Jesus, and wish to see the church in all its departments manifesting power to influence men for good. Largely attended and spirited prayer-meetings tell plainly in their good results upon the pulpit, Sabbath-school, and the congregation in general. Let all who can be found where Christ has promised his own presence: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst.”