April 28

"It came to pass at the seventh time."—1 Kings 18:44.

I WOULD copy this man's humility. He bowed himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees. While I am a child and can use all holy boldness with my Father, I am a subject also, and must stand in awe of my Sovereign. Therefore I will lay off the shoes from my feet. I will remember that no spot on earth is so sacred as the footstool of God's throne. I will count it ever a strange and wondrous privilege that I am permitted to pray.

I would copy this man's expectancy. He sent his servant to the topmost peak of the mountain, to look toward the sea. Many a time the argosies of God have come sailing into the harbour laden with the very gifts I need, but I have not been there to welcome their arrival and to receive their priceless cargoes. I should get up to my watch-tower. I should look and look and look toward the sea.

I would copy this man's perseverance. Seven times the servant reported There is nothing, and seven times he was bidden return to his "specular mount." Often, after I have prayed, I say to my heart, "There is nothing—no sign of amendment in the wayward life so dear to me; no deliverance from my own perplexities." But I must ask until seven times, perhaps until seventy times seven. I must wrestle like Jacob, and pant like David, and hope like Elijah, and be persistent like Bartimæus, and cry with tears like my blessed Lord.

"More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." But the prayer must be of the right sort—very humble, very expectant, very persevering. Lord, teach me so to pray.