Prayer

Jesus told us what to say when we pray. When you pray, you should address God and not man. Prayer to God is sacred, “Hallowed pray to “Our Father who art in heaven.” (Matthew 6:7-9). Our prayers are to be in “thy name.” Jesus, our example, showed us when to pray. He prayed before He made a decision (Luke 6:12-13). Before selecting His apostles He spent all night in prayer (Luke 6:12). He prayed for the sorrowing souls of Mary and Martha at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:32-43).

He prayed for Peter when Satan had asked for him. Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you. But I have prayed that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus prayed in His own sorrow. He cried out in prayer, “Father the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee” (John 17:1). In the garden He prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew. 26:39). Jesus prayed for those who abused Him. He said, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). As we often sing. “pray when in sorrow, pray when in trouble, pray all the time.”

G.K. Wallace

Sermons We Can See

I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one any day. 

   I’d rather one would walk with me than merely show the way. 

The eye’s the better pupil, more willing than the ear. 

   Fine counsel is confusing but example is always clear. 

The best of all the preachers are the men who live their creed. 

   For to see the good in action is what everybody needs. 

If you let me watch you do it, I can see just how it’s done. 

   I can see your hands in action, but your tongue may run too fast. 

And the sermons you deliver may be very wise and true.

   But I’d rather get my lesson from observing what you do. 

For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give. 

   But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live (read Matthew 5:14-16).

Author Unknown

NO DEPARTURE From the Jerusalem Church

If we are to depart from the Jerusalem church because it was in its infancy, and not reproduce the primitive church, we should like to know how far we are to depart from it, and in what. If the faith and practice, the precept and example of the primitive church may not be adopted now and followed, and if in all things we should not now have the same faith and practice, precept and example they had, we should be pleased for some expounder of the new doctrine to explain to us in what the departure shall consist, and what rule we are to adopt now. If we let go of the rule that governed the first church, what rule shall we adopt? If we cut loose from the Divine, shall we adopt a human rule? If so, what human rule—some one of these already made? Or shall we have the presumption and folly to think we can make a better one than these human rules already in use? 

We are not ready to cut loose from the Jerusalem Church, its rule of faith and practice, its precept and example. We have more confidence in the old ground than ever, and have no idea of departing from the Jerusalem Church, its faith and practice, precepts and example. The men that will not stand on apostolic ground, the faith and practice of the first church, will not stand on anything long. We want something reliable, permanent, sure, and steadfast—a kingdom that cannot be moved. In the old Bible, the old Gospel, and the old church, we find it. Here is something to lean, upon living and dying, for this world and the world to come. If we leave this, all is uncertainty, darkness, and night. Let us “hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” and not be of those who ”depart from the faith,” giving heed to seducing spirits, and not listen to “unstable souls,” of those who are “ever learning and never able come to the knowledge of the truth.” 

Benjamin Franklin -- 19th century Gospel preacher