The Importance of Prayer by M. W. DE L’HORBE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 12, 1907

The Importance of Prayer

By M. W. DE L’HORBE

M. W. DE L’HORBE

In “Great Controversy” we are told of that little company of peculiar people who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and are ready to meet Christ when he comes. At that time probation has closed, God’s Spirit has left the earth, Christ’s mediatorial work in heaven is finished, and his people are left without a mediator, to stand wholly upon their faith in God. The wicked inhabitants of earth, and Satan with his hosts of evil angels, are bent upon their destruction.

“As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins, the Lord permits him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith and firmness, will be severely tested. As they review the past, their hopes sink; for in their whole lives they can see little good. They are fully conscious of their weakness and unworthiness. Satan endeavors to terrify them with the thought that their cases are hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes to so destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations, and turn from their allegiance to God.”—“Great Controversy,” page 618.

They fear lest they have committed sins which they have not confessed, and that these sins will separate them from God. And in that hour of extreme anguish and peril, they agonize in prayer to God, that he will deliver them and give them strength to stand.

These are very perilous times which the people of God are passing through to-day. The end is very near. Satan is going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Many are departing from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Some of the brightest lights in the church have gone out in darkness, and these deceived men are using all their strength and energy in deceiving others, and causing them to lose faith in this message. The testing and sifting work goes on, and men and women are deciding either for or against the present truth.

Therefore in this time of extreme peril to our souls, how much we need to agonize in prayer to God, that we may receive strength to stand. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21: 36.

If the Son of God, who “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” needed to pray often and earnestly to God, with strong crying and tears (Heb. 5: 7), that he might receive strength to overcome all his temptations, O, how much we need to pray! There must be a revival of the spirit of prayer among us as a people. There must be an individual wrestling with God in prayer, that we may receive strength to overcome all our sins, and power to witness for the truth, else our lights, too, will become darkness.

The church in the days of the apostles gained the victory, because they were of one accord in prayer, and had put away all their sins, all their murmurings and complainings, and all strife and discord. So it will be now. When we put away all sin and strife, the Holy Spirit will be poured out in its fulness, the work will quickly be finished, and Jesus will come. For this, let every believer earnestly pray.

What is the purpose of prayer? Is it not to cause the sinner to realize his needs, and to feel that he must perish unless they are supplied? It is the petitioner that is to be benefited by his prayer. God is ever ready and willing to bestow on his children the blessings they need. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1: 17.

Now, when the sinner feels his need of help to the extent that he is willing to acknowledge his sins, and his lost condition without God, then it is that God bestows his rich blessings upon him in answer to earnest prayer. Jesus says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matt. 7: 7, 8.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. . . . Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16: 23, 24. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14: 13, 14.

How should we pray? “I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also.” 1 Cor. 14: 15. This supposes meditation, and examination of one’s life. And why is it necessary to examine one’s life? — Because, as David says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Ps. 66: 18. “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Prov. 28: 9.

“The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil. 4: 5, 6. We should pray often in secret. Matt. 6: 6. Christ set us the example in this regard. Read Matt. 14: 23; Mark 1: 35; Luke 6: 12.

Daniel set us the example of praying in secret at least three times a day. Dan. 6: 10. The reason why he was “greatly beloved” was because he served God continually. Dan. 6: 16, 20.

Read how wonderfully God delivered his servants who served him continually as recorded in Dan. 6: 22 and Dan. 3: 20-27. God is no respecter of persons. You, too, my brother and sister, will be as greatly loved of God as was Daniel, if you serve him as faithfully. O, may God help all who know the third angel’s message to serve him continually! “Pray without ceasing.”

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21: 36.

Toronto Junction, Ontario.