Pray For The Kingdom,! OR, THOUGHTS ON THY KINGDOM GOME." BY REV. JOHN S. McCLUNG. Tray For the Peace of Jerusalem."— Fs. 122: 6. BV 210 .M12 1895 PRESS OF THE MIRROR, WICHITA, KANSAS. - \ J in ^ >l (N r^v ► tH *^ v\ 1 ^ ^~-> 1 w »-n r^ 1 z ^ 183 igdom t:^ lO ^ G J5- ti «i % <^ O n5 > O M cQ is: (^ Fray For The Kingdom, OR, TPIOUGHTS ON THY KINGDOM GOME." BY REV. JOHN S. McCLUNG, Wichita, Kansas. Tray For the Feace of JeruDalem." — Fs. 122: 6. PRESS OF THE MIRROR, W3 CHITA, KANSAS. 1895. COPYRTOTTTUD BY John S. McClung, 1895. Single copies sent postage paid, 25 cents. Five copies sei postpaid to one address, $1,00. When pastors, or others, ord twenty or more copies sent in one package, they to pay carria- 15 cents each. The cash must accompany all orders. Usual ra to dealers. Write names and directions plainly. Address, l< J. S. McClung, Wichita, Kansas, CONTENTS. Chapter i. The D3peaclence of the Gospel for Success on Prayer. Chaptp:r ti. Bible Exhortations to Constancy In Prayer. Chapter hi. All Christians Should Learn to Pray. Chapter iv. Conditions of Successful Pra3^er. Chapter v. What Prayer Can Accomplish. Chapter vi. Further Illustrations of the Results of Prayer. Chapter vii. For What Shall We Pray? Chapter viii. For What Shall We Pray?— Continued. Chapter ix. Personal Responsibility. Chapter x. Obstacles in the Way. Chapter xi. Young- People's Societies and the Coming- of the King-dom. ChAP'^^ER XII. Will You Not Pray for the Kino-dom? the king-dom than at the family altar. There is something- so beautiful, so touching-, in the entire circle joining- in fervent pra3'er for the spread of the g-Q. ^jl and for the salvation of the perishing-. But alas! this is asigfht too sel- dom witnessed in these latter days. In so many Christian homes the family altar has been broken down; in so man}' others it was never erected. How much better and deeper the re- lig-ious influence upon all connected with the family when the incense of morning and even- ing- pra3^er ascends in the home. Here is some- thing- that demands the utmost dilig-ence of pastors. Before parting- with my readers I desire to make two requests. One is, that they may overlook the literary and other defects of this little volume. The other, that all who read it may earnestly pray that the Lord may bless the reading- of these pag-es to stimulating- His people to greater prayerfulness and to g-reater activity in the service of Christ. John S. McCi^ung. Wichita, Kansas, Aug:ust 6, 1895. PRAY FOR THE KINGDOM. CHAPTER 1. The: Dkpkndence of thk Gospel for Suc- cess ON Prayer. "Thy Kingdom Come." T^HE form of prayer which our Lord, taught ■*■ his disciples has been universally admired ; so beautiful, so brief, yet so comprehensive. It g^ives utterance to all the needs of humanity; while it embraces all that pertains to the king-dom of God. And it should never be forg-otten that the first petition in this sum- mary is prayer for the king-dom; teaching- by implication that our first and most important praj^ers should be for the prosperity of Zion. Hence if we follow the instructions of the dear Master, we will plead first and above all for the building- up of his king-dom. But this is not the way we usually do; we are apt to ask for almost everj^thing else, then we may, in a few sentences, pray for "The 8 peace of Jerusalem." In so many public prayers, at least, intercession for the success of the Lord's work is left away in the back- ground. It has been remarked that some of the most noted preachers of our land in their public praj^ers do not m.ention sacred or relig- ious interests, outside of those of their own churches. Often, too, in prayer meetings the petitions do not take a much wider range. But this is not as it should be. We should feel the deepest concern for the welfare of the Redeem- er's kingdom in all the earth. Our interest in His cause should not be limited by the narrow boundaries of our church community, but our hearts should go out toward "the regions be- 3^ond." This we must do if we tenderly remem- ber and faithfully obey the command of our Saviour. And the object of these pages is to try and stir up God's people to greater prayerf ulness in behalf of Zion. I want to influence His people, as far as in me lies, to plead importunately, to wrestle mJghtily with the God of Jacob for the advancement of his kingdom. May His divine blessing abundantly rest upon the effort. And at the very beg-iiiniiig- of this little book, in which Christians are so earnestly entreated to g-ive themselves unto prayer, it will be well to notice an inference that may be drawn. Persons mig-ht suppose the author considered that prayer was everything-; that it was all that is necessary to advance the king-- dom of God. But he bag's leave to assure his readers