No Gift in Prayer by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 13, 1872

No Gift in Prayer.

By R. F. Cottrell

PROFESSORS of religion excuse themselves from taking part in the prayer-meeting, because, as they say, they have no gift in prayer. It would seem, from such confession, that if they really felt that they were gifted, so that they might be proud of their prayers, they would pray to be heard of men. The Pharisee, in the parable, was gifted in prayer; but the publican prayed. Should a man see himself in danger of sudden death, he would not be very apt to neglect to call aloud for help because he was not particularly gifted in making his wants known. His voice might be far from musical, and his expressions rude and broken, but the sense of danger and the strong desire for help would cause these things to be utterly forgotten. He would not think of excusing himself or making any apologies.

The publican felt his pressing need. And when these persons that have no gift in prayer feel theirs, and see themselves in their true light, instead of excusing themselves because they have no gift, they also will cry, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” And being justified by grace, and cherishing a feeling sense of God’s great goodness and their own unworthiness, they could cheerfully pay their vows to the Most High in the presence of all his people; and say, in the language of the Psalmist, “Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.”

Let a person see his lost condition, and he can pray. Let him be truly converted, and he can pray and praise in the congregation. The want of a gift originates in the pride of an unconverted heart. When self is humbled, and God exalted, we can glorify God in the use of just such gifts as he has given us. R. F. COTTRELL.