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Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 47.

The Prayer of Habakkuk the Prophet

Review and Herald

Nov 23, 1905

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 23, 1905

The Prayer of Habakkuk the Prophet

*O Jehovah, I have heard the report of Thee, and am afraid; O Jehovah, revive Thy work in the midst of the years; In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. God came from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of His praise. And His brightness was as the light; He had rays coming forth from His hand; And there was the hiding of His power. Before Him went the pestilence, And fiery bolts went forth at His feet. He stood, and measured the earth; He beheld, and drove asunder the nations; And the eternal mountains were scattered; The everlasting hills did bow; His goings were as of old. I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; The curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.*
*Was Jehovah displeased with the rivers? Was Thine anger against the rivers, Or Thy wrath against the sea, That Thou didst ride upon Thy horses, Upon Thy chariots of salvation? Thy bow was made quite bare; The oaths to the tribes were a sure word. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. The mountains saw Thee, and were afraid; The tempest of waters passed by; The deep uttered its voice, And lifted up its hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their habitation, At the light of Thine arrows as they went, At the shining of Thy glittering spear. Thou didst march through the land in indignation; Thou didst thrash the nations in anger. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of Thy people, For the salvation of Thine anointed; Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked man, Laying bare the foundation even unto the neck. Thou didst pierce with his own staves the head of his warriors: They came as a whirlwind to scatter me; Their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly. Thou didst tread the sea with Thy horses, The heap of mighty waters.*
*I heard, and my body trembled, My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entereth into my bones, and I tremble in my place; Because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, For the coming up of the people that invadeth us.*
*For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength; And He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, And will make me to walk upon my high places.*
—American Standard Revised Version.

Our Publishing Work

By Editor

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. Psalm 68:11.
At the recent biennial session of the Atlantic Union Conference at South Lancaster, Mass., Brother F. C. Gilbert reported that sixty thousand copies of his Hebrew tract, “Israel’s Restorer,” had been printed. A Hebrew was also present during a portion of the session of the conference who had become interested in the truth by reading one of these tracts. He is reported to be a Hebrew lecturer of marked ability. Action was taken at the conference looking toward more vigorous efforts in behalf of this nationality.
School-teachers and their pupils are joining the large force already engaged in selling Life and Health. The November number is a school children’s number, and is in great demand. The price is 5 cents a copy, but orders for 25 or more copies of this number will be furnished at 2½ cents each. Address Life and Health, Washington, D. C.
Have you seen a copy of Elder Haskell’s new book, “Story of the Seer of Patmos”? It is the latest production of a pioneer in this message, a man who is an earnest Bible student and teacher, whose instruction in Bible topics has helped and blessed thousands. “Seer of Patmos” is a study of Revelation, and with its companion volume, “Story of Daniel,” furnishes most valuable help in the study of the two most important prophetic books of the Bible. The price of the set is $2. Either book, singly, $1.
“We look with favor upon the plan of setting aside certain small, easy-selling books for the use of those who wish to canvass in their own neighborhoods.
“We recommend, That, beginning in early November, special efforts be made by conference workers and church officers to interest our people in the sale of forty-per-cent books.”
The above recommendation was passed by the General Conference at its last session. We give below a list of the books specially selected for this purpose:—
DESIRE OF AGES.— Plain edition: Cloth, $1.50. Library, $2. Russia limp, $2.
THOUGHTS ON DANIEL AND THOUGHTS ON REVELATION.— Pamphlet style only. Daniel, 25 cents. Revelation, 25 cents.
GREAT NATIONS OF TO-DAY.— Paper, 25 cents.
HIS GLORIOUS APPEARING.— Board, 25 cents. Cloth, 40 cents.
STEPS TO CHRIST.— Paper, 25 cents. Cloth, 50 cents.
THOUGHTS FROM THE MOUNT OF BLESSING.— Cloth, 60 cents.
EDUCATION.— Cloth, $1.25.
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY.— Paper, 25 cents. Cloth, 50 cents.
VEGETARIAN COOK BOOK.— Cloth, 75 cents.
POWER FOR WITNESSING.— Paper, 25 cents.
THINGS FORETOLD.— Board, 50 cents.
HOW A LITTLE GIRL WENT TO AFRICA.— Red Cloth, $1.
OUR LITTLE FOLKS’ BIBLE NATURE.— Board, 25 cents. Cloth, 40 cents.
UNCLE BEN’S COBBLESTONES.— Board, 75 cents.
The above books are all subject to a discount of forty per cent to actual workers when ordered through the librarian of the church. No discount is allowed to individuals for books for their own use. They should be ordered from your conference tract society or from your nearest publishing house.
“Just what we have wanted for a long time” is what many say regarding the new, cloth-bound edition of “Hymns and Tunes.” For church services this is just the book, and the low price at which it is furnished will enable all to secure a liberal supply for church use. Price, 75 cents a copy. Bound in full cloth.
We still have a good supply of the Year-book for 1905, and are sure that our people who have not examined it do not understand what a large amount of valuable data it contains. Besides all the directories, statistical information, etc., it has a most excellent historical outline of the rise and progress of the denomination, giving important General Conference recommendations year by year, the dates of the organization of our various institutions, and lastly a condensed but very clear statement of the fundamental principles of the denomination. All this information will be useful for years to come, and will probably not appear in next year’s book. While our stock lasts, we will send a copy of the 1905 Year-book, post-paid, for 15 cents. Order now.
In Washington the ministers and church officers have been following up the work outlined for the campaign; and as the time set for the circulation of our books is here, they have asked how many would engage in the circulation of our books and periodicals. Nearly forty have expressed a desire to take up this work, and arrangements have been made for suitable instruction to be given these persons. A good leader will also be secured, and we shall expect good results from this effort. This same kind of work should be carried forward at this time in all our churches. And this effort should not stop after the holidays, for it is but a part of an “ever-increasing, mighty movement” which should know no cessation till the work is finished, and our Master comes.
Our edition of “Ministry of Healing” is now ready for delivery from our Battle Creek Office, and we will have a supply in Washington very soon. This beautiful book of 542 pages, full of such helpful matter, is dedicated by the author, Mrs. E. G. White, “to the physicians and nurses of every land, who, as coworkers with the Chief Physician, the great Medical Missionary, are laboring bravely and unselfishly to heal the sick, to comfort the afflicted, and to teach the way of life.” The author donates this, the latest of her books, to our people, to be used by them for the upbuilding of medical work in the denomination. All who took such an interest in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” will now desire to have a part in the circulation of this new book to aid our sanitarium work. Write your conference tract society for full information regarding the use of the funds derived from the sale of the book in your conference. The price of “Ministry of Healing” is $1.65 a copy, if sent by mail.
Orders for any publication mentioned on this page may be sent to any conference tract society or to any of the following: Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D. C., and Battle Creek, Mich.; Pacific Press Publishing Company, Mountain View, Cal., also Portland, Ore., and Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tenn., and Fort Worth, Tex.

