We rise, and all, the distant and the near, Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear.
We kneel, how weak! we rise, how full of power!
Why, therefore, should we do ourselves this wrong, Or others, that we are not always strong, That we are ever overborne with care, That we should ever weak or heartless be, Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer, And joy and strength and courage are with Thee?
ARCHBISHOP TRENCH.
Watching Unto Prayer
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Rock Of Ages. "Simply to Thy cross I cling."-_Toplady._
1. Unto what are we exhorted to watch?
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and _watch unto prayer_." 1 Peter 4:7.
2. What is one of the pet.i.tions of the Lord"s prayer?
"Lead us not into _temptation_." Matt. 6:13.
3. By what means can we escape temptation?
"_Watch and pray_, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt. 26:41.
NOTE.-We should couple with our prayers a spirit of watchfulness, thus cooperating with G.o.d in answering them. This is watching unto prayer.
4. How is this duty again expressed?
"Continue in prayer, and _watch in the same_ with thanksgiving." Col. 4:2.
5. How faithful should we be in this matter?
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and _watching thereunto with all perseverance_ and supplication for all saints." Eph. 6:18.
6. When did Israel prevail in battle?
"And it came to pa.s.s, _when Moses held up his hand, that Israel __ prevailed_: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed." Ex. 17:11.
7. When the householder ceased watching, what happened?
"But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have _watched_, and would not have suffered his house to be _broken up_." Matt. 24:43.
8. What experience comes to those who wait upon the Lord?
"But _they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength_; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isa. 40:31.
9. For what did Habakkuk say he would watch?
"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and _will watch to see what He will say unto me_." Hab. 2:1.
NOTE.-Some are very anxious that G.o.d should hear them when they pray, but are quite indifferent as to what He says in reply.
10. How may we escape the evils coming on the world?
"_Watch ye, therefore, and pray always_, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pa.s.s, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:36.
NOTE.-Vigilance, as well as prayer, is necessary if we would escape the evils, delusions, and calamities of the last days.
11. What will be the result of not watching?
"But and if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the men servants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken, _the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers_." Luke 12:45, 46.
12. What will Christ"s servants be doing when He comes?
"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find _watching_." Verses 35-37.
13. How general is the command to watch?
"And what I say unto _you_ I say unto _all_, WATCH." Mark 13:37.
Answers To Prayer
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Jacob Wrestling In Prayer. "If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us." 1 John 5:14.
1. How does G.o.d antic.i.p.ate the needs of His children?
"And it shall come to pa.s.s, that _before they call, I will answer_; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isa. 65:24.
2. Is there any limit to G.o.d"s ability to help?
"Now unto Him that is _able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think_." Eph. 3:20.
3. How fully has G.o.d promised to supply our needs?