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PRAYER

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 6, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 1.

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PRAYER.

By William Covert

BY ELDER WILLIAM COVERT.
ALTHOUGH man was by sin shut away from Paradise, yet the way to heaven is open through prayer, and none are denied the privilege of petitioning the throne of the universe.
Man is weak and his wants are many, yet the bounties of heaven are sufficient for all his needs, and the needy are encouraged to ask for large things, because the Lord is a liberal giver.
The invitation is, "Ask, and it shall be given you." Then, that those in want might be induced to make their requests known, a promise is subjoined to the invitation, saying, "Everyone that asketh receiveth." Matt. 7: 7, 8.
Not only does the suppliant receive the blessings of heaven for the asking, but the supplication itself is made to be a blessing as great as the thing that is asked for; thus the petitioner receives double as much as he requests.
Prayer leads the mind to meditate upon things that are lovely and pure; and it associates the intellect with themes that are heavenly. It is the channel of communication opened for man directly from earth to heaven. It gives poor, erring man direct access through Jesus Christ to the Father, who has in store riches of infinite value to bestow upon the poor and the afflicted who will in humble faith ask for them.
None can say, I have no need of these blessings, for all are helpless and undone, only as they are relieved from their distresses by the help bestowed from heaven. Walking in the light and joy of heaven is possible for the one who prays much and by faith accepts the gracious offers which are held out by the hand of God. It is the prayer of faith that keeps the heart drawn out toward God and open to the reception of the Spirit's influences.
Satan cannot darken the mind and discourage the heart of him who through meditation and prayer dwells in the presence of God.
It is John who writes, "God is love," but Jude waits to tell those who accept this love how they may keep themselves in it. His words are: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God." Verses 20, 21.
It is here seen that praying is done in the Holy Spirit, and that prayer is designed to keep God's children constantly in the stream of his love. It is through unceasing prayer and unbroken faith that the Christian building is continued. The neglect of prayer will then most certainly result in doubt and weakness, and let the love of God leak out of the heart.
Paul says: "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4: 6, 7.
What a wonderful promise is joined to the instruction that is given regarding prayer! What greater inducement could possibly be offered for the encouragement of prayer than is contained in the above?—heart and mind kept through a peace that passeth understanding, by prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving.
The summing up of what the apostle states is this: Pray, receive, thank the Lord for what he gives, enjoy a peace so full and sweet that it excels all understanding; and this peace keeps the mind and the heart still reaching out to God in holy communion.
Prayer and supplication, as set forth in the admonition above noted, lift the soul up to heaven, thus enabling the praying one to live in the society of angels and with God. It is only such a life as this that can escape the corruptions that are in the world, and enable its possessor to enjoy purity of heart.
Is it not in this manner that Jesus is with his children alway? His promise is that his presence is with his followers constantly to the end of the world. He does not come down to earth bodily and follow each one of his children, but by the Holy Spirit he commingles their minds and hearts with himself. He puts his mind in them through his Spirit and word, and their mind is in turn drawn to him in their meditations, watchings, and prayers, making a complete union between the Saviour and the saved even in the present life. This union was most beautifully expressed as Jesus prayed just before he suffered in the garden. His union with the Father as he prayed was to him an illustration of what his union is with his sons and daughters. To his Father he says, "Thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee." With himself forming the union between his Father and his children, he said it is "I in them and thou in me." This connection makes one perfect union, in which the child of God is severed from the power of sin and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son.
Although the connection is made, yet the Christian attitude is constantly that of sobriety and watching unto prayer. His joy and his safety depend upon his watching and praying. He will break away from the light and joy without this communication through prayer.
Burlington, Vt.