Strong Faith and a Clear Sky.
By Lydia Jane Shaw
ThE Scriptures plainly teach us that it is our duty and privilege to pray for the things which we need, with the expectation of receiving them. This truth is taught in such texts as these: "He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor, also, and him that hath no helper." Psa. lxxii, 12. "And it shall come to pass before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isa. lxv, 24. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." James i, 5. Doubts and spiritual darkness are the natural visitants of the prayerless heart; they abide in the gloom of moral night, uncheered and unblessed by the bright beams of heavenly light. But prayer, effectual, fervent prayer, awakens and strengthens faith. Faith removes clouds and darkness, as well as mountains, and gives the soul a clear sky. The disciples of Jesus realized the benefits of prayer in strengthening their faith, when they so ardently and fervently prayed, "Lord increase our faith." And when that poor despairing medicant exclaimed, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief," he not only felt the need of prayer to strengthen his faith, but happily realized its benefits in bringing into exercise a patience of faith, which grappled with the mountain difficulty before him, and removed it. He that prays much, will have strong faith, will be little troubled with doubts, clouds, and darkness. And he that is delivered from clouds and darkness, must live in the bright sunshine of a clear sky. A praying man will be a faithful man, a spiritual man, a happy man, a holy man, and one fruitful in all that is good. And by frequent converse with an all-intelligent and benevolently instructive God, he secures a thorough knowledge of what is most important for man to know. Who then, that would possess the valuable treasure of these graces, will fail to secure them, seeing they may be obtained upon such easy terms—simply asking. Let all remember that the ef-fectual, fervent prayer of a sincere and upright heart, is a currency that always passes readily at the storehouse of Heaven, and will bring in exchange, the choicest and best of Heaven's blessings. And he that would be rich in blessings, full of faith, and walk in a clear sky, should pray always, with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, realizing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the all in all of his redeemed. In every want, He is their friend; in every danger, He is their defense; in weakness, He is their strength; in sorrow, their joy; in pain, their peace; in poverty, their provider; in sickness, their physician; in hunger, their bread; in trouble, their consolation; in perplexity, their counselor; in the furnace, their refiner; in the flood, their rock; in assaults, their refuge; in accusations, their advocate; in debt, their surety; in slavery, their ransom; in captivity, their deliverer; in the day, their sun; in the night, their keeper; in the desert, their Shepherd; in life, He is their hope; in death, their life; in the grave, their resurrection; in Heaven, their glory! Therefore let us draw nigh unto Him, who is all in all for time and for eternity, and he will shelter us in the day of his fierce anger.