"Pray One For Another."

by Geo.E.Stockwell | Category: General | Nov 1933

The days in which we live are in many respects dark and dangerous, and among the nations, men of serious thought seem burdened with problems and anxieties which cause some to tremble for fear, not knowing what a day nor an hour may bring forth. Nations are full of unrest, and rumours of war are referred to in the press day by day-even while men are gathered to discuss disarmament and seek a path whereby peace may be assured. Troubles, trials and difficulties abound, problems that men cannot understand or fathom, and children of God though strangers and pilgrims here below (if they live up to their calling) amidst such a scene of perplexity, must go to God for guidance, power and sustainment, if they are to stand for the Lord. Therefore never, perhaps, was there a time when we needed each others prayers more than the present. What a joy to realise that our way of access is ever open, having been opened for us by Him who, having finished the work of atonement, has passed through the heavens to appear before the face of God for us, and in Hebrews 4. 16, we are invited to draw near "with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need." It is through the all-worthy Name that we approach God, and in drawing near may make known all our needs and the requests of our hearts, as children to a Father. The Lord Himself said, "If ye shall ask anything of the Father, He will give it you in My Name ... ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be fulfilled" (John 16. 23, 24).

Whilst realising the need for more prayer, especially private prayer one for another, a little consideration of reference to prayer in the Scriptures, may tend to stimulate us to a healthy habit, and help us to a fuller realization of the possibilities which lie before us.

Moses on the hill top, holding nip his hands-expressive of beseeching Jehovah's favour, shews us the possibility of prevailing prayer. While Moses was thus engaged, it is recorded that "Israel prevailed." But when Moses' hands became heavy, and he let them down, we find it recorded that "Amalek prevailed." Thus it will be with us. If through the weakness of the flesh, we cease to supplicate God's throne we shall find that the flesh will become more and more in evidence and will prevail against us, so that eventually the desire to pray and to wait on the Lord will cease. This means nothing less than spiritual disaster.

We should be greatly encouraged by the thought of how Elijah prayed, and the results that followed, for he "was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months, and he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain and the earth brought forth her fruit." Commenting on this, the Apostle says, "The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working" (see James 5. 16-18).

At this point we are constrained to think of the word, " If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask it shall be done for them " (Matthew 18. 19). Whatever may be the special significance of this passage, we may view it as illustrative of fellowship in prayer. How often we pray alone amid never seek a companion in prayer. Whilst as individuals we may freely pour out our supplications, yet it also seems evident that on occasions it is good to pray with some other of like mind.

A point very necessary for us to remember is that we are not promised all we ask for; indeed, how possible it is to ask for something which is not good for us. Again, there may be some particular reason why a request should not be granted-as witness how the Apostle Paul prayed thrice that the thorn iii

-the flesh which he had, might be removed, but it was not the will of the Lord to remove it. Time word of the Lord to him was "My grace is sufficient for thee: for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12. 9). How true are the words-

Whether Thou dost give or not,

'Tis love that grants and love denies.

To develop the habit of setting aside a certain amount of time for our private prayers is very necessary. We may pray at length at home in private, when we should keep in mind the importance of remembering individuals by name separately to God; particular needs call for special mention, and in general, it is well if we remember something about each one. It is not that God does not know all before we speak, but He desires to hear our voice in the expression of dependence on Him.

Even after a day spent in fellowship with the Lord, know often the adversary tries to gain the victory over us in the evening when we are tired. But whether it be morning, noon, or night, let us seek to know the blessing and help experienced in prayer-Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me at my Father's throne

Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief

My soul has often found relief,

And oft escaped the tempter's snare

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

The prayer of the Lord Jesus recorded in John 17. is full of instruction for us. In it one of the desires expressed, is that His own might be kept, kept from the evil one. Perhaps we rarely pray in such a strain, but since the Lord Himself saw the need of prayer for us that we might be kept from the evil one and from all the evil around, surely we should pray more regarding this matter. One has said that it is not sufficient to pray concerning present attacks of the adversary of our souls, but that we should also ask to be prepared against any further attempts line may make to turn us aside--for it is often in the unguarded moment that he gains the advantage over us. Not only is it well to pray to be kept from the evil one, but let us also keep in mind the principle contained in the words of Jude, verse 1, " Kept for Jesus Christ."

In Matthew 6. 9-15, we have an example of such things as it is good to ask for--noting well the force of, "after this manner pray ye." Careful consideration of these given details would no doubt be of great help to us all as covering a wide field in principle. But above all, let us seek to RECONSIDER THIS MATTER OF PRAYER; and let us ask ourselves whether through pressure of business, and the general rush of the world and its ways, we have become slack and formal in our prayers. The exhortation of James when he wrote, "pray one for another" is a pointed one, which we do well ever to keep in mind and seek to carry out-especially in these days. How much blessing we miss by failing to remember one another in our prayers, we shall never perhaps know down here.

Geo.E.Stockwell | Nov 1933
General