God Always Hears the Pleadings of the Sincere Heart
By C. L. Taylor
HIS father and mother were dead, and for years he had found his only home in an almshouse. He was still only a boy, a mere child. He had been educated — to count from one to ten. Once a “good man” came to his home, the poorhouse, and told the story of Jesus, who longed to help all who were in trouble, especially children. One day the little fellow was sent in search of a lost animal. His search proved futile, and by and by, tired and discouraged, he sat down to cry. Then it was that he thought of Jesus, who wanted to help children; and remembering that he needed only to pray, he began to pour out his child heart to his Friend. A gentleman was passing, and hearing a child’s voice, a voice that spoke of trouble, he went to one side, peeped through the hedge, and listened. He saw a child, with clasped hands and face turned upward. He heard him say, “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.” Then the count was repeated. “My little man, what are you doing?” he asked kindly. “O, sir, I am praying to Jesus to help me find the horse.” And his little face began to beam with the confidence which he had in Jesus. Do you think, dear reader, that the Saviour heard that “counting” prayer? Could He hear the heart plea of a tired, ignorant, poorhouse boy? Was He able to find sense in words that of themselves meant nothing? The horse was presently found. Sense or no sense, the boy’s faith reached the great prayer central of the universe, and angels that excel in strength were sent to help. It is not the beautifully worded prayer which alone brings the answer of peace. Our dear Lord Jesus, who is touched with the feelings of all our infirmities, understands the throbbings of the heart, regardless of the language the faltering tongue may utter. Let me tell you this beautiful secret: Jesus sits at our Father’s right hand as our Advocate, and He makes it His one chief duty to present to God, in acceptable form, the petitions of every son and daughter who makes the effort to find succor. Never mind, then, the fact that you can not pray well. Just pray. The ear of your divine Friend is always open. He will answer the unspoken thought. If, in the hour of your trouble and distress, you can do no more than breathe His name — the name Jesus — you will find Him “a present help.” “Lord, teach us to pray.” “Men ought always to pray.” God always hears the prayers of sincere and needy hearts. C. L. TAYLOR.