p. 178 | Prayer | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 28, 1858

Prayer.

PRAYER should be simple and reverend. Simplicity in our prayers is a great attainment. We should avoid setting more value on ingenious and original thoughts than on devout, affectionate fixedness of mind and devotedness of heart. One cardinal feature of an effectual prayer is plainness of language. Another feature is simplicity of utterance, as David used, when he could say: "I pour out my complaints before him, I show before him my trouble. Ps. cxlii. No art is needed—no extraordinary talent is required. The right feeling of the heart is the great pre-requisite. "He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry and will save them. Ps. xvi, 19.

We are to avoid haste and precipitation, as if we were in haste to be relieved of an irksome task. We should esteem it a pleasure, and its privilege a condescension of heaven. Hence, let it be inseparable with a spirit of solemnity and our present dependence.

Anything like affectation—anything that borders on an undue attention to elegance of language, or approaches of vehemence of gesture, should be carefully avoided. Bonnell has beautifully said: "Prayer is to the soul what blood is to the body," which is equally essential to its prosperity. Again we notice, we are to ask in faith.

The Scriptures repeatedly insist that we should be faithful in our supplication. James i, 6; Heb. x, 22. "In order that we may enjoy the true spirit of prayer and devotion, we must have an unwavering faith that God is, and is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him."

Faith is belief in God's word, giving God entire credit for absolute truth in all he says. By faith we are enabled to feel that we are in the more immediate presence of God, and can say with David, "He is about my path and about my bed."

A prayer without faith is an engine without steam—instead of clearing the way it only serves to obstruct it. O that we, as ministers and people, might ever share the blessings consequent upon a

life of purifying, overcoming, forthgoing faith! Then will our prayers be frequent and effectual. Again we notice:

We should aim to enjoy a holy boldness of access to God.

By the faith of Christ we may have boldness and access with confidence. Eph. iii, 12. As suppliants we should possess the liberty and humility of a child. The virtue of the mediation of Jesus, who has become our prophet, priest and king, invites us to a resolute and determined spirit that will wrestle and plead with God, and like Jacob, take no denial. "I will not let thee go except thou bless me." Gen. xxxii, 26.

"None that wait on him shall be ashamed." There is no act of our life more ennobling in its nature than a deep contrition of spirit in the humble attitude of prayer. O what a citizenship is his who can with confidence look up and say, "Our Father!" and view by the undimmed eye of faith the openings of an impartial hand! O blessed estate is his whose soul pants after God in fervent prayer?—Chris. Her. and Mes.