that this treatise is not built upon one idea; but that while the attention is turned to one great means of advancing- the king-dom, st^i other ag-encies are by no means over- looked. The cause of Christ cannot be built up without active effort. The g'ospel must be preached; the word of life must be g^iven to dying- men. Without this, prayer is in vain. Just so, we cannot content ourselves by prav- ing- without giving- of our means, without mak- ing- sacrifices for our holy religion. Praying without paying will not convert the world. These means of grace are all necessary; ihej must be employed to accomplish the Lord's Vv'ork. But this book is based on the assumption that at this age of the church, prayer is not 10 keeping- pace with the other ag-encies em- ployed; is not offered in due proportion. Hence so many efforts are without avail; the power is lacking-, so that there are not the results there should be from the ag-encies used. More prayer is needed to secure divine efficiency and g-rander results. And one rea- son, no doubt, why more prayer is not offered is because the connections between it and the coming- of the king-dom is not fully understood. The importance, the absolute necessity of prayer is not realized. Christians in g-en^al appear to think that it is well to pray for the success of the g-ospel; that this sacred duty should not be neglected; yet few seem to com- prehend the fact that wc cantlot expect any g-racious results without prayer. But this is the case, for the gospel, of itself, is powerless; the truth of itself cannot chang-e the hearts and lives of men. It makes no difference how earnestly the g-ospel may be preached, how forcibly the truth may be pre- sented, this alone cannot bring- men into the king-dom. "Not by mig-ht, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.'* 11 "Without mc 3'e can do nothing*." The word needs to be accompanied, as at Pentecost, b\^ the power of the Hoh^ Ghost; as at Corinth, "In demonstration of the Spirit and of power," or as at Thessolonica, "Our g-ospel came not unto jou in word onl}^, but also in power and in the Hoh' Ghost." And when the divine Spirit accompanies the word, producing- con- viction and conversion, it is in answer to pra^-er. He does not come unbidden, unsoug-ht. He does not visit churches and communities in saving- power without being- entreated. The Father bestows his Spirit upon those "who ask him." When the Holy Spirit descends, bring- ing the blessing-s of salvation, we may not know who, but some have been praying-. It is true that the Lord loves the souls of men; loved them so as to provide a most costly re- demption, and now his g-reat, compassionate heart yearns to save. Yet for all this he "will be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them." "Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find;" these are the only condi- tions on which success is promised. Of course we must not overlook nor under- 12 value the intercession of our great Hig"!! Priest, still if prayer is not offered we have no reason to expect the cause of Christ to make any advance, or that sinners will bebroug-ht to the Saviour. It is like this: There may be a loco- motive, complete in all its parts, still that per- fect machine can accomplish nothing- till steam g-ives it pov/er. So in the Lord's v/ork the most earnest efforts may be put forth, yet there may be no results, because the power of the Holy Spirit, which comes in answer to prayer, is lacking-. Hence if earnest cries do not ascend to Israel's God, if there are no earnest wrestling-s, the most faith fitl w^ork can- not be expected to produce any results. Turn to Paul's epistles and see hov/ he implores Christians to pray for him. "Breth- ren, pray for us." "Praying- always, with all prayer and supplications in the Spirit .... and for me." "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be g-loriiied." With such burning- words as these, he entreated the prayers of others on his behalf. He seemed assured that he could be successful in his work only in answer to 13 pra3^er. And if he, the g^reat inspired apostle, was thus dependent for results on the prayers of others, how much more are the Lord's ser- vants now dependent for success on the prayers of others in their behalf. Here, doubtless, is the reason why there is such a wide difference in the success of the same minister in different fields of labor. At times a man has had remarka.ble success; there is almost a constant revival, and all the lines of church work move on splendidly. On the strength of his reputation he is called to another charg-e. But how are the mig-hty fallen! Here his labors are fruitless and he utterly fails. Often the true explanation, no doubt is, one w^as a prayerful people, while the other