622
October 1928
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K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
thew Henry quaintly says: “W e are likely to have most comfort in those friends that we pray most definitely for.” Many have found this true, and maintain a prayer list, praying for certain persons on certain days. Eph. 1 :15-23 presents another prayer, rich in suggestions for the prayer life. This also begins with the assertion: “I cease not to give thanks fo r you.” These believers also are assured that he "makes mention” o f them in his prayers. Paul may have maintained a list o f the lead ing Christians in these primeval churches. He must have given much time daily to prayer on behalf o f those whom he con sidered the seed o f the church of the world. Let us notice carefully the burden of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians. He prays not that they may have easier lives and be freed from persecution. He is not concerned that they should have great riches or honors. He wants them to have “ the Spirit o f wisdom and revelation in the knowledge o f Him” (v. 17). He knew that if Christ could gain possession of their understanding, Satan could not gain possession of their passions. What did he especially desire their spiritual understanding to grasp? ( 1 ) “ The hope o f His calling” (v. 18). It is not enough for Christians to have some warm affections. They must have clear understanding o f particular truths in or der to grow. W e have been called. Do we realize the hope there is in our calling? Are we awake to the immense privileges we have in Christ and the expectations we may have. with respect to the life to come? Here is knowledge that will quicken,'us to the utmost diligence in ser vice and patience in tribulations. (2) Paul prays that they may under stand “what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints’’ (v. 18). Great joy must come to the Christian when he gomes to see that not only has the Christian an inheritance in Christ (v. 11), but that 1 Christ has an inheritance in the saints. All true believers have been made a part of the Lord’s portion which is His chosen people (Deut. 32:9). Those who are in His possession cannot question His power to bring them safely into His presence (Jn. 17:24). (3) Paul prai's that they may “ know what is the exceeding greatness o f His power” (v. 19). The power by which we are kept (1 Pet. 1:5) is the power which “ raised Him from the dead” (v. 20) and placed Him “far above all principality and power, might and dominion, and every name that is named” (v. 21). It has also “put all things under His feet?’ and made Him “ head over all things to the church” (v. 2 2 ). The knowledge of this power will bring us practical belief in the all-sufficiency of God. Is there anything more desirable than that we should know experimentally the mighty power of the grace by which we have been saved? Let us pray, not only that we ourselves may have an ever growing conception of this power, but that others in the church may permit this power to work in them. Another of Paul’s prayers for the Ephesians is recorded in chapter 3 :14-21. He calls upon God to (1) “grant them ac cording to the riches o f His glory to be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man" (v. 16). There are few professing Christians who are not in
Our attention is next turned to the prayer of Rom. 1 :8-10. This begins with thanksgiving to God for the firm faith of those to whom he was writing. Seven of Paul’s epistles begin with such thanks giving. Is it not a good habit to begin everything with praise to God? If in our hearts we make Him the alpha and omega of every letter, every song, every testimony, every course of action, we are far more liable to receive favor from Him. Do we often express our love to friends, not only by praying for them, but by thanking God for them?- W e fear that many have not acquired this worthy habit. Paul had no personal acquaintance with many of these Romans, yet here he is praising God for their gifts and graces. In Acts 28:15 we read that when some of these Roman Christians met Paul, he "thanked God and took “Courage!’ This thankful spirit is contagious and should be cultivated as a means of quickening others. How many o f us could give our friends such assurance as Paul gave these Chris tians? “ God is my witness . . . . . that without ceasing I make mention o f you always in my prayers?’ (v. 9). He not only exhorted others to constancy in in tercessory prayer, but observed the rule himself (1 Thess. 5:17; Eph. 6:18). There is no'greater kindness that we can do our friends than to remember them regularly at the throne of Grace. Often» it is the only kindness that is within our power, and surely we should not neglect such a means o f blessing which God has placed within the grasp of the humblest of His children. To “pray without ceasing” does not mean doing nothing else but praying. It means that we keep up stated times for prayer and that our habit in every time o f need is silently to look to God for help. Prayer and performance must go hand in hand. The words “I make mention of you’% are suggestive . 1 It is easy to say “ God bless .everyone I know—Amen 1” It is another thing to expressly mention those we love by name. This we do, not to in form God, but as an evidence of our own personal concern for individuals. Mat
IV. Prayer o f Thanksgiving fo r the Church aft Thessalonica. I Thess. 1:2-5. 1. For their consecrated lives. Vs. 2, 3. 2. For the Gospel of power. Vs. 4, 5. T F THE Psalmist is the master of 1 thanksgiving in the Old Testament, Paul certainly wins this title for the New Testament. His epistles are full of
thanksgiving and ex hortations to believ ers to cultivate this grace. He shows that thanksgiving^ is an element in which faith becomes abun dant and that there is little true prayer
where a thankless heart exists. Bishop Moule once said: “ No heart is more vulnerable to doubt and spiritual de lusion than the unthankful heart which will not walk in the sunshine of the Lord.” It seems to be well attested in Christian experience that faith and thanksgiving are twins of one birth (Phil. 4:6 ). There cannot be victory where these do not dwell side by side. The prayers of Paul recorded in Scrip ture are most illuminating as to how one who prays “in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18; Rom. 8:26; Jude 20) will address God. Our .first glimpse of him, is upon his knees with a company o f believers at Ephesus (Acts 20:36-38). He was leav ing for Jerusalem for the last time. In stead of parting in’ a banquet, they parted in a prayer meeting, a fitting way for Christians to part. “ They all wept bitterly” (v. 37). It is probable that the affectionate expressions Paul used in prayer, brought tears to the eyes of all. Like the tears o f Jonathan and David (1 Sam. 20:41), they were tears of love and mutual endearment. Paul had often shed tears in preaching and praying for these people. These part ing tears were a grateful return. Chris tian leaders who are known as men of prayer, are usually not left without pray ing friends who will mourn their depar ture and support them by their prayers as they journey onward.
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