Prayer a Special and Divine Blessing.
By John F. Bahler
GOD has given to man the matchless gift of his Son, through whom all classes, whether rich or poor, can be saved by calling upon his name and asking that help which is needed in all that pertains to Christian life. Prayer is the key that unlocks the treasure-house of our heavenly Father and bring down rich blessings upon the head of the humble but believing suppliant. God has said, "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." If the sick are to be healed, prayer and faith claim their restoration. "The prayer of faith shall save the sick," and other innumerable promises might be given that are yea and amen to the child of God. Prayer is one of the grandest privileges given to man. Through it he gains strength to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil; hence he is able to stand amid all his own weakness as a strong man in Christ Jesus, Christ's strength being made perfect in his weakness. Prayer leads to homage, adoration, and reverential awe. Prayer and faith move nations. After the king's decree was signed forbidding all to call upon any other being save upon the king, Daniel prayed, and the Lord heard his prayer and sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths. His three companions also refused to offer homage to the golden image that was set up in the plain of Dura, though their fate was that they should be burned. They prayed with faith to their God, who delivered them from the fiery furnace. Prayer was their shield, and the nation was moved. See Dan. 3: 29. Prayer is one means of enlightening the soul, and the man who avails himself of its divinity will see new beauties in the word of God every day of his life. But "he that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." Dear reader, if we keep the law our prayers are not of this kind, for the Saviour said, "Blessed are they that do his commandments." And thus our prayers will ascend to the sanctuary, and there be offered as sweet incense upon the golden altar. Yea, they shall go up before the Master, who said, If you ask in my name I will pray the Father for you. Oh, how often we neglect this precious privilege! But prayers are often formed vocally, as follows, O Lord, help me to have a missionary spirit! O Lord, help me to overcome my impetuous nature to-day, and help me to love Brother A. or B., who has wronged me; and many other forms of expression, and yet scarcely an effort is put forth to do or overcome any of these things. Such prayers are an insult to the One who instituted this holy avenue of communication between God and man. Man can live physically without breath as easily as the Christian can live without prayer; but these are impossibilities. God has given us the breath of life as the motive power to the body; and he has instituted prayer as the means whereby we may draw from Heaven that which is the life of the renewed soul. Then let us make divine and holy use of this great institution. Let us think about it in our wakeful hours at night, and share of its blessings during the day, and then we shall have a safe journey during each twenty-four hours, in divine things. Obstacles and hindrances will be moved out of the way, and thus we may go on, walking with Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, and who said, "I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." JOHN F. BAHLER.
Denison, Texas.