The Coming Week of Prayer
By S. B. Horton
WHAT is the object of the “week of prayer”? and what should be our relation to it as individuals? These are questions of prime importance just now. As a people we are prepared to show from the Holy Scriptures and the fulfilment thereof through past and current history that we are living in the last days, and that the coming King is at the door. But are we fully prepared to show to all the world that we believe this with all the heart, soul, and strength? or do we need exhortation from time to time similar in character to that found in Rom. 13: 11-14, the first part of which is, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed”? How sweet was the message when we first embraced it! What a revelation of light and truth to us who were in darkness and possibly despair when there fell upon our ears the soul-stirring themes of present truth! How zealous we were to have all the family and the neighbors and friends learn of this “pearl of great price”! These were experiences enjoyed when we first believed. Have these experiences grown brighter and brighter? Have the trials and diverse temptations which have come to us since we believed resulted in refining us so that the Saviour’s image is gradually filling the soul temple and reflecting its benign influence? Or have we become engrossed with the cares of this world, and is formality dwarfing our religious experience? In “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume VI, page 495, we read: “It is possible to be a partial, formal believer, and yet be found wanting, and lose eternal life. It is possible to practise some of the Bible injunctions, and be regarded as a Christian, and yet perish because you lack qualifications essential to Christian character.” The same Testimony, page 404, reads as follows: “The great crisis is just before us. To meet its trials and temptations, and to perform its duties, will require persevering faith. But we may triumph gloriously; not one watching, praying, believing soul will be ensnared by the enemy.” Ancient Israel were instructed to present themselves before the Lord several times during the year in an especial manner. These were solemn and serious convocations for Israel, and were instituted in addition to the weekly or Sabbath meetings. Read Lev. 23: 37, 38. These were designed to be refreshings to Israel, to strengthen against the wiles of the flesh and the devil. The Saviour attended these convocations, and while specific acts and services of the particular days were abrogated at the cross, yet the principle and idea of special convocations were not to be lost sight of; for the Israel of God now need special refreshings and strength in these last days to withstand the wiles of the devil, who knows “that he hath but a short time.” And so our camp-meetings are designed in the hands of the Lord to draw his people specially nigh unto him. But may we not need another special revival during the year?—Yes, and provision is made for it. The camp-meetings are for the most part held in the summer time, when crops are growing; and it seems fitting that at the close of the harvest another convocation should be held, the week of prayer. At this time we are reminded of the goodness of the Lord, and what is more timely than to present ourselves before the Lord with a thank offering or a peace offering? Taking into consideration these few points, particularly our great need of power “to awake out of sleep,” no more forceful object lesson can be found than the memorable scene in Gethsemane’s garden, when the Lord invited Peter, James, and John to watch and pray with him, for he was to pass through a great trial. The sins of the world were now to be actually borne by him; and he saw, as it were, the cup coming directly to him from which he was to drink the deadly draught. Could he meet the ordeal, the crisis? Ah, listen: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” In place of his disciples entering into this agony with him, as was his desire and their privilege, they fell asleep, in consequence of which, under trial, Peter denied his Lord, and all forsook him at last. Dear brethren and sisters, the week of prayer will soon be here. What will there be in this occasion for you and for me? What relation shall we bear to this solemn convocation? Let us enter into the season with the spirit of consecration, with prayerful hearts, evincing deep concern as to the conditions needed to share in the overcomer’s reward, and may this week of prayer result in bringing peace and harmony from above to each heart, and may we go forth in the strength of Jehovah to finish this work and hasten the return of the Redeemer.