PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER by Stephen Pierce

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 21, 1878

PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER.

By Stephen Pierce

“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.” 1 John 5:16.

How much more frequently is it the case that if we see any of the brethren in the commission of a wrong, we are tried with them and indulge in a hopeless state of feeling in regard to them, instead of praying earnestly in secret that the Lord would forgive their sins. It is imperatively enjoined upon us to pray for even our enemies; and how frequently do the teachings of Christ enforce the duty of prayer.

When we pray for ourselves, our prayers may savor of selfishness; but when we pray for others, with that fervor of affection which the second great command enjoins, such prayers avail much, and they come up before the throne as sweet incense. May such prayers be more frequent among us.

How rich the promise, “He shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.” The writer confesses with sorrow that he has never appreciated it until within a few years. Lack of faith and love causes this deficiency;—lack of faith toward God in not realizing what he will do in answer to prayer; and lack of love to our fellows, it being enjoined upon us to love them as ourselves.

If the Israelites in their journeyings in the wilderness were a type of us “upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:11), nothing can be more instructive or profitable than the example of Moses in his continued fasting and prayer for Aaron and all Israel, when they sinned so grievously against God. At two different times this dear servant of the Lord, who was faithful in all his house, spent forty days in humble fasting and prayer for this rebellious people. Moses said: “I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger. For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the Lord was wroth against you to destroy you. But the Lord hearkened unto me at that time also. And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him; and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.” Deut. 9:18–20. Had it not been for this importunate interposition on the part of Moses, doubtless these stupid idolaters would have been cut off at a stroke. And Aaron, for his astonishing weakness and sin, would probably have had his portion with hypocrites and unbelievers, instead of being raised to the high priesthood and being called by inspiration “a saint of the Lord.” We have no record of any other instance of such continued fasting and prayer. But who can tell how many souls were thus rescued from eternal death? Had it been but one, the reward would have been infinite.

“He shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that have not sinned unto death.” There is no chance for a doubt as to the success of our effort. The language is clear, unequivocal, and explicit. It is astonishing that its force has been hidden from us so long. When our prayers are exhausted upon self alone, unconnected with the interests of the cause of God, it is no wonder that they avail so little. But when they are offered with a great solicitude that our course of action may not be injurious but beneficial to the cause, such prayers will avail; but when the motive is based in selfishness, our prayers are altogether useless.

When shall we drink so deeply into that which is perfect that we shall ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us? Why do we not hunger and thirst after righteousness, that we may be filled? Has the infinite storehouse failed or become exhausted? Certainly not. It is even now overflowing, ready to pour inexhaustible riches upon our unworthy souls.

Oh! the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! STEPHEN PIERCE.