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Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in America.
Clyde M. Narramore, Ed.D.
hearted in our prayer life. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). The best prayer warriors I know are ones who pray seriously with the greatest ear nestness. Thirdly, we cannot expect our prayers to be answered if we do not pray with faith. Not faith in our judgment of what we need, but faith in the fact that God hears us and will give us what is needed when it is appropriate. Remember the Scrip ture, “ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24). A further condition of successful prayer is righteousness. W e cannot expect God to hear us if we harbor sin in our lives. In James 5:16 we read, “ Confess your faults one to an other, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fer vent prayer of a righteous man avail- eth much.” Many people do not real ize that God clearly says: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). Lastly, obedience is required of us if we are to receive an answer to our prayers. “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22). These five conditions — contrition, whole-heartedness, faith, righteous ness, and obedience comprise the con ditions of successful prayer. This in struction is from God’s Word and you may depend upon it! R ea l Pa ren ts When I enrolled m y child in school, one question they asked was whether the parent was real or step. M y child is adopted, but the birth certificate shows the parents as natural. The child knows. Is it necessary to tell the truth to outsiders? What makes a parent real? I like your spirit! You infer that parents can love an adopted child just as much as one to whom they have
P sy ch o lo g y and P ra y e r I would, believe that you are ac quainted with the books and sermons of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, and possibly with the work of Dr. William Parker. It would seem that the evangelical Bible-believing authorities want no part of their teaching; placing their teachings on the level with psychiatry and psychology. M y first question— in your opinion is Dr. Peale drawing his prayer teach ing and ideas from the combined teaching of Christian Science, Unity and New Tbought? Most of us pray a petition prayer, but is there such a prayer as the prayer of affirmation? Dr. Peale says, “Never use a nega tive thought in prayer . . . only posi tive thoughts get results.” I am praying for a change of occu pation. Should I pray “Please God, open up a desirable work,” or should I say “ Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the work you are opening up for me” ? Now for the big question— “ In prayer, where does the power of psychology end qnd the power of God begin?” An answer from you w ill be greatly appreciated. Thank you. M.M.H. I do appreciate your fine letter, and 1 believe that the questions you have raised are vital ones. I do not feel that it is my place tq criticize or judge other people. Certainly each of us is accountable to God who will judge all of our deeds. However, in regard to prayer, we believers are given very definite teaching and there is surely no ex cuse for erring if we know Him and if we. read His Word. One of the conditions of successful prayer is contrition. This is given in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Secondly, we must be whole-
given birth. A host of parents who have adopted children will agree with you. No doubt the school would have been more accurate and a little wiser to have asked if the parent was “ nat ural” rather than “real” . I do believe, however, that the school has asked the question in the interest of the child. When teachers know a child’s background, they can understand and work more effectively with him. Not long ago I was consulted about a child who was having serious dif ficulty at home and at school. When I learned that the boy was adopted, I understood why his temperament and ability varied so much from the two other children in the family. I understood why he didn’t look like the other children, why his mental ability differed so much, and why the parents had the attitudes they did. Being furnished with this back ground, I was able to assist the teach er as well as the parents. In a short time we helped the youngster make a satisfactory adjustment at home and at school. In regard to “ telling the truth to outsiders,” I believe, of course, that if we say anything it should be the truth. Furthermore, I would suggest that any organization like the school which works with, and cares for our children more during their waking hours of the week than the parents do, are not “ outsiders” . I think teach ers are “ insiders” . They are respon sible for our children. By the very nature of their association they set an example for them, they instruct them and they help to establish their life habits. As to “what makes a parent real,” I think we would agree on these: one who wants and loves his child, one who spends time with his child, one who is inspired by his child, one who understands his child, one who pro vides for his child and one who guides and trains his child.
Readers are invited to submit questions which will be answered in future issues. Address questions to Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, King's Business, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, California.— ED.
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