02.08. Chapter 08. Prayer in Church Life

Prayer in Church Life Did no other scripture exhort and encourage to prayer, the foregoing passage alone should lead the same often to bend the knee: were no other affairs than those now before us under the influence of prayer, well worth while it is to pray: but in truth there are no matters outside of its scope and influence.

Consider, for example, its place in the working of the corporate life of a local church. In a certain church a large number of members had determined to change the general tone from spirituality to carnality, by introducing secular amusements and the like. After a long period of difficulty, a special gathering was proposed at which this party should meet the senior brethren for discussion. The leader and life ‘of the worldly-minded section, a naturally impetuous man, seized eagerly on the proposal, and evidently purposed that the occasion should be turned to the fullest advantage. But the godly gave themselves to prayer ; and on the very day appointed a serious sickness attacked that brother’s family, and he could not attend the meeting, which proved without him an entire failure from his point of view.

Again, in a certain heathen land a serious difference arose in a very large circle of missionaries. It threatened to issue in a public cleavage, and this before the native Christians and the heathen. The center of the trouble was a wholly sincere but very determined man, one always difficult to persuade or, turn. For months negotiation and prayer had proceeded, in view of the annual missionary conference before which the matter would come; but to within two weeks thereof no sign of reunion was seen. The tension was great, and forbearance was much taxed.

1 Luke 22:32. 2 Psalms 35:2-3. At that point three friends joined for a half-night of prayer, seeking general reviving. About midnight their hearts were powerfully drawn to deal with this special matter, and they found great liberty in spreading out the whole case before the Lord. They specially committed to Him for His definite dealing those mainly responsible, and in particular the beloved worker who had precipitated the crisis. Nor did the spirit of intercession cease to impel them until they were fully assured that the situation was mastered, and that the Lord would effectually intervene. The conference duly met, and for six long sessions, occupying two whole days, discussion proceeded, but without result; and at the close the feeling expressed was that matters must take their course. But one of those who had prayed that night was convinced to the contrary. He had observed that throughout those wearying hours of debate a remarkable restraint had been upon all, so that, in spite of the acute feeling existing, not a speaker had said any word which hurt another. He therefore pointed out that the Lord’s ideal for His church is a oneness that the world would see, and be impressed ;1 and that the Lord could be trusted to bring this to pass, if faith did not fail, but patiently waited upon Him. The next morning the subject was unexpectedly resumed, but without any progress to agreement being apparent. But shortly, to the amazement of nearly all, the very brother who had brought about the crisis said that, contrary to the wishes of those who thought with him, he bad resolved, for the sake of peace, to desist from the course upon which he had thought it right to enter! The happy result was restoration of harmony ; and the Spirit of the Lord, being no longer grieved by dissension, was shortly able to the solution of the original matter of disagreement. The following circumstances, which formed perhaps the earliest such lesson in praying that I had, are recalled from memories of some forty-five years ago. I was then a worker in a certain

Y.M.C.A. The Committee arranged for an address by a well-known higher critic. As this address was to be given to the Bible Class I then led, my duty to protest was clear. The Committee peremptorily rejected the appeal that was organized, and the appointment was confirmed. One evening, after conversing sadly with some friends as to the defeat of our stand for the truth, I was walking to my lodgings, when suddenly, in the street, there was brought before me, almost as by a voice, the promise, "I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father Vs/ho is in heaven,"2 accompanied by the direction, "Go back to Mr. M—- and ask him and his wife to agree with you in asking that — shall not come as is arranged." Never before had I had such an experience; but I went back, and together we presented the request. About three weeks later there appeared in the local papers an announcement that the ecclesiastic in question would be unable to keep the engagements in that city; and the reason was entirely unique. An epidemic of typhoid was raging in the assize town of his county, and the Judges decided to hold the courts elsewhere. They fixed upon his city, and upon one of the days when he was to have been away; and it became his duty to conduct public worship at the customary opening of the assizes, and he could not leave.

1 John 17:21. 2 Matthew 18:19

Turning now to the details of gospel service, we remark that it seems evident from the Bible narratives that the apostles and early pastors and evangelists received no stipend or guaranteed income. It is equally clear that they did not ‘appeal to men for money for their own needs, neither to the Gentiles1 nor to their converts.2 Paul at times supported himself by working at his trade; but whence came the funds for his frequent and extensive journeyings, often by sea, and continuing over so many years? How was the rent of his hired house paid during the two years of his first Roman captivity?

These are the kind of matters that harass so many earnest minds, and in so many quarters retard the work of the gospel.

First let it be remembered that those early preachers thought it part of their lot and privilege to suffer hardship with the gospel, as good soldiers of Christ Jesus. And for the rest of the question, let the answer be sought in the heavy apostolic emphasis on prayer as the believer’s sufficient resource. These men believed that the silver and the gold are the Lord’s. Their infallible Scriptures had assured them of this.3 and that He can turn the streams whithersoever He pleases.4 To Him therefore they applied, taking it for granted that so faithful a Master can be relied upon to supply to His servants all that is really needful and good. And at this late date in the church’s history there are still found those, and they number some thousands, who go about the work of God, in home and foreign lands, following the same plan. And we know from observation that their work is not behind any in quality, extent, or blessing.