Prayer for our Preachers.
By F. A. Buzzell
PAUL, so highly inspired, so wonderfully endowed with power divine, with the glory, of the resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Jesus, still lingering upon him, even Paul with all these powerful agents, these incentives to godliness, these inspirers of faith, felt the need of the prayers of God's people, those who did not follow cunningly devised fables, but loved, cherished, and strove to live out unpopular truths. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, 2 Thess. 3:1, 12. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord, may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable (absurd, margin) “and wicked men.” Again, Paul desires the prayers of the church of Ephesus, and writes to them, Ephesians 6:18, 19: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” By this we see that Paul knew his work, and that his ability to perform it rested upon divine power. He knew the efficacy of the prayers of the saints. He foresaw trials and persecutions, knew the influence of those in high places, saw them leading the ignorant rabble, witnessed their fury and blind hatred, received their jeers and personal abuse, yet was patient in tribulation. What a lesson to us of the present! Here amid all these scenes, Paul asks for the prayers of those who embraced his teachings. They were offered and answered; and Paul and his fellow-laborers were delivered from abuse, and wicked men, until—when? until Paul could say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Until his mouth had been opened and he had spoken what the Lord had purposed to have him speak; until he had made known the mystery of the gospel. The “third angel's message” is being proclaimed. It is full of unpopular truths. It is the last solemn warning to a “wicked and perverse generation.” Where are the leaders, and where the supporters of this thrilling proclamation? God has chosen his instruments. The proclamation will bring out supporters. Do we who have embraced the present truth hear the call, “Pray for us brethren”? How often do we hear these earnest entreaties? Do we appreciate the labors of those who have sacrificed for us? Yes; yet how faintly. Who knows how much comfort is derived by those who know somewhat of Paul's afflictions, will know still more, from the thought, that they, in their afflictions, temptations, calumny, false accusations, weariness, discouragements, buffetings, &c., &c., are often remembered in the closet, and around the family altar, in Sabbath devotions, and in private worship; and that the fervent, effectual prayer goes up to the throne of grace, that He who rules the universe, will still strengthen, guide, bless and assist them, that they “may make known the mystery of the gospel.” Who knows but what every earnest, heartfelt prayer to God for those who are “fighting the good fight of faith,” sends a good angel to the relief of some harassed soul just in time of sorest need? Let us who are not called to the “front,” to stand the fiercest onslaughts of the infuriated enemy, not think when we are shot at by some skirmisher of Satan, perhaps some deserter from the “royal army,” that Satan has ordered all his forces against us. Let us hold the shield of faith a little higher, and press the helmet of salvation more firmly upon our heads, and press on, praying for those who are at the front in the thickest of the fray, that they may have on the whole armor, and constantly use that ever victorious weapon, the sword of the Spirit. Satan is a shrewd commander. He will not order a regiment to capture a “corporal's guard,” or a division to storm a battery of “quaker guns.” 'Tis around a “Richmond” or “Paris” he concentrates his forces, and lays siege. Let us pray for the besieged. Minutes spent in prayer that those who have, under God, won brilliant victories in the past, are faithfully fighting for the truth to-day, minutes in prayer that they may stand in the counsel of God, are better than years spent in murmuring, or wondering if they will do the best thing for the cause, or fearing that they will not. To the winds with our fears and fault-finding; to Heaven with our prayers. Satan would never be so foolish as to raise up such powerful defenders of God's word. God's hand is in this work. His instruments are his choice; if we are not suited with them, we can carry our complaint to him. Do we trust in him? Let us bide his choice. May the Lord help us who love the “present truth,” to adopt the language of Paul to the Thessalonians: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thess. 5:12, 13. F. A. BUZZELL.