PRAYER AS A PRIVILEGE by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Jul 4, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 26.

PRAYER AS A PRIVILEGE.

By G.

The privilege of petition, of asking favor, is highly appreciated by all human beings.

There is nothing that so wounds one's sense of right and justice as to be denied the privilege of soliciting from those who have the power to grant whatever is needed or desired. The child that is denied a request may still cherish hope that by repeating the request, by coaxing or teasing, or by crying if other means fail, the object may be gained. But, when sharply told not to ask again, hope is dispelled; the last avenue is closed.

When the subjects of a kingdom are denied the right to petition the throne, there is no way open by which they may gain redress for their grievances, or make suggestions for the betterment of their condition. To deny the right of petition, the privilege of subjects to make request of their king, is the last step to absolute despotism. The only remedy in such a case is rebellion and forcible overthrow of the government.

While no privilege is more highly prized than the right to appear before the ruler to make request for favor, or for the recognition of right, there is nothing more disheartening to the loyal subject than to be denied that privilege. But recently the first Douma, or popular Parliament, of Russia, received a message from the emperor, and supposed that the reply might be borne to his majesty by the president of the Douma in person, as the representative of the people. But to the great disappointment of the representatives, and of the peasantry at large, this privilege was not allowed.

In a republican government, the forbidding of personal or representative privilege of direct appeal to the president, or other high official, is even more disappointing, altho it is becoming more common. It is a significant sign of the times that personal access to the executive mansion of our own boasted "land of the free" is much more difficult than it was before the Civil War inaugurated and inculcated the military spirit as a dominant feature of the process.

In general, throughout the so-called civilized world, there is nothing that so encourages the spirit of rebellion as the appreciation of the privilege of petition and the discouragement of having it withheld.

And hereby is disclosed a wonderful contrast, showing the superiority of the governmental polity of the Supreme Ruler, of His wisdom and judgment in dealing with His creature subjects. Instead of denying the privilege of prayer, He invites, yea, urges that men come to Him and state their wants and wishes. His promise is, "Ask and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." And by parable (of the unjust judge) He impresses the expediency of importunate prayer.

Moreover, when by sin (disobedience of His holy law) man had rendered it a physical and spiritual impossibility to approach the majesty of heaven, God devised a way by which this disability could be overcome. The only-begotten Son of the ever-loving Father humbled Himself and became man, taking upon Him the likeness of sinful flesh. Thus, being "God manifest in the flesh," sinful man could approach unto Him. Through faith in this merciful arrangement, access to the throne itself by petition is complete. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Not only does the great King of the universe invite us to ask of Him, but He wants us to come to Him at any time, at all times, and to ask believing that we shall receive. The only prayer that is not honored is that in which there is not the element of faith. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace; that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

If men would appreciate the privilege of prayer to the Giver of "every good and perfect gift" as much as they do the prestige of access to earthly rulers, they would enjoy a far greater measure of both temporal and spiritual good.