J. M. GALLEMORE by J. M. Gallemore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 20, 1875

J. M. GALLEMORE

By J. M. Gallemore

Prayer.

The Saviour tells us that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18 : 1. Says the apostle Paul, “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thess. 5 : 17. It is a fact, then, that men ought always to pray. This being so, the question next arises, How are we to pray? The apostle answers, “Lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” 1 Tim. 2 : 8. The Saviour answers, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11 : 24.

Prayer, then, must be offered in faith. We must not doubt. Not only this, but when we lift up our hands in prayer to God, they must be holy hands. Our thoughts must be holy; we must be holy. All iniquity must be rooted from the heart. Says the psalmist, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Ps. 66 : 18. “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt. 6 : 15. While the prayer of the righteous availeth much, we are told that the prayer of the unrighteous is an abomination in the sight of God. Faith and holiness, then, it is seen, are the great and needful essentials with us, to insure an answer to our prayers. We want that holiness that leads to holy living, holy motives, and holy aspirations. We want that faith which confidently believes and grasps every promise set forth in the sacred and divine revelation of God.

Among the promises to Christians is the precious one that if they ask blessings in the name of Christ, they shall receive them. We are instructed that, if we, “being evil, know how to give good gifts unto our children,” “much more shall our Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.” Luke 11 : 13. The Holy Spirit is a gift we certainly must possess in order to be in favor with God. It is one that God is most willing to give. It is one we ought to desire. And is it not one of the first things we should pray for? By it we know we are the children of God. 1 John 4 : 13. And if children of God, “he that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8 : 32. God's children, then, need not lack for anything. They need only come trustingly and in the name of the Saviour, and needed blessings will be granted.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Without holiness we cannot please God. Next, then, to the gift of the Holy Spirit, it seems, we should desire an increase of faith and holiness. To be holy, we must keep the commandments of God. If we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight, then we know that our petitions are heard. 1 John 3 : 22. *If we transgress not the commandments of God, then are we free from sin, and our prayers unhindered. “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2 : 4.

God forbid, then, that our fellowship with him and his Son, and our access to a throne of grace by prayer, should be hindered by a willful and knowing violation of the commandments of God. Prayer is the Christian's need and desire, prompted by holy thoughts and aspirations. Let us be instant and unceasing in our prayers until the time of our redemption.

J. M. GALLEMORE

Salisbury, Mo.