was disobedient. Our Lord was the very embodiment of obedience to the will of God. "Why did Jesus choose unlearned and ignorant men as his disciples ? ” A. The writer may have in mind a statement of our Lord in Matthew 112:5, “I thank thee, 0 Father . . . because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” From this we might infer that the disci ples were in the latter category. Christ, however, was basically talk ing about those who were wise in their own conceit, those who thought they knew a lot just because they knew only a little. They felt they did not need any spiritual help and were proud of their religiosity. The illus tration of the child points out one who is completely trusting. Here were individuals capable of having a real, vital, active, virile, faith in the truth which the Lord presented, as well as placing full confidence in the Saviour Himself. No one knows how much academic training any of the disciples had and yet we know that they had the holy privilege of sit ting at the feet of the One who is omniscient. Remember that some of the greatest minds this world has ever seen have been exhibited as babes in their faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the humble, those who think only of the Lord of glory and rejoice in Him, to whom He reveals Himself. “We have been discussing the Lord’s prayer . Some- one said that i f we ju s t used that, it would be enough, inasmuch as it includes oil of the needs fo r every one, and requests that the Lord’s will be done.” A. Properly speaking, the Lord’s Prayer is found in John 17. You are, of course, referring to the prayer our Q. Port Orchard, Wash. — Q* Tulare, Calif. —
Saviour taught to His disciples in Matthew 6. The terminology of this letter is somewhat puzzling since it suggests that this prayer “would be enough.” Saying a prayer does not mean one is following it. Mere re petition of words does not have a magical effect at all. The prayer con tains some wonderful truths, but it requires our actual participation or involvement. See the chronology where the request suggests, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.” Notice that if we are praying in the will of God, we will ask that His divine purposes may be achieved before we pray for our daily bread or any other requests. If we not only prayed this prayer, but also then followed it out, we would find it all-inclusive. We must read and put into practice the rest of the Word to find God’s all- comprehensive principles showing us His directive purpose and desire for our lives. Q. Phoenix, Arix. — “/ would like your opinion on which of these you think is the most important: Bible study, prayer, worship, or service?” A. This is somewhat like asking, “Which is the most delicious: bana nas, peaches, oranges, or apples?" It has been well stated that the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. God certainly de sires our worship, but this means far more than attending church. It symbolizes our entire love, devotion and desires being focused complete ly on Him. He desires the worship of our whole heart. If you serve Him in this manner, you are going to be carrying on a very active and beau tiful prayer life, as well as enjoying the reading and studying of His Word. You will want to render what ever type of service you can for His glory. We should have greater faith in God than we have in our prayers, so that if our prayers are not an- 21
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