was not. Would that it could be impressed upon Christians — burnt into them, that the prosperity of Zion depends on the prayers offered in her behalf. For then far more of those who really regard her welfare would be almost chained to their knees in earnest, wrestling prayer for her at the throne of grace. CHAPTER II. Bible Exhortations to Constancy in Prayer. A S these pag-es will be occupied so larg-cly -**■ in urg-ing- Christians to constancy in prayer, it will be well to show Scripture authority for this. To most people this mig-ht seem unnecessary, but this is a strang-e world, and there are some who seem to be afraid of people being- too prayerful. The}^ do not deem it wise to press the matter of devot- ing- a g-ood portion of the time to prayer. Relig-ious newspapers have refused to publish articles that exhorted to g-reater devotion in prayer, yet their columns were open to almost any other contributions from the same pen. But it is easy to show that there is not much dang-er of g'oing- beyond the exhortations and the examples of the word. Our Saviour spoke a parable "To this end, that men oug-ht always to pray and not to faint." If we follow the example of the poor widow who is here commended we will 15 come with importunit}- before the Lord. If our petitions are not g-r anted at once, we will press our suit. We also have the example of the Man of sorrows himself. When upon earth he spent much of his time in prayer. We are told how he often retired alone to pray; some- times rising- a great while before day, or g"oing- out into a mountain and continuing- "all nig-ht in prayer unto God." The old patriarch wrestled the whole night, till the breaking- of the da}^ and still refused to let go without the blessing-. The Psalmist declares. "Even- ing-, morning-, and at noon will I pray and cry aloud." "At midnight will I arise and g-ive thanks unto thee because of thy rig-hteous judg-ments." "But I g-ive myself unto prayer'' There, too was "Anna, a prophetess," that honored handmaid of the Lord, she "departed not from the temple, but served God with fast- ings and prayers nig-ht and day." When Herod cast Peter into prison, "Praj^er was made without ceasing- of the church unto God for him." Then when we g-et over to Paul's epistles he commands in the most unmistak- able lang-uage to give ourselves to prayer. 16 As "Pray without ceasing-," "Continuing- in- stant in prayer," "Praying- always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit," "Con- tinue in prayer." Thus the call to unceasing- prayer ring-s out clear and distinct all throug-h the word. It is plain to be seen, then, that there is no dang-er of g-oing- beyond the precepts of the Bible in this respect. We cannot g-ive too much of our lives to prayer. And I want to exert what influence I can in this little book, to induce Christians to g-ive more of their time to prayer. I do want that they should plead more earnestly, more importunately, "Thy king-dom come." More of God's people should make prayer to a g-reater extent the occupation of their lives. This should be their business, the main thing- to which their life is really de- voted. In the morning- beg-in to pray; as the hours pass by continue in prayer, and so week by week and year by year. It is not meant by this that the person cannot eng-ag-e in some occupation, for a person can ardently pursue his calling- yet g-ive his days to prayer. We are not to suppose that we can eng-ag-e in prayer only 17 wlien we take time and kneel down. It should be clearly understood that acceptable prayer can be offered at any time, and in any place. While lyin^ on the bed awake at nig-ht, while walking- or riding- along- the road, or while the hands are busily employed in daily toil. When- ever the mind is free to think and the lips to move, then acceptable prayer can ascend. Some have the sweetest seasons of communion with God while they are most busily eng-ag-ed at work. The impressions will remain with me to my death that were made in my youth by read- ing- an account of "The Praying Reaper." It was before the days of modern machinery, when they reaped the g-rain with a sickle. This man went out in the morning- to reap, and he spent the whole day in prayer. He found at nig-ht he had reaped more than an}^ day during- the harvest, and it had been one of the happiest of his life. He alwa3'S looked back to it as a day of Heaven upon earth. And who can tell what the prayers of that g'odly man accomplished that day? Were we faith- ful in improving- our opportunities we could 18 all have such da^'s of Heaven upon earth. But let no one imag-ine that because we can pray acceptabl}^ while busy at work, that this will-suffice, and that hence we need not take any time for prayer. The Lord cannot be put off in that