Power of Prayer
401
meaning and new purpose, and courage and gladness are imparted to
other souls!
The value of song as a means of education should never be lost sight
of. Let there be singing in the home, of songs that are sweet and pure,
and there will be fewer words of censure and more of cheerfulness and
hope and joy. Let there be singing in the school; and the pupils will be
drawn closer to God, to their teachers, and to one another.
As a part of religious service singing is as much an act of worship
as is prayer. Indeed, many a song is prayer. If the child is taught to
realize this, he will think more of the meaning of the words he sings
and will be more susceptible to their power
Instrumental and Vocal—Evening and morning join with your
children in God’s worship, reading His Word and singing His praise.
Teach them to repeat God’s law. Concerning the commandments the
Israelites were instructed: “Thou shalt teach them diligently unto
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thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house,
and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and
when thou risest up.” Accordingly Moses directed the Israelites to set
the words of the law to music. While the older children played on
instruments, the younger ones marched, singing in concert the song of
God’s commandments. In later years they retained in their minds the
words of the law which they learned during childhood.
If it was essential for Moses to embody the commandments in
sacred song, so that as they marched in the wilderness, the children
could learn to sing the law verse by verse, how essential it is at this
time to teach our children God’s Word! Let us come up to the help of
the Lord, instructing our children to keep the commandments to the
letter. Let us do everything in our power to make music in our homes,
that God may come in
Special Worship Period for Sabbath—At family worship [on
Sabbath] let the children take a part. Let all bring their Bibles and each
read a verse or two. Then let some familiar hymn be sung, followed
by prayer. For this, Christ has given a model. The Lord’s Prayer was
not intended to be repeated merely as a form, but it is an illustration of
what our prayers should be—simple, earnest, and comprehensive. In a
18
Education, 167, 168
.
19
Evangelism, 499, 500
.