Perhaps there is no subject in the word which touches our spirituality so deeply as that of “prayer”. Prayer, it has been said, is the uplifting of the heart to God. It is more than that: it is getting into close communion with God. It matters not whether we are alone or in company, we can still be with God by prayer. To be oblivious of our surroundings and in communion with Him is the surest way to become spiritually minded. Truly the spiritual mind is the greatest need of the ecclesia of God today. Let us then cultivate it by prayer.
Perhaps prayer is too often viewed as a means whereby we may approach God with our petitions. It certainly is the avenue by which we place them before him, but when they are not granted it becomes, too, a test of our faith. Have you ever considered the prayer of Christ in Matthew 26. 39? If so, has it occurred to you that it was not granted? From a human standpoint Christ’s prayer was, “Let this cup pass from me”. He knew the terrible ordeal before him; and naturally shrank from it. Yet, in submission to his Father’s will, he said, “If this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done”. In this prayer we have a perfect example of submission and obedience to God’s will. Christ the beloved Son did not have his request granted; but, by his communion with the Father, he had gained the strength which enabled him to say to his disciples, “Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that Both betray me”.
Have we that faith? If we, in an agony of despair, bowed before our God with a petition that we might be spared some terrible ordeal, would we acquiesce and have perfect faith, though our request were not granted? It is only when we have reached that attitude of mind that we may become spiritual by our prayers.
To come before God in an abandonment of grief, to pour out to him the sorrows of our heart, is to receive balm and soothing, and a peace which passeth understanding; and we leave God’s presence blessed indeed. To come before the Father with a heart overflowing with happiness and love, to bow before him in thankfulness for his abundant blessings, is to multiply them a hundredfold and enrich our souls. To seek God’s company when we are perplexed or vexed, to ask his patience and guidance, is to be strengthened beyond measure: this is prayer indeed!
And then, when in leisure we wander at will and view his handiwork in the wonders of Nature; when we are awed into speechlessness by some indescribable grandeur, when we hear the gentle murmur of the breeze, the soft sighing of the wind, or the silvery ripple of the water, and in silence we lift the heart to God in mute adoration: surely this, too, is prayer!
When all the world seems harsh and out of tune, when we have thoughts too sacred to confide even to our friends, God is near and we feel his presence, because by prayer we have been lifted from our mundane surroundings and are in communion with him.
Let us, then, in solitude or in the multitude, in Nature or at work, at home or abroad, wherever our paths in life may lead us, always draw near to God in prayer. In this way we come out from the world and become spiritually minded. The closer we are in touch with God the further we must be away from the world.
What could be more beautiful for sisters in Christ than to keep in close touch with the Father at all times? Let him share our joys and sorrows, our prosperity and adversity, our successes and failures. In this way God becomes our friend at all times, the one with whom we share our every confidence.
I urge upon the sisters, who wield such an influence for either good or evil, to pray without ceasing. May we all echo the words of the Psalmist: “Therefore, I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore, I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.”
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay