Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1914 — BROOKLYN TABERNACLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BROOKLYN TABERNACLE

BIBtI>STUDY»ON WHO MAY PRAY AND FOR WHAT? Luke 11:1-13—Feb. 1. “A«k, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”—Luke 11:9. usually prayed alone. On V some occasions He spent the ■ entire night In prayer to God. How inconsistent that would have been if He Himself were the Father, who for a time was with men and outwardly appeared as “the Man Christ Jesus”! But how consistent it is with His own declaration: “My Father is greater than I”! Doubtless the disciples noted the Master’s frequency in prayer and the blessings resulting therefrom. In time they requested instruction, saying, “Lord, teach us to It is well

that we inquire who may pray and for what, lest we pray without authority or pray amiss, as St. James declares some do.— James 4:3. There is a difference between worship and prayer. Any one may offer homage to the Lord or express appreciation., But the privilege of making re-

quests is limited. The Jews were privileged to pray, because they were in covenant relationship with God uu der the Law Covenant. But the Gen tiles had no such privilege until the Jewish favor had ended—three and a half years after Jesus’ crucifixion While any one may worship, none are privileged to pray except Jesus consecrated followers and their imma ture children. Everywhere Jesus words, “Our Father,” will be misinterpreted to signify “the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man." The fact that consecrated disciples, not mankind in general, were instructed to pray “Our Father" will be ignored. Jesus Usually Prayed Alone. There is a general tendency to ignore personal faith in the redeeming blood the fact that no man Cometh unto the Father but by the Son. (John !+:<>.> Adam was treated a son of God, but his disobedience and death sentence cancelled the relationship, which can not be restored except in God's appointed way—through Christ. I’rnyet is a wonderful privilege.. It is not for sinners, but for those justified by the Advocate whom the Father has ap pointed—Jesus. . “After This Manner Pray Ye." The model prayer which Jesus gave His disciples is grandly simple, >t opens with a reverent acknowledgin' tit of flie greatness and sacredne-s of the Heavenly Father's name, or character The petition. “Thy Kingdom come. ' is an acknowledgment of faith in God s promise that eventually Ills Kingdom will be established on earth, and an expression of the suppliant's heart sympathy with God and righteousness “Thy will be done on earth, as it idone in Heaven." signifies full coiiti dence that Satan will be bound: tlin. the reign of Sin and Death will end; that the knowledge of God's glory will till the earth and that all wilful op posers will be destroyed. The request for daily bread implies our realization' that our sustenance, both temporal and spiritual, must come from God. The failure to specify the kind of food implies full resignation to Divine providence. When the justified pray. “Forgive us our trespasses.” they do not refer to original sin; for they were Freed from it in justification. Trespasses signify those unintentional imperfections which appertain to all and which Jesus’ followers strive to overcome. The request that we shall have forgiveness as we are forgiving towards those who trespass against us is a reminder of the general terms of our relationship with God. We cannot grow in grace except as we cultivate the spirit of love—f* forgiving, generous spirit in our dealing with others. “Abandon us not in temptation” indicates that we are aware that we are surrounded by the powers of evil, which we as New Creatures cannot withstand successfully without Divine aid. “Deliver us from the Evil One” Is a recognition that Satan is our great Adversary; and that we are on the alert to resist him, yet realize our need of Divine assistance. "We are not ignorant of his [Satan’s] devices"; “We wrestle not against flesh and blood [merely], but against wicked spirits in high positions.” “Seek, Knock, Ask —and Receive.” In the concluding verses of today’s Study. Jesus admonishes that prayer be fervent—not merely formal words. He gave the illustration of the man who was finally moved by the earnest

ness of his friend’s petition, go we are not to think that our prayers are unheeded. Although we are not hastening the Kingdom by our prayers, yet wt are entering a blessing of rest through faith in God’s prom ises. What God really wishes to give His

people is His Holy Spirit. Because of the imperfections of the flesh none of us can be filled with the Spirit at first. But we can come to God. desiring to be in His character likeness: and to our knocking the door will be opened, Nor should we fear. Our Gather de lights to give His Spill t to those wb< seek it.

Jesus Usually Pray ed Alone.

“Lora, Teach Us to Pray."