Editorial

By Editor

Warning and Encouragement

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and declare unto my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways; as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near unto God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find your own pleasure, and exact all your labors. Behold, ye fast for strife and contention, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye fast not this day so as to make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I have chosen? the day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to Jehovah? Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy healing shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of Jehovah shall be thy rearward. Then shalt thou call, and Jehovah will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I am.”

Watered and Watering

“If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall thy light rise in darkness, and thine obscurity be as the moonday; and Jehovah will guide thee continually and satisfy thy soul in dry places, and make strong thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”

The Prophet's Prayer

To the prophet Habakkuk was revealed the impending destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Chaldeans. Of this he said: “Destruction and violence are before me; and there is strife, and contention riseth up.” He was distinctly told that this work would be wrought in his days. These were the words of the Lord: “Behold ye among the nations, and look, and wonder marvelously; for I am working a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told to you.” In view of this situation the prophet offered that wonderful prayer which is printed on the first page of this issue. The one petition which he urges is this: “O Jehovah, revive thy work in the midst of the years; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.”
As a basis for expecting that the Lord would renew in behalf of his people his work of mercy and deliverance, the prophet recites in brief poetical outline the evidences of divine favor shown toward the Israelites, from Sinai to the occupation of the land of Canaan. He “represents Jehovah as appearing in glorious majesty on Sinai, 3, 4; describes the ravages of the plague in the desert, 5; the consternation into which the nations were thrown by the victorious approach of the Hebrews to Canaan, and their wars with the inhabitants, 6-10; specially refers to the celestial phenomenon at Gibeon, 11; and then sets forth the auspicious results of the interposition of God on behalf of his people, 12-15. The prophet concludes by resuming the subject of the introduction, 16; and strongly asserting his unshaken confidence in God in the midst of the anticipated calamity, 17-19.”
The parallel between Habakkuk's time and our own is very clear. The calamity which now impends is the destruction of the world and all sinners in it at the coming of the Lord. Again the scenes of destruction and violence are presented. Again “there is strife, and contention riseth up.” It is therefore most fitting that God's people to-day should pray the prayer of Habakkuk: “O Jehovah, revive thy work in the midst of the years.” There is great need that the Lord should reveal himself in working a mighty work in behalf of his cause and his people. We are suffering from the need of a revival of his working in our own hearts to give us complete victory over besetting sins. His cause is suffering from the need of a reviving power in the proclamation of this message among the nations of the earth. This is a work for which neither intellectual keenness nor human devising can suffice. The Lord must revive his work, and reveal his own omnipotence. In this is our hope of victory. For this let us earnestly pray.
“Revive thy work, O Lord! Exalt thy precious name! And may thy love in every heart Be kindled to a flame! “Revive thy work, O Lord! Give pentecostal showers! Be thine the glory, thine alone! The blessing, Lord, be ours!”

