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Chapter 21—Prayer for the Sick
In the case of Sister F, there needed to be a great work accom-
plished. Those who united in praying for her needed a work done
for them. Had God answered their prayers, it would have proved
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their ruin. In such cases of affliction, where Satan has control of
the mind, before engaging in prayer there should be the closest
self-examination to discover if there are not sins which need to be
repented of, confessed, and forsaken. Deep humility of soul before
God is necessary, and firm, humble reliance upon the merits of the
blood of Christ alone. Fasting and prayer will accomplish nothing
while the heart is estranged from God by a wrong course of action.
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wicked-
ness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and
that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,
and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when
thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not
thyself from thine own flesh?” “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord
shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. If thou take
away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger,
and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry,
and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity,
and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee
continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones:
and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water,
whose waters fail not.”
It is heartwork that the Lord requires, good works springing from
a heart filled with love. All should carefully and prayerfully con-
sider the above scriptures, and investigate their motives and actions.
The promise of God to us is on condition of obedience, compliance
with all His requirements. “Cry aloud,” saith the prophet Isaiah,
“spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their
transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek Me
daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteous-
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