Missionary Prayers by W. C. Mathewson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1902

Missionary Prayers

By W. C. Mathewson

W. C. MATHEWSON

The twelve disciples, desiring to pray, asked the Lord to teach them how, Luke 11:1. This desire did not originate in them; for “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts.” Matt. 15:19. Similar to all good desires, it was purely of heavenly origin. In imparting such desires, God does not always act alone, but co-operates with human agencies.

The disciples did not receive that desire from the Father independently of the Son. Christ himself prayed within their presence; they admired his prayer, and wished to pray likewise. That prayer was missionary work. All sincere prayer, offered at the proper time and place, and in a proper manner, is missionary work. Thus may we all pray and win souls to Christ. All cannot preach, canvass, care for the sick, or engage in some special line of work; but all can offer prayers that will be potent factors in the salvation of sinners.

This is no abstract theory; it is a revealed truth. “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16. Do we wish to accomplish much in the closing work of the gospel message? Let us pray. Our prayers will multiply prayers. It cannot do otherwise and be genuine. It is counterfeit prayers that possess no saving power, winning no souls to Christ.

There is a great work to be done before probation closes. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.” If we cannot ourselves wield the gospel sickle, we can pray for the “Lord of the harvest” to “send forth laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2.

If prayer were not an important agency in increasing the number of laborers, the all-wise Lord would not have recommended it. He instructed his disciples to pray for laborers in such a crisis, because he knew that they would be sent as a result of their praying.

Circumstances have changed materially since then; but prayer is no less efficacious in removing the dearth of laborers. Neither will it accomplish less in any good work now than it did in the days of Elijah. “Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse” at all times and in all circumstances. If it seems to us that poor, perishing man is not receiving a liberal supply of heavenly blessings, if we feel that there is a dearth of eternal treasures in our own souls, let us pray with a keen realization of our own needs and the needs of the world around us. Implicitly believing every promise, let us pour out our souls to God as a child to its parent. Such a prayer, effectual, fervent, will accomplish much.

Jesus, who was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” was a praying man. While others were enjoying a comfortable repose, he, with aching limbs and tired body, was engaged in agonizing prayer, in order to accomplish what he had undertaken. Incomprehensibly great and difficult was his task, but nevertheless he accomplished it by means of prayer.

In praying for himself he was praying for others, whose salvation depended upon the success of his work. But he often prayed directly for others. He prayed for Peter. He prayed for the whole twelve. He prayed for all his disciples that should live in future ages. He prayed for you and me, who are within the ark of safety as a result of his prayers. Luke 22:32; John 17:20.

Knowing that there will be no starless crowns worn by the redeemed, have we been alarmed lest at the close of probation it shall be found that we have won no souls for Christ? Let us calm our fears by converting them into prayers. All that God requires of us is to do the best we can; and if some can do no more than pray, if they will do that, they will not labor in vain.

Although the majority can do more than pray, none can do anything if they do not pray; for prayer “is the life of the soul.” When we pray, “life from God flows into our life, and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God.”

Why does God give us life when we pray? Is it for our benefit only?—He gives us life that we may pass it on to our neighbors. Do we ever feel ashamed to pray in the presence of others, and consequently neglect a duty and privilege? This we should not do; for others as well as ourselves lose divine life thereby. It is utterly impossible to pray in public or within the family circle, and not disseminate the life of God.

“Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God.” Thus united, there will flow through us an unbroken current of divine life to the dying world around us; but this is impossible without constant prayer.

Is it any wonder, then, that Christ prayed so often? And since we pray so little, is it strange that we are not accomplishing more?