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THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 17, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 24.

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THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER.

By Elder T. H. Starbuck

BY ELDER T. H. STARBUCK.
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." Col. 1: 9-12.
We dwell upon such a low plain and know so little of what it is our privilege to enjoy, that when, occasionally, the full force of revelation dawns upon the mind, we are surprised. The above scripture is full of light and consolation; and yet many who are trying to be Christians read it with such inattention that they fail to see the vastness of God's grace revealed in it. But when read with care, one is almost overwhelmed with the boundlessness of the field it opens up, and the richness of God's redeeming love. It is a wonderful lesson on the efficacy of prayer.
Prayer is one of God's appointed means of grace. In his economy of grace he has ordained that we shall receive what we need, by seeking him for it. The plan of redemption proceeds upon the principle that its blessings must really be desired in the heart, and sought after, and due recognition is to be rendered to Him from whom all blessings come. Prayer, to be availing, must be constant, not fitful. Paul says, "We do not cease to pray for you." He was proceeding upon the right plan, for he was constrained by the love of Christ. If the praying is fitful, the life will be similar. The life of a Christian is an index to his persistency in prayer. "By their fruits ye shall know them." The daily life is a picture of the soul's communion with God.
But that prayer may be efficacious, the soul must feel the need of what is asked for. To pray for that for which we feel no need is to pray in vain. Few people have any adequate idea of the richness of the blessings to be obtained by instant prayer. They are clearly defined in Paul's prayer for the Colossians; but God had no more blessings for the Colossians than he has for us. His prayer will well repay a careful study. First, a knowledge of God's will is to be obtained through prayer. The natural man cannot apprehend the things of God, for they are spiritually discerned. To seek God in prayer is to have his Holy Spirit to aid in understanding his word.
The word is the sword of the Spirit, and without the Spirit the word can neither be understood correctly nor used effectually. It is possible to be filled with a knowledge of his will; that is, the heart can be full of divine truth. "They shall all be taught of God." The Spirit of God writes his law (his word) in the heart. To have the law written in the heart is to have its principles so impressed upon the mind that they become a part of the new nature, or converted man. It is to have the mind of Christ impressed upon the affections of the soul.
The knowledge of God is not that which puffs up. It leads no one to behave unseemly. One element of it is wisdom, and wisdom is ability to use knowledge aright. Another feature of it is spiritual understanding, or divine enlightenment and perception of the mysteries of God. It is the Spirit of God directing the mind into all truth, and leading it to make a proper application of the principles of truth in all the walks of life. It is the characteristics of Christ's life on earth reproduced in the Christian. Such enlightenment is an inestimable treasure.
Second, through prayer one can attain to a daily walk that is worthy, because it pleases God. It is in fact a walk with God as friend walks with friend. Abraham was the friend of God. It is just as possible for men now to be the friends of God, for he has not changed since Abraham's day. Not many know the blessedness of such friendship, because so few are acquainted with God. Friendship implies acquaintance, and is impossible without it. God wants men to become acquainted with him. "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee." It is a present and an eternal good to be acquainted with the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Such a walk and such a friendship with God are fruitful in good works. Such a life conforms to the example of Christ's life in the flesh. A daily walk with God gives one confidence to say with Paul, "Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God." Such an acquaintance once formed will constantly become more intimate, and the increase of knowledge will correspond to the growing intimacy. Moses was so well acquainted with God that they conversed together face to face. The result was that he came to understand divine mysteries, and became, under God, the author of the Pentateuch, and the instructor of all succeeding generations.
Third, to know God is to know his power. Acquaintance with him is obtained through seeking him in prayer. To know the mystery of godliness, which is Christ within the hope of glory, is to be strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power. When Christ appeared in the flesh, God was in him, reconciling the world unto himself. The incarnation is simply a picture of what God is willing to do for us if we submit ourselves to him. "As thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." The power of God was placed at Christ's command, to be used in fulfilling his mission. The lesson is that we can have the same power for a similar mission.
But to have the power of God is to manifest the characteristics of that power. Patience and endurance will be prominent traits in the life of a Christian. God is never in a hurry, and he who is right can afford to wait without becoming impatient at delays or vexations. Trials and temptations, sorrows and bereavements, will be endured as means which God uses to strengthen and refine the character. The lives of the martyrs testify that God hears prayer and imparts strength. The life of a Christian is also a life of joy. It is not the joy of the world, but the joy of a deep and abiding peace with God—a joy that is born of faith in his promises. It is the privilege of the child of God to rejoice and be exceeding glad, for no created beings ever had so much to inspire joyfulness. The grace of God bestowed upon a lost world is the wonder of the universe.
Fourth, thankfulness is the result of prayer. The heart that has received so much from God will express its gratitude spontaneously. Why should not the Christian be thankful? By the abundance of God's mercy he has been made inexpressibly rich. To be delivered from the dominion of darkness, and made a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, is more than the world with all its coveted treasures can yield. Truly life consists not in the abundance of worldly goods held in store, but in the rich and abundant supplies of grace which God has provided for everyone who seeks him understandingly. To seek him understandingly is to approach him with a clear perception of what he is willing to impart.
The benefits of prayer are not overdrawn by the apostle to the Colossians. He had tested the matter by personal experience, and testified of things he had seen. A like experience may be ours if we let God have his own way. But such blessings are not estimated at their true value, because the world has such a hold upon men. Is it not time to accept what God offers, and then "arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee"?