Secret Prayer
221
and purity of Christ. It is only as we behold Jesus that we desire to be
like Him, only as we view His righteousness that we hunger and thirst
to possess it; and it is only as we ask in earnest prayer, that God will
grant us our heart’s desire.
God’s messengers must tarry long with Him, if they would have
success in their work. The story is told of an old Lancashire woman
who was listening to the reasons that her neighbors gave for their
minister’s success. They spoke of his gifts, of his style of address, of
his manners. “Nay,” said the old woman, “I will tell you what it is.
Your man is very thick with the Almighty.”
When men are as devoted as Elijah was and possess the faith that
he had, God will reveal Himself as He did then. When men plead with
the Lord as did Jacob, the results that were seen then will again be
seen. Power will come from God in answer to the prayer of faith.
Because the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by
continual communion, His service for heaven was without failure or
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faltering. Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders
of the people, Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity by
prayer. In order to be a blessing to men, He must commune with God,
from Him obtaining energy, perseverance, steadfastness.
The Saviour loved the solitude of the mountain in which to hold
communion with His Father. Through the day He labored earnestly
to save men from destruction. He healed the sick, comforted the
mourning, called the dead to life, and brought hope and cheer to
the despairing. After His work for the day was finished, He went
forth, evening after evening, away from the confusion of the city,
and bowed in prayer to His Father. Frequently He continued His
petitions through the entire night; but He came from these seasons of
communion invigorated and refreshed, braced for duty and for trial.
Are the ministers of Christ tempted and fiercely buffeted by Satan?
So also was He who knew no sin. In the hour of distress He turned to
His Father. Himself a source of blessing and strength, He could heal
the sick and raise the dead; He could command the tempest, and it
would obey Him; yet He prayed, often with strong crying and tears.
He prayed for His disciples and for Himself, thus identifying Himself
with human beings. He was a mighty petitioner. As the Prince of life,
He had power with God, and prevailed.