manner. It is a difficult matter to cheat the Almig-hty. If we are not willing- to g-ive some of our time to devotion the Lord is likely to reject that which we offer during- our working- hours. If we want to give our time to the Lord in the way that will be most useful, we cannot do better than to spend it in prayer. It is prayer that moves the Lord to exert his power to ad- vance his king-dom; this is according- to the method of his administration. He has g-iven prayer that prominent place; constituted it the great agency for building up his cause on the earth. Since this is the case there is little danger of spending too much time at the throne of grace. There is something very touching in the life of the late Dr. Bonar. He had always been a man of prayer, but as the years rolled by his seasons of devotion length- ened, so that in his later years that venerable 19 man was not satisfied unless he had spent from three to six hours in prayer, out of the twenty- four. And while his m.inistry was wonderfully successful, yet eternity may reveal that he ac- complished more for the kingdom of God by his pra3'ers than he did in any other wa}'. Some mig-ht suppose that a life of prayer must be somewhat gloomy. That it would to some extent cast a dark shadow over the life. But nothing could be further from the truth. The one who gives his life to prayer dv/ells nearer, perhaps, than all others "In the secret place of the Most High; abiding under the shadow of the Almighty." This constancy in prayer keeps the person near to God, in har- mony and sympathy with him. Thus his pres- ence, favor and love are secured, so that the "Peace of God, that passeth all understand- ing," pervades the heart and life. Do we want to lead happy lives? We cannot render this as certain in any other way as by giving our lives to prayer. A word of caution may here be in place, (though it is uncertain how often it might prove to be necessary, ) agonizing prayer makes 20 a greater drain upon tTie vital forces tlian the hardest mental labor. Prudence and g-ood judg-ment should be exercised, lest the powers of endurance be overtaxed. Some by pleading- too long- and earnestly have broug-ht on mental prostration. Care should be taken that we maintain our standings, in every respect, as wise, prudent Christians. CHAPTER III. All Chrlstians Should Lkakn to Pray. JWI ANY who read the title of this chapter ^ ' *■ will think it a blunder, or a contradic- tion. For, as they believe, all Christians, as a matter of course, do learn to pray. Would that all did; but it is a sad fact that there are too many prayerless Christians; that is, those who at least do not pray before others. Nearly every pastor knows this too Vv^ell. In almost every church there are those who g-ive evidence of piety, yet as far as taking- part in prayer before others is concerned their lips are sealed; under no consideration can the}^ be induced to make the attempt. Some of these, I am sorry to say, when closely questioned, have to admit that they are nearly, or quite, strangers to secret prayer. This is a mortifying fact, still there is scarcely a pastor, who has exercised fidelity on this point, but has found those among- his people v/ho are leading- lives destitute of prayer. One great reason wh}^ there are so many church members who will not pray before others, is that pastors do not urg-e this duty 22 upon those received into the church, as they should. There is so much in getting- started rig-ht, and if, when .youn«- people and others are received on profession, pastors should urg-e this duty upon them, the most of them would beg-in this duty. Then is the time to com- mence a life of pra3^er, and if neg-lected then it is so much harder to begin in after years. Still at whatever period in life people begin to pray, they usually find it hard at the commencement. There are scarcely any who do not find it a difficult task at first; perhaps they are ashamed that they cannot pray any better, and are dis- couraged. But the only way is to keep on and learn to pray by pra3dng. Just as the case of a man who became noted in the history of our country.* He had been a member of the church for years, but had never taken part in prayer meeting. One Sabbath his pastor preached on the subject. After the sermon he told the pas- tor he was convinced that it was his duty to take part, and to call on him hereafter. So the next prayer meeting the pastor requested him to lead in pra3^er. He did wretchedly, however, *S'i.one"\vall Jackson. 