p. 690 | A TALENT FOR PRAYER

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 16, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 44.

"A TALENT FOR PRAYER."

How often we hear an expression similar to the above. Such a one, people say, is remarkably gifted in prayer; he has a talent for prayer; or he is so eloquent in prayer. There is no doubt that such expressions as these have done a great amount of harm. Young and timid persons, or those of little Christian experience, are led by them to think that they cannot offer an acceptable prayer. They become discouraged at their own short, broken sentences, and imagine that they cannot pray at all, or at any rate not in public. Such a conclusion is wrong, for there is no one who cannot and ought not to pray in public, at proper times; and the ill-considered statements of many persons, concerning prayer, are very often the reason why some neglect this duty.

It depends entirely on the purpose for which the prayer is offered, whether it needs to be eloquent or not. The minister of whom it was said that he "made the most beautiful prayer ever delivered to a Boston audience," probably gained the object for which he prayed,—the applause of his hearers,—but it is doubtful if his prayer was of any real value. If the object of prayer were to please the people, then only the well-educated, and those of ready speech, should pray. But this is not the object of prayer. Prayer is simply the making known of our wants to God, with the request that they be satisfied. If any person really feels the need of help, he can pray. If he does not feel the need of help, his so-called prayer is only mockery. The child who is very hungry asks its parent for food in the fewest words possible. He uses no unnecessary language. So it should be with the one who desires blessings from God. We are told that we are not heard for our much speaking.

A real talent for prayer, then, is the ability to feel that we really need the help which God alone can give, and to know just what things we need. He who is in this condition cannot easily keep from praying if he would. The mere words of prayer are subordinate to this. Having this earnest desire in the heart, there are just two things necessary to insure an answer to the prayer, no matter how short and faltering it may be. Paul gives one: "For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." The other is given by David: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."—Selected.