ARE WE PLANNING FOR IT?
By I. H. Evans
SOME one asks, “Planning for what?” We answer, For the coming week of prayer. The time has already been appointed, December 22-29, taking in two Sabbaths, and closing on the last. How we have been hurried the last year!—scarcely time to attend camp-meeting or Conference; driven almost to desperation to keep up the necessary work and make things go; oftentimes too weary to either attend or appreciate even the Sabbath service at the little home church; while a day off has been out of the question. Four weeks more and the week of prayer will be here. Are we planning for it? Have we said, to wife and children, “Come, let us lay aside these burdens and many cares, and take a rest”? Many a weary wife and mother would be glad if all would unite in having a vacation for one week, and spend the time in seeking the Lord. Did you ever consider, parents, how children love to think of father and mother taking a rest from their toil, and really being companionable for a few days? Why not lay aside life's arduous labors, and for a whole week do only the necessary work? Take time to pray. Look over the family record for one brief year, and see whether life has been worth the living. Recall the harsh words, the angry frowns, the unkindnesses shown; and probe your own heart with the query, Have I drawn the poison out of the cruel words by confession? Is there a soul in darkness, in deep sorrow, because of your selfishness? Is the whole family circle clear, and does love and unity prevail? When ancient Israel had their seasons for seeking God, worldly labor was prohibited. Shall the Israel of the last generation never have a holy convocation? Why not be satisfied with plain food, and make the work out of doors and in doors as light as possible? The readings for the week of prayer are only suggestive. They will occupy only about half an hour each day. Why not spend several hours in earnestly seeking the Lord and reading his word? The public service can occupy only a limited time, but the closet knows no limit. There let us commune with the Lord of glory. Are sins unconfessed? let us tell them to Jesus. Are sinful habits holding us down? let us come and claim the victory. A week of prayer should be a week of spiritual devotion. It is a week for communing with God. Heart searching, confession, reconciliation, should mark the beginning of our seeking God, while praise and song will come from every reconciled heart. To have a good week of prayer we must plan for it. Individuals must plan; churches must plan; Conference committees must plan. Individuals must plan to lay aside worldly cares as far as possible, and spend the time in study, meditation, and prayer. Churches must plan to hold regular daily services at such times as will accommodate the greatest number. When a minister can not be present, why not let church elders, when convenient, exchange labors for a day or two, thus bringing in new talent? Conferences should plan to allow consecrated laborers to assist the churches during this important season. Let this week of prayer mark an era in our spiritual experience. Make it a real oasis in our lives. Shall we not plan for it from this very day? Let the church elder introduce it next Sabbath, and plan your meetings. Invite all to be sure to plan to give the week up entirely to the Lord. And above all, shall we not all pray for the Pentecostal blessing? I. H. EVANS.