Do You Pray?

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 16, 1874

David did. His circumstances were indeed unfavorable. A crown was upon his head. The care of a kingdom pressed him. He might have said, “I have no time.” But he prayed. He prayed much. Prayer formed one of his most influential habits. What proofs and illustrations abound in those wonderful writings—the Psalms. How touching, earnest, often sublime, were his cries unto God!

Daniel did. He was indeed a statesman and courtier. He lived in the midst of idolaters. To them his religion was offensive. The king bade him not to pray unto the Lord. If he did, it was at mortal peril. The great men of Babylon conspired to make this very thing the means of his ruin. Still he prayed. He did it, not ostentatiously, but without concealment. His religious principle was stronger than his fear of men. Three times a day he kneeled, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as aforetime.

St. Paul did. It was the first pulse and expression of his new life in Christ. “Behold he prayeth!” said the Spirit. The fact was the surpassing but conclusive proof of his spiritual change. From being Saul the persecutor, it was thus shown he had become Paul the saint. However, after that event, his life was one of prayer, as well as heroic labor; of prayer for himself, for his countrymen, for the Gentile world, for the blood-bought church. Holier, more intense, sublimer aspirations, probably never ascended from a soul on this side of Heaven.

Our Lord Jesus Christ did. This is a most impressive truth. It ought to be pondered by all who do not pray. The Saviour was perfect. He was divine. He had no sins to be forgiven. There were in him no evil passions to be subdued. He was subject to no temptations that he could not resist. He was assailed by no enemy whom he could not conquer. He had life in himself. He had creative power. He had infinite merit. But he prayed. He prayed earnestly, and with his disciples.

Cold mountains, and the midnight air, Witnessed the fervor of his prayer.

Yes; David, Daniel, St. Paul, our Lord Jesus Christ, all prayed. The prophets and the saints were men of prayer. Even God, made man, prayed for you. Do you pray? —Advocate and Journal.