by Charlie Grier
Western Itasca Review
January 30, 2003
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We cannot solve all the problems we face at this time, no matter how sincere we are, or how hard we try. Our whole world seems to be upside down and our nation is again faced with war. We may even have personal problems far beyond our ability to cope with, and the 2003 outlook may not be as encouraging as we had hoped. One thing we can do. We can pray. Nothing lifts the spirit like a little time spent in our secret chamber! God still loves us! He can make a way when there is no way!
Then just have a little talk with Jesus.
Let us tell Him all about our troubles.
He will hear our earnest cry,
And He’ll answer bye and bye!
When you feel a little prayer-wheel turning
And you know a little fire is burning –
Just a little talk with Jesus
Makes it right! All right!
The words and music were written by Cleavant Derricks in 1937.
THE FIRST PRAYER IN CONGRESS
December 17, 1777
by
Rev. J. Duche, Chaplain
Lord, our heavenly Father, High and Mighty, King of kings and Lord of Lords, who dost from the Throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all kingdoms, empires and governments; look down in mercy we beseech Thee on these American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor, and thrown themselves only on Thee. To Thee they have appealed for the righteousness of their cause. To Thee do they look up for that countenance and support which Thou alone canst give. Take them therefore Heavenly Father under Thy nurturing care. Give them wisdom to counsel and valor in the field. Defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries. Convince them of the unrighteousness of their cause. And if they persist in their sanguinary purpose, O let the voice of thine own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts; constrain them to drop their weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle.
Be Thou present, O God of wisdom and direct the counsels of this honorable Assembly. Enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation; that the scent of blood may speedily be closed, that order, harmony and peace may be effectively restored, and truth and justice and religion and piety may prevail and flourish among Thy people. Preserve the health of their bodies, and the vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they represent such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world, and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. All this we ask in the name of and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Savior. Amen.
- Uncle Ben’s Quotebook (Baker Book House c1976) p.249
In praying we must not forget that our prayers are to be answered. Some are answered just as we wish; some are answered in a way different from what we wish -- in a better way! Some are answered by a change in us; some by a change in others. Some are answered by the giving of a greater strength to bear trials, and some by the lifting of the trials. Some at once, some in years to come, and some await eternity.
I know not if the blessings sought
Will come in just the way I thought,
But leave my prayer with Him alone
Whose will is wiser than my own.
Assured that He will grant my quest
Or send some answer far more blessed.
--Choice Blessings, Uncle Ben’s Quotebook, p.252
Lord make me a channel of Thy peace
That where there is hatred, I may bring love,
That where there is wrong I may bring the spirit of forgiveness.
That where there is discord, I may bring harmony,
That where there is error, I may bring truth,
That where there is doubt, I may bring faith,
That where there is despair. I may bring hope,
That where there are shadows, I may bring light,
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord grant that I may seek rather
To comfort – than to be comforted;
To understand — than to be understood;
To love – than to be loved;
For it is by giving that one receives;
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven;
It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.
Satan does not fear us but he fears prayer, because God has promised to answer prayer. It has been said, “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”
James 5:16-18
“. . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought her fruit.”
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”