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Watch and Pray

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 19, 1857

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 11, No. 2.

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Watch and Pray.

By Joseph Clarke

WHEN does Satan get the advantage over me and lead my heart away from God? When I neglect secret prayer. When do worldly thoughts and desires rule in my mind, and thus crowd out thoughts of God, and holiness, and heaven? When does temptation assail, and overcome, and darkness cover the mind, and despair fill the heart? When is family worship a mere formal ceremony? When am I impatient under opposition? When do I neglect duty and conform to the world around? When I lack a prayerful frame of mind. When I cease to watch and be sober. When is the Bible to me a sealed book? When I read it without prayer.
When is the word of God precious and sweet to my soul? When I read it, praying, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." When does light, and joy, and peace attend me? When do the heavens smile to me with gladness, and all the promises of God become to me yea and amen? When do I subdue self and gain an easy victory over besetting sins? When is my conversation free from guile, and my hopes and evidences bright, my head clear and my heart joyful and free? When can I diffuse a good and healthful influence around? When am I patient and compassionate towards those that oppose the truth, and when does success crown my efforts? When does my faith reach forward to the resurrection of the just with assurance of hope? When I watch and pray.
JOSEPH CLARKE.
Portage, Ohio.