Part 17 (1/2)

HOW TO PRAY.--With the Understanding

=”What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding.”=--1 COR. xiv. 15.

We need to pray with the spirit, as the vehicle of the intercession of G.o.d's Spirit, if we are to take hold of G.o.d in faith and power. We need to pray with the understanding, if we are really to enter deeply into the needs we bring before Him. Take time to apprehend intelligently, in each subject, the nature, the extent, the urgency of the request, the ground and way and certainty of G.o.d's promise as revealed in His Word.

Let the mind affect the heart. Pray with the understanding and with the spirit.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

NINETEENTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit on Christendom

=”Having a form of G.o.dliness, but denying the power thereof.”=--2 TIM. iii. 5.

=”Thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.”=--REV. iii.

1.

There are five hundred millions of nominal Christians. The state of the majority is unspeakably awful. Formality, worldliness, unG.o.dliness, rejection of Christ's service, ignorance, and indifference--to what an extent does all this prevail. We pray for the heathen--oh! do let us pray for those bearing Christ's name, many in worse than heathen darkness.

Does not one feel as if one ought to begin to give up his life, and to cry day and night to G.o.d for souls! In answer to prayer G.o.d gives the power of the Holy Ghost.

HOW TO PRAY.--In deep Stillness of Soul

=”My soul is silent unto G.o.d: from Him cometh my salvation.”=--PS.

lxii. 1.

Prayer has its power in G.o.d alone. The nearer a man comes to G.o.d Himself, the deeper he enters into G.o.d's will; the more he takes hold of G.o.d, the more power in prayer.

G.o.d must reveal Himself. If it please Him to make Himself known, He can make the heart conscious of His presence. Our posture must be that of holy reverence, of quiet waiting and adoration.