The Wonders of Prayer by Ryland

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Aug 7, 1855

The Wonders of Prayer.

By Ryland

ABRAHAM's servant prays—Rebekah appears. Jacob wrestles and prays—the angel is conquered and Esau's mind is wonderfully turned from the revengeful purpose he had harbored for twenty years. Moses prays—Amalek is discomfited. Joshua prays—Achan is discovered. Hannah prays—Samuel is born. David prays—Ahithophel hangs himself. Asa prays—a victory is gained. Jehosaphat prays—God turns away his face. Isaiah and Hezekiah pray—one hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians are dead in twelve hours. Daniel prays—the lions are muzzled. Mordecai and Esther fast—Haman is hanged on his own gallows in three days. Ezra prays at Ahava—God answers. Nehemiah darts a prayer—the king's heart is softened in a minute. Elijah prays—a drought of three years succeeds. Elijah prays—rain descends a-pace. Elisha prays—Jordan is divided. Elisha prays—a child's soul comes back. The church prays—Peter is delivered by an angel. Paul and Silas prayed and sung praises—the doors of the prison were opened and every man's bands were loosed. Prayer has divided seas, rolled up flowing rivers, made flinty rocks gush into fountains, quenched flames of fire, muzzled lions, disarmed vipers and poisons, marshalled the stars against the wicked, stopped the course of the moon, arrested the rapid sun in his great race, burst open iron gates, conquered the strongest devils, commanded legions of angels down from heaven. Prayer has bridled and chained the raging passions of men, and routed and destroyed vast armies of proud, daring, blustering atheists. Prayer has brought one man from the bottom of the sea, and carried another in a chariot of fire to heaven. What has not prayer done!—Ryland.