23 yet lie said to the pastor: "I feel that it is my duty, and I want you to call on me." After a few attempts the pastor went to him and said kindly: "Perhaps I had betternot callon you." But he persisted: "It is my duty, call on me." He blundered along- and learned to pra}^ and the petitions that fell from his lips in later years w^ere simply marvelous. He will be re- membered for his pra^^ers almost as much as for his brilliant deeds. Let no one seek to excuse him.self or her- self from praying- because it is hard. If this excuse were valid, as we have seen, then all w^ould be exempt. We should faithfull}^ meet this oblig-ation, the same as any other. The way to look at it is, "It is m}^ duty, and by the help of God I will keep on trying- until I can pray." And in almost everj^ case where a per- son is faithful it is not long- before pra3^er be- comes easy and affords the sweetest enjoyment. But whether it becomes easy and yields enjoy- ment or not, it is a sacred duty, and every Christian should learn to pray. CHAPTER IV. Conditions of Succe:ssfuIv Praykr. TN order to pray acceptably and prevailing-ly for the corning- of the king-dom several thing-s are necessary. Only a few of these can be mentioned. One is a deep interest in the welfare of the church and of the souls of men. These interests need to be deeply, warmly cherished; they should lie very near the heart. We should bear something- of the love for those precious interests that the Lord himself bears. We should have such a deep concern for the welfare of the church that we can cry with the Psalmist: "If I forget thee, O Jeru- salem, let my right hand forget her cunning-." And our hearts should be so burdened for the salvation of our fellow men that we can say with the apostle: "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for others is that they may be saved." "I have g-reat heaviness and continueil sorrow in my heart" for those on the way to ruin. Or with the weeping- prophet: *'0 that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I mig-ht weep day and 25 nig-ht for the slain of the daiirrhters of mj peo- ple." Our prayers will not amount to very much unless we do have something- of this deep solic- itude for the welfare of the church and for the souls of men. We must also have an earnest desire for the coming- of the kingdom. This naturally follows. If we feel a deep, heartfelt interest in the welfare of Zion, as a matter of course we must desire her prosperity. If our hearts are burthened for the salvation of the perishing-, we will long- to see them broug-ht to Jesus. We will feel that we cannot endure it unless others secure eternal life. We need to g-et the welfare of the church and of the souls of men on our very heart of hearts; then with burthened, breaking- hearts, we can but plead, "Thyking-- dom come." Again, if our prayers are going- to avail anything we must seek to lead blameless lives before God and before our fellow men. If we lead inconsistent, unholy lives, no difference how earnestly we might plead in behalf of Zion the Lord would turn away and refuse to answer: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, 26 the Lord will not hear me." Then if the un- saved see us leading- inconsistent, wicked lives it turns them ag-ainst relig-ion. O how many professed Christians do such a world of harm by their manner of life. Ah, if we desire to advance the interests of the king-dom we must endeavor to walk very closely in the footsteps of the holy Saviour. "What manner of persons oug-ht we to be in all holy conversation and g-odliness." Let not the frequenters of the theatre, the dance, the card table or the wine suppers; or the profane, the impure or the g-am- bler ima.g"ine that their prayers are acceptable, and that thus they can help in the Lord's work. No amount of prayer that such can offer can counterbalance the evil they are doing- to their own souls and to the souls of others by their manner of life. Any such practices as these separate between us and our God, and cause him to hide his face from us that he will not hear. One reason, no doubt, why there are not g-reater results from the volume of prayer that does ascend, is that it takes so much prayer to counteract the bad effects of the inconsistent, unholy lives of so many church members. So much prayer is utterly neutralized. That is a hard statement, and would to God it were not true. When will the Israel of God come out fully from the w^orld and be separate — a pecu- liar people? When will the car of salvation be freed of dead weig"hts? If all who have named the name of Christ should lead holy, consecrated lives and would be as active in the Master's service as they should be and as prayerful; in a very few decades the whole world could be broug-ht to Christ. Only one thing- more can be mentioned. We should not only pra}^; we should also put forth corresponding- efforts for the upbuilding of the king-dom. "Faith without works is dead." Work, as well as prayer, is required to build up the cause of the Redeemer, and