An Old-Fashioned Revival

In some parts of the country it is frankly regarded as a matter of congratulation that the old-time revival movements have been discontinued. Such occasions are no longer planned for, nor expected. This is only the natural consequence of such teaching concerning God, sin, and the atoning work of Christ as has wrought an almost complete revolution in the whole subject of religion.
Those, however, who hold to the gospel in its purity and simplicity, ought to seek all the more earnestly for special manifestations of heavenly grace and power. But it is plain that we have been remiss in this respect, and that wehave permitted our own ardor to be cooled by the spirit of skepticism and the prevalence of outbreaking evil in the world. The words of Jesus are being fulfilled even among this people: “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
It is time for a change. There should be a new order of things. We ought to seek intelligently, earnestly, and persistently for such a blessed revival experience as will brighten our hope and renew our courage, and prepare the membership in all our churches for more efficient work in making ready the way for the return of the Master.
Those who have been called to Washington to bear responsibilities in the work here have already led out in such a movement by holding special prayer and consecration services, definitely asking for the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon themselves, and upon all believers in this message. The resident members of the General Conference Committee have felt it their privilege to issue a brief statement to all our people, urging a united movement for an old-fashioned revival of personal godliness and a renewal of the former experiences in this advent message. We quote the action adopted:—
“The present condition of things in the world at large, in the professed Christian church, and in our own denomination, moves us to make an earnest effort to arouse our people to an appreciation of the solemn significance of our position, and to call upon them to wait earnestly upon the Lord for a quickening of our faith and zeal in this message.
There are troublous times in the world. There is a manifest spirit of unrest among the people of many countries. They do not realize that they are being stirred by a power from beneath in preparation for the final conflict. Recent disclosures in the financial and political world indicate such a disregard of moral standards and such a weakening of moral character as cause surprise and alarm in the minds of those who do not know that we have come to the perilous times which are to characterize the last days. It seems that men's hearts are already beginning to fail them for fear of the things that are coming.
In the professed Christian church there has been such a spirit of compromise with the world, and such a departure from the fundamental truths of a Biblical Christianity, as show plainly that the prophecies concerning the complete fall of Babylon are now being fulfilled, and that the call should now be sounded forth to come out of her.
At the same time we are conscious of the lack of that spiritual life and power which ought to be revealed in our own churches, and which ought to accompany the proclamation of the third angel's message as the hope of deliverance from these evil times. We therefore feel impelled to make this appeal to our brethren in official positions, to our brethren in the ministry, and to our brethren and sisters in the churches, to take these things to heart, and to seek for a real revival of primitive religion among this people. We need it for the glory of God and his truth. We need it for the sake of those millions to whom this message is to be proclaimed. We need it for the sake of our own souls. We need it in view of the experiences which are just before us. We shall earnestly pray that God will stir the hearts of his people to wait upon him for it.
We are sure that this appeal will find a response in many hearts. We can join the psalmist in saying, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.” Nothing except a great spiritual blessing will satisfy the longing which the Lord himself is creating in the hearts of his children. The sense of our need is a token for good.
The week of prayer is near at hand, and the best possible preparation for a signal manifestation of divine grace at that time will be found in entering at once upon a real revival experience. Let earnest and faithful work be done by removing all known hindrances, and by placing ourselves in the channel of light and blessing. Then may we say: “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth. . . . In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”
Will the presidents of conferences join in this movement for a revival? Will our ministers respond to this appeal? Will the elders of our churches lead their congregations in such a movement? Will the brethren and sisters in our churches unite with heart and soul in waiting upon God for a heavenly visitation? We verily believe that the Lord is waiting to be gracious to his people. Surely his people must be willing in the day of his power.
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” “I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain.”

