A Year of Prayer by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 1, 1914

A Year of Prayer

By Editor

WE have just passed through our annual season of special prayer. It has brought rich blessing to many hearts. Sinners have been converted, backsliders have been reclaimed, and the entire church of God has received a mighty impulse in spiritual life. Why not merge this week of prayer into a whole year of prayer? In some lives this will be done. It is possible for the entire membership of the church to do it; and what a fulness of blessing would come in consequence! If in one week we can enter so fully into the heavenly presence, what communion we might enjoy as the result of a twelvemonth effort! Such an effort would be well worth while. Indeed, we must reach the place in our experience where this spirit of prayer will continually abide with us if we would meet the mind of God and do the work which he expects us to do.

Let us make the year 1914 a year of earnest prayer, faithful Bible study, and zealous missionary labor. Faithfulness in these three particulars will keep backsliding out of the life, and coldness out of the heart. For the year to come why not make an appointment with God every night and morning, withdrawing from life's busy cares for a few moments to hold communion with God and with our own souls? If we will do this, we may be assured that God will always keep his part of the covenant relationship. He will always be on time at the place of meeting. He will always bring to the communion heaven's blessing.

Why not form a regular habit of daily Bible study? Some definite hour, if it can be arranged, is better than haphazard work. Quietly, and alone, open the Book of God and read the messages which he sends to his children, realizing that they are personal messages of comfort and instruction to every soul.

Then let us form for the year to come lists of the unconverted and of others who need our help, and make these our special subjects of prayer. In our secret devotion let us remember these individuals by name, pleading with God to send into their souls his converting power, and as we thus pray we shall find our hearts burdened for their salvation. This burden we may express as occasion shall offer in kindly words and little ministries, or in direct intercession for them to yield themselves to God.

Let us, as a church and as individuals, make the coming year one of blessed experience in the service of our King.