every one who wishes that cause well should improve every opportttnity for active service. There may be instances where persons are so situated that they have no opportunity of rendering- active service; under these circum- stances prayer is the whole duty. But such cases are rare; g-enerally when the pra3^er is earnestly offered: "Lord what wilt thou have 28 me to do?" some line of usefulness will be opened. It is too bad that there is such an amount of talent wrapped up in napkins in our churches; so much latent talent, so much cap- ital unemployed, and hence that bring-s in no returns. So few, comparatively, eng-ag-ed in Christian work. Many in our churches who are best fitted for usefulness do nothing-. They seem to think that all they were broug"ht into the king-dom for, was merely to be saved. They do not consider that the dear Master has any demand upon their time, their talents, and all that they have. Hence they simply fold their hands and try to g-et to Heaven just as easily as possible. There are church mem- bers of thirty or forty years standing* who never yet have made any efforts to win others to Christ and to Heaven. It is to be feared that many in that brig-ht world will wear * 'starless crowns." When will the drones be g-ot to work? V/hen can the latent talent and power in the churches be utilized? At the same time there are a g-reat many who complain and are deeply g-rieved because there is notliiiig- for them to do. At times per- sons cannot find just the kind of work in which the J wish to engag-e. Alf cannot be Sunday school teachers, or superintendents, or preach- ers; yet there are few, as has been said, who earnestly ask the Lord what he would have them do, and are Vvalling- to do what comes to their hands, but what they can find something- in reach to do. And there is one line of effort and usefulness that is open for all; there is one department that is not overcrowded, and never will be; no Christian can ever excuse himself because there is nothing he can do — all can pray. CHAPTER V. What Pkaykr Can Accomplish. TJERE, perhaps, some are readj- to say: *^ -^ "But we want a w^ork that amounts to something; a line of effort by which we can accomplish visible, tangible results. If we merely pray how can we be certain that we have really ever done any good?" No doubt many Christians sincerely think that it would be but little they could do through prayer; hence they do not feel to spend much time in pleading "Thy kingdom come;" while the facts are, perhaps, that there is no other line of effort that promises as large results; there is no other means by which we can accomplish as great and lasting good* nothing in which we can engage that really may do as much to advance the kingdom of God as prayer. Yet it is a severe test of our faith, for in the nature of the case we can know so little of the results. Much of the prayer offered for the coming of the kingdom is of such a nature that nothing- can ever be known of the an- 31 swers. In other departments we can often see the direct results of our efforts; but we can never know in this life just how much our prayers have accomplished. We have simply to leave our prayers in the hands of a faithful Promiser. Our faith, however, should be strong- enoug-h so that we can confidently leave the case in his hands. And when "the mists have rolled away" no one will be disappointed at the results of his earnest wrestling's before the throne of grace. For if a person was so situated that he should devote his entire lifetime to praying for the King-dom, he would accomplish grander results than he could in any other wa}'. Just devote the life to prayer, make that the daily occupation, the one business in which he en- gages, and no one need fear of being dis- appointed when he opens his eyes in eternity and sees the fruits of his life. Let me give a few examples of what persons have accom- plished by their prayers: A pastor had charge of a church forty years, and all through, those }- ears were almost a cojoitijiuous revival, precious souls in large 32 numbers under his ministry kept coming- to Christ. He did not know to what to attribute his success. At the end of those years one of the members of his church died. He never had been very prominent, but in securing- informa- tion for the funeral services he learned that this brother had spent every Saturday night till twelve o'clock for the last forty years in praying- for the blessing- of God to rest upon the labors of his pastor the next day. When the pastor learned of those forty years of prayer in his behalf he knew very well where those forty years of revival came from. Many years ag-o, in Virg-inia, there was a church in which relig-ion was at a ver}^ low ebb. There had been no revival for a long- time