Thy Kingdom Come

By L. A. S.

In the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples, the foremost petition is, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” As the face of Daniel and the faces of God’s servants of old were turned toward Jerusalem when they prayed to the God of Israel, so the faces of God’s people to-day, as they bow before him, are to be turned toward the New Jerusalem, which is to be when the kingdoms of this earth shall have given place to the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. With our minds turned toward this coming kingdom, we shall find inspiration for petitions that will be acceptable before God.
Very appropriate is it that Christ’s disciples of this day should pray “after this manner.” During the week of prayer they should not forget the model prayer which Christ set forth in answer to his disciples’ request. The coming kingdom of Christ is now the all-important theme. The prophecies have been fulfilled; no long future remains for the church militant. This present evil world has already gone beyond its allotted time. The world’s greatest need now is that it should come to its end. The end will come as soon as the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom shall have been fully given.
God’s people are now engaged in the work of bringing the answer to the petition, “Thy kingdom come.” The week of prayer should be not merely a time of petitions for the coming of Christ’s kingdom, but of preparation on the part of God’s people to bring the answer to this petition. If they are earnest in desiring the coming of his kingdom, they will be earnest in seeking such a fitting up as will enable them to go forth and hasten that event. That this event may be hastened, and that the only cause of delay is not in heaven, but here on the earth, in the church of Christ, should be uppermost in the minds of Christ’s disciples during this prayer season. L. A. S.

Its Real Significance

By L. A. S.

The primary purpose of the week of prayer is not, as some people suppose, to raise money for missions. The proof of this lies in the fact that it is not the lack of money that hinders the progress of this work. If that were the lack, God could immediately supply it, for he has no lack of means. He created all things, and all the wealth that exists came from him. It is true that money is lacking in his treasury, but that is not the lack that stands in the way. The only lack that hinders is the lack which God's people themselves must supply. If it were not for this lack on their part, no other lack would exist.
God, who could make the stones cry out to bring the fulfilment of prophecy, or from the stones raise up children unto Abraham, could carry on his work by other agencies than he now uses if he chose to do so. He is not dependent on Seventh-day Adventists and the offerings they may make to him; he is not dependent on any man, but all men are wholly dependent on him. The week of prayer is a season when God's people should receive from him. This is the foremost necessity; this is the primary purpose of this special season. It is, first of all,that our own great need may be supplied. And none are in greater need than those who do not look beyond the call for means in their estimate of the purpose of this occasion.
We must be wholly consecrated to God, or the cause of God must go on without us. We ourselves must supply the lack of consecration, which occasions the lack of means, not for God's welfare, but for our own sakes, and our own eternal welfare, which is at stake. This is the significance of this special season of prayer to us.
L. A. S.

