Practical Prayer | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1861

Practical Prayer.

In the vicinity of B——, lived a poor but industrious man, depending for support upon his daily labor. His wife fell sick, and not being able to hire a nurse, he was obliged to confine himself to the sick bed and family. His means of support being cut off, he soon found himself in need. Having a wealthy neighbor near, he determined to go and ask for two bushels of wheat, with a promise to pay as soon as his wife became so much better that he could leave her and return to his work. Accordingly, he took his bag, went to his neighbor's, and arrived while the family was at morning prayers.

As he sat on the door stone he heard the man pray very earnestly that God would clothe the naked, feed the hungry, relieve the needy, and comfort all that mourn. The prayer concluded, he stepped in and made known his business, promising to pay from the avails of his first labors. The farmer was so sorry that he could not accommodate him, but he had promised to lend a large sum of money, and he presumed neighbor A—— would let him have it.

With a tearful eye and a sad heart, the poor man turned away. As soon as he left the house, the farmer's little son stepped up and said—

"Father, did you not pray that God would clothe the naked, feed the hungry, relieve the distressed, and comfort mourners?"

"Yes; why?"

"Because, father, if I had your wheat I would answer that prayer."

It is needless to add that the christian father called back his suffering neighbor, and gave him as much as he needed.

Now, christian readers, do you answer your own prayers?—N. Y. Evangelist.