and the young- people were growing- up very irre- ligious. This greatly troubled an old gray- headed elder, and one Saturday night he went and knelt down on a bridge near the church and spent the whole night in prayer for the blessing to be sent. During the services in the church the next day a revival began which swept through that country. That old gray- headed man wrestled alone in prayer and pre- vailed. And often one person does wrestle alone with Israel's God and prevail; as in the following- instance given by Prof. Charles G. Finney: A pious man in western New York was sick with consumption. He was poor, and was sick for years. An unconverted merchant of the place used to kindly send him things for his comfort, or for his family. At length it occurred to him that the best return he could make for this kindness would be to pray for the man's salvation. He began to pray, his soul became enthused, and he was led on to a wider field. He knew some thirty churches and ministers, in whom he felt an interest. He set apart certain times to pray for a revival in their churches. He also selected some mis- sion stations in foreign lands. He was very earnest in prayer; he was in such an agony of soul and he struggled so hard for the blessing that at times his family feared he would des- troy his life. In his diary he would write that on such a day he was able to offer the prayer of faith, as he called it, for the out-pouring of the Spirit on such a church, and he trusted 3^ there would soon be a revival there. And the revivals came in very nearly the order he had noted that he had been enabled to offer the prayer of faith. These places included the mission stations in heathen lands and the place where he lived. This latter was a deep and widespread work of g-race, during which the merchant was hopefully converted. It is within the bounds of truth to assert that there were few persons living- at that time who accom- plished more for the Lord than that hopeless invalid. There was the case of another invalid, as related by Mr. Moody: A little cripple lay on her dying- bed. She had given her heart to the Saviour, and she was distressed only because she could do nothing to secure the salvation of others. Her pastor visited her and hearing her complaint, told her that while lying on her sick bed she could pray for those she desired to be saved. He told her to write the names down and then to pray earnestly for them. He went away and thought no more of it. Soon a deep religious interest sprung up in the place, and the churches became nightly crowded. Tlie little cripple was eager to hear of the prog-ress of the work and anxiously in- quired the names of those converted. A few weeks later she died, and among- a roll of papers that was found under her pillow was one bearing- the names of fifty-six persons, every one of whom had been converted during- the meeting's. By each of the names was a little cross, by which the poor crippled saint had checked off the names as they had been reported to her. One more case showing- the possibilities of prayer must be g-iven: The pastor of one of the leading- churches in a larg-e state, and an eminently successful "soul-winner," dates his success in the Master's work to the realization by himself and his people of the power of con- stant and united prayer. Up to that time he had been fairly successful in his ministry, but not more than ordinary. Since this baptism of prayer and of earnest labor came upon him, and larg-ely throug-h him upon his people, it can be justly said that there has been a con- stant revival. Multitudes have been g-athered into the fold, and he has grown wonderfully 36 In power and usefulness as a g-ospel preacher. What might not be accomplished if pastors, with their people g-enerally, became baptized with this spirit of prayer? What gracious revivals could be recorded; what wonderful victories. In view of these instances, and others like them that could be given, how groundless the fear that the seasons of prayer are wasted; that it is time thrown away. Who has accom- plished more, in the same length of time, than those did in the examples just given? True we cannot alwaj^s know the results of our prayers, but we can anchor our souls upon the promises of God, and confidently leave all in his hands. Many of God's dear people are doing this; relying upon the sure promises they are beseiging the throne of grace in be- half of Zion. But their prayers are so compre- hensive, covering as they do almost every de- partment of the broad field, that it is utterly impossible for them to determine when, where or how their petitions are answered. Yet their confidence is such that they sweetly rest on the faithfulness of Jehovah. CHAPTER VI. Further IivI^ustrations of th^ Rksui