The Power of Prayer

By G. B. THOMPSON

ONE incident in the life of David strikingly illustrates the power of earnest prayer. David sat on the throne of the Lord. But rebellion was in his kingdom, nevertheless, led by Absalom, his own son. A conspiracy was working, and plots were being laid to seize the crown, and perhaps take the life of the king. Through flattery the chief conspirator had ingratiated himself into the affections of many. Spies were sent throughout all the kingdom of Israel to foment discord, and strong men were led to forsake the leadership of David, though he sat upon the throne of God, and join the rebels in their destructive work. An army was mustered, organized, and preparations were made to march against Jerusalem, and the dark clouds which loomed above the horizon seemed to betoken a tempest of sufficient power to overthrow the kingdom of Israel.
That Jerusalem might not be exposed to the horrors of war, David left the city. He was conscious of the fact that the terrible situation was traceable, in part at least, to his own sinful course, and he was terribly humbled. Driven from his throne, he fled from the city. “And David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.” 2 Sam. 15:30.
While fleeing up Olivet tidings were brought to the already broken-hearted king, that another, his trusted friend, with whom he took sweet counsel, had joined the conspiracy. Ahithophel had a brilliant mind, and his counsel was as though a “man had inquired at the oracle of God.” Absalom had solicited him to aid by his counsel, and being a shrewd and unprincipled statesman, and thinking that the rebellion would be a success, he yielded to his entreaties. Then, too, Bathsheba, she who was the wife of Uriah, was his granddaughter (compare 2 Sam. 11:3; 23:34), and the sinful course taken by David had planted in his heart a spirit of revenge, and he determined to wipe out the stigma from the family.
From a human standpoint the outlook was exceedingly dark, and well-nigh hopeless. But as David journeyed up Olivet’s slope, from the depressed and almost broken-hearted soul of the king, there went forth the prayer, “O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
God heard this prayer, and turned the victory upon the side of David and his people. Ahithophel gave counsel to Absalom, which, if followed, would have resulted in the defeat of David’s army, and the death of the king. But a prayer had been lodged in heaven, and the Lord purposed to work out deliverance for his servant. Angels from heaven were moving unseen among those who felt secure in their rebellious course. Hushai was called, and gave counsel the opposite of that given by Ahithophel, which was followed. Ahithophel well knew when this was done that the conspiracy would be overthrown. And like Judas, who betrayed his Lord for money, he committed suicide, well knowing that the failure of Absalom’s rebellion meant his undoing forever.
What an object-lesson this is of the power of prayer. How many times it has turned to flight the armies of the aliens we shall never know until the records of the Most High in the heavens above are opened. Through all the ages of the past since sin began its dark inroads in the universe, the history of God’s people has been marked with distressing scenes, both in their personal experiences and as a people. Many, like Jacob, have met a crisis in their lives, from which only the Lord could deliver them. But in response to prayer the angel of his presence saved them. Again and again rebellion manifested itself in the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel. When the case seemed hopeless, in response to the intercession of Moses as he lay prostrate in the dust, Jehovah appeared in glory at the door of the sanctuary; and in one instance at least, the earth opened, and the rebels disappeared forever. And no doubt till the end of time there will be conflicts in the church to fight in various forms. But when, in our experience, we come to a crucial point, it is then that we should petition the great God who is able to deliver, for help. Hezekiah took the boastful letter of Rabshakeh and “spread it before the Lord.” In response to his prayer an angel left the heavenly court upon a mission of death. In silence he walked through the camp of the Assyrian army, and when the bugle was blown in the morning, calling the sleeping soldiers from their slumbers, one hundred and eighty-five thousand of these warriors were found to be sleeping the sleep of death.
Again and again the Lord admonished Joshua to be of good courage, for he would be with him to deliver him whithersoever he should go. To the church till the end of time come the words, “I am with you alway.” Our Captain bids his soldiers “be strong.”
G. B. THOMPSON.

Take a Fresh Start

By I. H. EVANS.

WHAT a glorious privilege, that life offers us the opportunities of taking “a fresh start.”
The man who starts afresh is never defeated. Only when we say we can not, and so do not try, can it be said, “There is no hope.”
Again and again in the affairs of life, we have to take “a fresh start.” When misfortunes come, and losses and ruin stare us in the face, we “take a fresh start.” Instead of saying, “It is of no use to go on; I can not succeed,” the brave-hearted man will roll up his sleeves, wipe the sweat drops from his brow, and try again.
We often say, “He who will not surrender knows no defeat.” So it is in every walk of life. The obstacles we meet are often not so much hindrances as they are God’s grindstones to sharpen our faculties for better service. The man who fails is he who is unwilling to do battle over again. An individual suffers everlasting failure, if, when confronted by obstacles, he refuses to gird up his loins and take “a fresh start.”
The earnest Christian takes “a fresh start” every new day. His mistakes impel him to seek help from God. Every time he sins, he tries anew, and struggles to reach a higher plane.
Has any soul become discouraged in the service of God? If so, why not take “a fresh start”? It is ruin to remain away from God. A fresh start toward the kingdom is the only way of escape from eternal ruin.
Why should not God’s people everywhere take “a fresh start” for the kingdom? There can never come a better time than to-day. Everything in nature, in society, in politics, yes, everything in heaven and earth, invites us to take “a fresh start,” for the coming of our Lord draweth nigh.
“Every day is a new beginning, Every morn is the earth made new! Ye who are weary of sorrow and sinning, Here is a beautiful hope for you— A hope for me, and a hope for you. “Every day is a fresh beginning! Listen, my soul, to the glad refrain, And spite of old sorrow and older sinning, And troubles forecast and possible pain, Take heart with the day, and begin again.”
I. H. EVANS.
Continue reading: Readings *for the Week of Prayer