“Men Ought Always to Pray, and Not to Faint”
By Mrs. H. W. Cottrell
THESE words were spoken by Jesus, the divine Son of God, and written by Luke, the inspired evangelist and physician. Jesus Christ taught the importance of prayer, both by example and by precept. First by example. “And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1. Doubtless the “one” who made this request was the speaker for the twelve disciples, who were almost constantly with Jesus; for when He responded, He taught “them” the beautiful prayer “Our Father,” which has come down through the ages as the model from which the human family, from the lisping child to the gray-haired sire, have taken their first lessons in prayer. The Man of prayer left an example of “all night” prayers and “a great while before day” prayers, which were offered in the secrecy of the mountain, the wilderness, or other solitary place, the sound of which was not for mortal ears. He prayed in the hearing of the people for those who believed on Him through His words, and also for those who should believe on Him through their words, to the end of time. He prayed for the sorely tempted and tried, as in the case of Peter. “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Luke 22:31, 32. He prayed in Gethsemane in the hour of death, when His heart was breaking with the weight of our sins; and He prayed alone, because those who professed to love Him most were sleeping, although He had twice entreated them to watch with Him. One of our Saviour’s last audible prayers was for His betrayers and murderers, as He was fastened to the cross. It is said of Him who taught His children to pray, that “His ears are open unto their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:12. And He not only hears them, but “the prayer of the upright is His delight.” Prov. 15:8. So interested is the Lord in the prayers of His children that an angel, who said to Zacharias, “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God,” was sent from that exalted position to answer the prayers of different individuals. The Lord has honored a number of His followers by having prayers that were offered by them recorded in His holy word. Not only the prayers of prophets, priests, kings,8and ambassadors are in the list, but the one-sentence prayer of the poor, despised publican has a place among them. These, with the many wonderful accounts of answers to prayer, are among the “whatsoever things were written aforetime,” which “were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4. Of Him who spoke these words, the prophet says, “He shall not fail nor be discouraged”; and again, He “fainteth not, neither is weary.” Isa. 42:4; 40:28. Though the Son of God left the courts of heaven, clothed His divinity with humanity, and came to this earth to suffer, “the just for the unjust,” and “to give His life a ransom for many,” He knew no defeat. Each step of the way was victory-crowned, till He triumphed over death and the grave, and in the words of inspiration, “was caught up unto God, and to His throne.” Rev. 12:5. Now we hear the mighty Conqueror speak through the “angel unto His servant John,” saying, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Rev. 1:18. “And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9.