p. 182 | The Prayer-Meeting by M. Wood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 19, 1872

The Prayer-Meeting.

By M. Wood

“THEN they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Mal. 3:16, 17.

FROM the whole tenor of this beautiful passage of Scripture we may be assured that those who meet in the name of Jesus to worship God and adore the Saviour, pray with, and exhort, one another, and encourage each other by their testimonies to keep God’s commandments, will be highly pleasing to the Lord of hosts. It is an evidence that our delight was in him (God), and that we feared the Lord, and thought upon his name. It was the custom of Jesus when upon earth, to meet with his people for the worship of God. The apostle Paul used the following beautiful language: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching, and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Col. 3:16.

HOW is it with us when the appointed hour for social meeting arrives? Does it find us filling our station, and serving God with constancy and zeal, performing as far as lies in our power the duties of a Christian, having hearts filled with gratitude and love to God for the privilege of serving Jesus, the Master? or do we devise all manner of excuses, in order to absent ourselves from the house of prayer, and thus lose the blessing which God has in store for them that forsake not the assembling of themselves together in the name of Jesus?

Let us study the character of the ancient Christians. They had such love for the social gatherings that they would risk their lives for the privilege of meeting with a few of like precious faith. Notwithstanding the danger connected with the attendance of these social meetings, they never swerved from the path of duty. Frequently were they driven to the mountains and tombs, caves and valleys, still there was no faltering on their part. They were determined to serve God at all hazards, realizing that to be detected in the service of God was death in a most cruel manner. I doubt very much if they were ever heard to exclaim, when the hour for prayer-meeting arrived, It is too hot, or too cold, too wet, or the distance is too great, or I feel tired, or there will be but few there, or we shall be detected, and persecuted, and burned at the stake, or torn to pieces by wild beasts. The primitive believers were just the reverse of all this. They despised the world and its flattering allurements. They took up the cross and denied themselves. They boldly confessed Christ, and suffered for his sake. They trusted God for all things, and so took joyfully the spoiling of their goods. And what was the blessed fruit? They abounded in consolation, they grew in grace, they shone as lights in the world, they felt joy and peace in believing and obeying God.

But now we see professing Christians, even many of whom we charitably hope well, languid in their graces, timid in their confessions, fearful of consequences, and fearful of offending. Sad symptoms these of spiritual decay! In such, the spirit of the gospel is not exhibited, its character is not exemplified, and Christ is not glorified.

Oh! that the Lord may quicken his people, and revive his work in the midst of these last days. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” The cross of Christ is heavy to bear when the foolish and vain things of this earth occupy the largest part of our mind and time; but when the soul is filled with love toward the Saviour, and we feel an increasing desire to reach out after God, and a thirsting after righteousness, then will the cross of Christ appear light, and even pleasant to endure. We shall love the house of prayer, and assemble with the children of God. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:2, 3.

It is at the house of prayer that the weak and the strong meet together and mingle their voices in prayer and praise to the Almighty. We have common sins to confess, and common wants to be supplied. We have similar temptations to overcome, and all need the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. Then let us not forget the assembling of ourselves together; and let us exhort one another, and all the more as we see the day approaching. Oh! may the Lord help us to wake up and have a realizing sense of the solemn and perilous times in which we live. How soon the privileges which we now enjoy will be among the things that were. Then let us improve every opportunity offered in attending our prayer-meetings, and strive, by faithfully discharging every known duty, to seek a close walk with God. Let us draw nigh unto the Lord, and he will draw nigh unto us, and bless us. M. WOOD.

Boston, Mass.