Thanksgiving in Prayer (continued)' ham’s faithful and obedient servant. We, too, need to follow our Lord ex plicitly in every direction of His. Paul reminds us that we are called to serve the living God (I Thess. 1:9). The prayer the servant uttered, how ever, is the focal point for our interest. This is recorded in this same chapter with verses 12-14 and 27. “And he Said, O LORD God of my master Abra ham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the,city come out to draw water; And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, >1 pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also; let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kind ness unto my master.” First of all there must be a right re lationship with God in order to know for a certainty that we are on the solid ground of faith with the Lord. This is why the Psalmist reminded himself, and us, as well, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Sin separates the believer from God: he doesn’t lose his union, but his communion is broken. It is absolutely impossible to enjoy the full ness of an effective prayer life unless we keep “short accounts” as far as sin is concerned. This is what John meant, when, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he wrote, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to for give us our sins and to cleanse Us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). How helpful and refreshing are the words of David when he reminds us that our Lord never despises a “broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 5,1:17). In the second place, the Lordship of God is acknowledged. His words speak eloquently of the sovereignty of the Lord. Acknowledging the Lordship of Christ means that we are willing to give Him the right of life or death, not only for ourselves, but also-for every
one within the circle of our fellowship. It is one thing to admit this, but it is quite another thing to accept and practice this truth. What would hap pen if death should suddenly strike your home? Could you, with a yielded heart to the Lordship of Christ, say, THE PREACHER'S WIFE There is one person in your church Who knows your preacher's life. She has wept and smiled and prayed with him. And that's your preacher's wife. She knows your pastor's weakest points And knows his greatest power. She has heard him speak in trumpet tone In his great triumph hour. She has heard him groaning in his soul When bitter raged the strife, As hand in his she knelt with him . . . For she's the preacher's wife. The crowd has seen him in his strength When glistened his drawn sword; As underneath God's banner held him Facing the devil's hord. But she knows deep within her heart That scarce an hour before, She helped him pray the glory down Before that fast closed door. You tell your tales of prophets brave Who walked across the world And changed the course of history By the burning words they hurled. But I'll tell how back of them Some women lived their lives. Who wept with them and prayed with them: They were the preachers' wives! “The Lord hath given, the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” This aspect of the believer’s life means that he will also accept the Lord’s right to say “No” to his prayers. Sometimes it is necessary for Him to deny us our petitions, just as He denied Moses’ moving plea that he be permitted to enter the promised land (Deut. 3:25). Often the denial is some- 18
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