Part 20 (1/2)
TWENTY-SIXTH DAY
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit on Young Converts
=”Peter and John prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost; for as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.”=--ACTS viii. 15, 16.
=”Now He which establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is G.o.d; who also gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”=--2 COR. i. 21, 22.
How many new converts who remain feeble; how many who fall into sin; how many who backslide entirely. If we pray for the Church, its growth in holiness and devotion to G.o.d's service, pray specially for the young converts. How many stand alone, surrounded by temptation; how many have no teaching on the Spirit in them, and the power of G.o.d to establish them; how many in heathen lands, surrounded by Satan's power. If you pray for the power of the Spirit in the Church, pray specially that every young convert may know that he may claim and receive the fulness of the Spirit.
HOW TO PRAY.--Without Ceasing
=”As for me, G.o.d forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.”=--1 SAM. xii. 23.
It is sin against the Lord to cease praying for others. When once we begin to see how absolutely indispensable intercession is, just as much a duty as loving G.o.d or believing in Christ, and how we are called and bound to it as believers, we shall feel that to cease intercession is grievous sin. Let us ask for grace to take up our place as priests with joy, and give our life to bring down the blessing of heaven.
SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS
TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY
WHAT TO PRAY.--That G.o.d's People may Realise their Calling
=”I will bless thee; and be thou a blessing: _in thee_ shall _all the families of the earth_ be blessed.”=--GEN. xii. 2, 3.
=”G.o.d be merciful _unto us_, and bless _us_; and cause His face to s.h.i.+ne _upon us_. That Thy way may be known _upon earth_, Thy saving health _among all nations_.”=--PS. lxvii. 1, 2.
Abraham was only blessed that he might be a blessing to all the earth.
Israel prays for blessing, that G.o.d may be known among all nations.
Every believer, just as much as Abraham, is only blessed that he may carry G.o.d's blessing to the world.