|
XIII.
Prayer and Public Worship
Chapter 141
:
Meditation and Prayer
1. WHAT was one of
Paul's injunctions to Timothy?
"Meditate upon these things;
give thyself wholly to them." Tim. 4:15.
NOTE.-Meditation is to the soul what
digestion is to the body. It assimilates,
appropriates, and makes personal and
practical that which has been seen, heard,
or read.
2. When did David say
he would praise God with joyful lips?
"When I remember Thee upon my
bed, and meditate on Thee in the
night-watches." Ps. 63:6.
3. How will such
meditation be to one who loves God?
"My meditation of Him shall be
sweet." Ps. 104:34.
4. In what does the
psalmist say the man who is blessed delights and
meditates?
"His delight is in the law of the
Lord; and in His law doth he meditate
day and night." Ps. 1:2.
5. With what adversary
do we constantly have to contend?
"Be sober, be vigilant; because
your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1
Peter 5:8.
6. When is a man
tempted?
"But every man is tempted, when he
is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
James 1:14.
7. That we may not be
overcome, what are we told to do?
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not
into temptation: the spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt. 26:41.
8. How constantly
should we pray?
"Pray without ceasing." 1
Thess. 5:17. "Continuing instant in
prayer." Rom. 12:12.
NOTE.-This does not mean that we should be
constantly bowed before God in prayer, but
that we should not neglect prayer,
and that we should ever be in a prayerful
frame of mind, even when walking by the
way or engaged in the duties of life,- ever
ready to send up our petitions to heaven for
help in time of need.
9. That we might be
prepared for His coming, what admonition did
Christ give?
"Take ye heed, watch and pray:
for ye know not when the time is. . . . And what
I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Mark 13:33-37. See also Luke 21:36.
10. Why are
watchfulness and prayer especially imperative in
the last days?
"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth
and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto
you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that
he hath but a short time." Rev. 12:12.
LORD, what a change within us one short hour
Spent in Thy presence will prevail to make!
What heavy burdens from our bosoms take!
What parched grounds refresh, as with a shower!
We kneel, and all around us seems to lower!
We rise, and all, the distant and the near,
Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear.
We kneel, how weak! we rise, how full of power!
Why, therefore, should we do ourselves this
wrong,
Or others, that we are not always strong,
That we are ever overborne with care,
That we should ever weak or heartless be,
Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer,
And joy and strength and courage are with Thee?
ARCHBISHOP TRENCH. |
