Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 174

15. With what should our prayers be mingled?

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication _with thanksgiving_ let your requests be made known unto G.o.d." Phil. 4:6.

16. How often should we pray?

"_Praying always_ with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." Eph.

6:18. "_Pray without ceasing._" 1 Thess. 5:17. "_Every day will I bless Thee_; and I will praise Thy name forever and ever." Ps. 145:2.

17. How often did David say he would pray?

"_Evening_, and _morning_, and at _noon_, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice." Ps. 55:17. See Dan. 6:10.

18. What is said of Cornelius and his family?

"A devout man, and one that _feared G.o.d with all his house_, which gave much alms to the people, _and prayed to G.o.d alway_." Acts 10:2.

19. In whose name did Christ teach us to pray?

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in _My name_, that will I do." John 14:13.

20. Why did the unjust judge answer the widow's prayer?

"Though I fear not G.o.d, nor regard man; yet _because this widow troubleth me_, I will avenge her, _lest by her continual coming she weary me_." Luke 18:4, 5.

NOTE.-The lesson of the parable is that "men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Verse 1. If this woman, by her persistence in asking, obtained her request from such a man, surely G.o.d, who is just, will answer the earnest, persistent prayers of His people, though the answer may be long delayed.

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Jesus Teaching The Woman Of Samaria. "G.o.d is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24.

Meditation And Prayer

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Secret Prayer. "My meditation of Him shall be sweet." Ps. 104:34.

1. What was one of Paul's injunctions to Timothy?

"_Meditate upon these things_; give thyself wholly to them." 1 Tim. 4:15.

NOTE.-Meditation is to the soul what digestion is to the body. It a.s.similates, appropriates, and makes personal and practical that which has been seen, heard, or read.

2. When did David say he would praise G.o.d with joyful lips?

"_When I remember Thee_ upon my bed, _and meditate on Thee_ in the night-watches." Ps. 63:6.

3. How will such meditation be to one who loves G.o.d?

"My meditation of Him shall be _sweet_." Ps. 104:34.

4. In what does the psalmist say the man who is blessed delights and meditates?

"His delight is in _the law of the Lord_; and in _His law_ doth he meditate day and night." Ps. 1:2.

5. With what adversary do we constantly have to contend?

"Be sober, be vigilant: because _your adversary the devil_, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.

6. When is a man tempted?

"But every man is tempted, when _he is drawn away of his own l.u.s.t, and enticed_." James 1:14.

7. That we may not be overcome, what are we told to do?

"_Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation_: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt. 26:41.

8. How constantly should we pray?

"Pray _without ceasing_." 1 Thess. 5:17. "Continuing _instant_ in prayer."

Rom. 12:12.

NOTE.-This does not mean that we should be constantly bowed before G.o.d in prayer, but that we should not _neglect_ prayer, and that we should _ever be in a prayerful frame of mind_, even when walking by the way or engaged in the duties of life,-ever ready to send up our pet.i.tions to heaven for help in time of need.

9. That we might be prepared for His coming, what admonition did Christ give?

"_Take ye heed, watch and pray_: for ye know not when the time is.... And what I say unto you I say unto all, _Watch_." Mark 13:33-37. See also Luke 21:36.

10. Why are watchfulness and prayer especially imperative in the last days?

"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Rev. 12:12.

Lord, what a change within us one short hour Spent in Thy presence will prevail to make!

What heavy burdens from our bosoms take!

What parched grounds refresh, as with a shower!

We kneel, and all around us seems to lower!