United Prayer by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 24, 1904

United Prayer

By Editor

Editorial

United Prayer

DURING the week, December 10-17, all believers in this advent movement are invited to join in a concert of prayer. The results which might flow from such a season of united prayer are greater than we can measure or describe. More than sixty thousand persons may all be of one accord, even though they can not be in one place, and in such a volume of united and continued prayer there is a mighty power. The churches may be revived and built up. The missionary spirit may be greatly increased. A new inspiration to consecrated service may be received. Every individual member of every church and company may be filled with the Holy Spirit, and prepared to be an effectual witness for the truth. Thus the coming of the Redeemer’s kingdom may be greatly hastened. Are not these sufficient incentives for a season of united and earnest prayer? O that this week of prayer might bring to God’s people all the blessing which he desires to bestow! Then would there be a compelling power in this message, and there would be sufficient money freely donated to meet every demand of God’s providence. We hope that this season will be a time of united prayer in truth among all this people. Let each one do his part toward making it so.

Praying to a Purpose

IT is selfish to ask the Lord for large gifts merely for our own benefit. It is unselfish to seek for much in order that we may have the more to impart to others. When we ask for fellowship with Christ that we may show forth his praises, when we ask for the Holy Spirit that we may be prepared for service, when we ask for prosperity in business that we may have more to give for the advancement of God’s cause, we are praying to a purpose, and God will be glorified in giving what we ask of him. “We are to ask blessings from God that we may communicate to others. The capacity for receiving is preserved only by imparting. We can not continue to receive heavenly treasure without communicating to those around us.” “Give, and it shall be given unto you.”

Asking and Receiving

PRAYER is an essential part of God’s plan for bestowing his gifts. Some wise interpreters of God’s character and government declare that it is foolish to keep asking him for those things which he knows we need, as if we thought it necessary to remind him that we are here and dependent upon his bounty. The Son of God, who came down from heaven, viewed this matter in a different light. He said: “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.” Asking is a necessary part of the experience of receiving. The asking one is the receiving one. “Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence.” This key is given to us to use. Let us unlock the heavenly storehouse.

An Unanswerable Answer

THE best answer to all the objections to praying is prayer itself. While the skeptic is demonstrating that it is useless to pray, or while modern philosophy is constructing its crucible in which it proposes to subject prayer to a scientific analysis to determine whether God can answer prayer, the humble believer prays, gets his answer, and goes on his way rejoicing. Experience is better than logic or philosophy. David’s testimony is, “In the day that I called thou answeredst me.” The Holy Spirit says through the apostle James, “The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.” A great cloud of witnesses through all the centuries could testify that the Father in heaven hears and answers the prayers of his children. The best way to answer the skeptical philosophy about prayer is not to argue the case, but to keep on praying in faith. Answered prayers constitute an unanswerable answer to the strongest arguments against prayer.

Personal Communion

WE are invited into the audience chamber of the King of kings to hold personal communion with him. Although we have sinned against God and are unworthy of the least of his mercies, yet he loves us with an everlasting love, and has only thoughts of compassion toward us. He has made unto us “exceeding great and precious promises,” and with the tenderness of the loving Father that he is, he encourages us to let our requests be made known with thanksgiving, and it is his good pleasure to supply all our needs “according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” We may pray with the assurance that we are talking with a personal God just as really as we talk with our friend or neighbor. When we read his Word in the fellowship of his Spirit, we may know that he is speaking to us and with us. In our daily experiences we may realize the presence of angels from the throne, those “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Thus we may walk with God, just as did Noah and Enoch, and there will be fulfilled to us the wonderful promise of the high and lofty One: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” Those who know God most intimately are the ones who prize most highly the privilege of such fellowship. “The angels love to bow before God; they love to be near him. They regard communion with God as their highest joy; and yet the children of earth, who need so much the help that God only can give, seem satisfied to walk without the light of his Spirit, the companionship of his presence.” Ah, why do we give so much heed to our doubts and fears! Why are

we so ready to give weight to the suggestions of Satan, and so slow to have confidence in the promises of God? In so doing we strengthen the power of temptation and weaken our hold upon God. Let us refuse the freedom of the soul to Satan, and open wide the door to God. “Those whose hearts are open to receive the support and blessing of God will walk in a holier atmosphere than that of earth, and will have constant communion with heaven.” “Pray without ceasing.”