Chapter 77—Prayer Our Stronghold
Amid the perils of these last days, the only safety of the youth lies in
ever-increasing watchfulness and prayer. The youth who finds his joy
in reading the word of God, and in the hour of prayer, will be constantly
refreshed by drafts from the fountain of life. He will attain a height
of moral excellence and a breadth of thought of which others cannot
conceive. Communion with God encourages good thoughts, noble
aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, and lofty purposes of action.
Those who thus connect themselves with God are acknowledged by
Him as His sons and daughters. They are constantly reaching higher
and still higher, obtaining clearer views of God and of eternity, until
the Lord makes them channels of light and wisdom to the world.
How to Pray
But prayer is not understood as it should be. Our prayers are not to
inform God of something He does not know. The Lord is acquainted
with the secrets of every soul. Our prayers need not be long and loud.
God reads the hidden thoughts. We may pray in secret, and He who
sees in secret will hear, and will reward us openly.
The prayers that are offered to God to tell Him of all our wretched-
ness, when we do not feel wretched at all, are the prayers of hypocrisy.
It is the contrite prayer that the Lord regards. “For thus saith the high
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and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell
in the high and holy place, and with him also that is of a contrite and
humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart
of the contrite ones.”
Prayer is not intended to work any change in God; it brings us into
harmony with God. It does not take the place of duty. Prayer offered
ever so often and ever so earnestly will never be accepted by God in
the place of our tithe. Prayer will not pay our debts to God....
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