LOOKING AT GOD AS OUR FATHER

BEN F. VICK, JR.

The apostle John said, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (Jn. 1:18).  God cannot be seen with the physical eye, but he can be seen through the eye of faith.  The writer of Hebrews said of Moses, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king:  for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible”  (Heb. 11:27).  From the pages of God’s word, we want to look at some characteristics of God as our father. 

There is a sense in which God is the Father of all humanity.  The prophet Malachi wrote, “Have we not all one father?  Hath not one God created us?  Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?” (Mal. 2:10).  Because God created us—once miraculously in the case of Adam and Eve, but now through natural law, he is a Father of all men.  But there is a special sense, a spiritual sense, in which only God’s spiritual children can call him “Father” (Gal. 4:5-6).  One who has not been born again (Jn. 3:1-8) cannot call God “Father.”  Jesus, in teaching his disciples how to pray, said to pray after this manner, “Our Father which art in heaven…” (Matt. 6:9). 

We can learn from our Father in heaven as to the kind of fathers we need to be.  Look at his dealings with his children and learn from him.  It is natural for a son to want to take on the characteristics of his father; so, why should not Christian fathers strive to be like their Father in heaven?  Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).

Our father in heaven expressed and continues to express his love for his children.  He demonstrated his love, not only in words, but in action. He told his children in the Old Testament that he loved them (Deut. 7:6-8).  He has also told his children in the gospel age that he loves them (I Jn. 4:9,10,19; Jn. 3:16).  The Father’s greatest demonstration of his love was in the sending of his only begotten Son to die for us  (Rom. 5:6-8).  Fathers today need to express their love for their children, not only in word, but in deed.

Our Father in heaven provides for his children.  David, in the long ago, said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psa. 37:25).  Jesus promised that if we put the kingdom of God first, and his righteousness; then, the necessities of life will be added unto us.  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).  James tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (Jas. 2:17).  Though God sends material blessings to all, spiritual blessings are available only for the child of God.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).  Fathers today need to make provisions for their children’s needs.

Our Father in heaven has provided for our spiritual nourishment.  In our Bibles we read that Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).  The Bible is food for the soul.  The soul needs to be fed daily.  Paul wrote,
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (II Cor. 4:16).  Peter exhorted, “…As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (I Pet. 2:2-3). 

Fathers, are you providing for the spiritual welfare of your children?  Do they see you meditating upon the word of God?  Do they hear you pray?  Do they see you busy in the Lord’s vineyard?  Do you take them to Bible classes and worship services?  Do they go with you as you visit the sick or shut ins?  Do they see Christ in you?

Our Father in heaven has time for his children.  He is interested in our welfare.  He wants us to express our hearts’ desires unto him.  “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matt. 7:7-11).  Fathers need to take time for their children.  We need to listen to them.  Why beget children into this world if one has no intention of caring for them?

Our Father in heaven encourages us in those things which are right by showing his approval in the Bible.  But he discourages us in the things which are wrong by his disapproval as found in the Bible (Gal. 5:19-23).  Fathers need to encourage their sons and daughters in righteous living and rebuke all unrighteous conduct (Tit. 2:11-12; Eph. 5:11).  Why would a father want to encourage his son to sin?  Yet, many do so by their own lives.

Our Father in heaven is faithful.  “God is faithful, by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our lord” (I Cor. 1:9).  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (I Cor. 10:13).  God’s children can count upon him.  He is trustworthy.  He keeps his word.  What he promises, he will fulfill.  Children place all their trust upon their fathers.  Oh!  How disappointing some fathers are to their children.  “Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (Ecc. 5:5).

Our Father in heaven commands all fathers, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

THE SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE

BEN F. VICK, JR.

 On Paul's second missionary journey, he arrived in Corinth by himself. He met Aquila and Priscilla, who were of the same craft as he, tentmakers. While laboring with them, he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. Luke records that when Silas and Timothy arrived, Paul was "pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. When the Jews rejected Paul's preaching, he turned to the Gentiles. The inspired historian tells us, "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." (Acts 18:8.) Paul labored with the church for eighteen months. The church in Corinth was established.  Seven or eight years later, Paul wrote a letter to that church that had significant problems addressed in First Corinthians. The second letter that we have reveals more of this apostle's heart than any of his other writings. In the latter half of the epistle, Paul defended his apostleship because false teachers denied his apostleship.   

In Paul's defense, he wrote, "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds." (2 Cor. 12:12.) Earlier in this letter, he inquired, "Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." (2 Cor. 3:1-3.) Why would Paul have to show a letter recommending him?  They knew him. He had converted many of them.  As further proof, he said, "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you…." 

Judaizing teachers may have claimed to have been apostles or that Paul was not a genuine apostle as Peter or John. So, once again, Paul pulls out his credentials. He said the signs of an apostle had been done among you. Just what were those signs? The text tells us: "…in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds." The "signs" in the text here were miraculous indicators of Paul's message. Not every "sign" is a miraculous sign. Circumcision was a sign, but certainly not miraculous (Rom. 4:11).  The "signs" Paul did at Corinth (and other places) were tokens that he was an apostle.  In the previous verse, Paul said, "…for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostle, though I be nothing." The signs that Jesus did were to prove that he was the Son of God (John 20:30-31). 

"Wonders" would be some miraculous action that caused amazement in the hearts of others. When Jesus healed the man let down from the roof by his friends, the people said, "We have seen strange things today." (Luke 5:26.) On that first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus, Peter preached, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:" (Acts 2:22.)

"Mighty deeds" would be miraculous deeds. On the day of our Lord's resurrection, two men walking to Emmaus were met by Jesus on that first day of the week. When Jesus asked them what they were discussing and why they were so sad, they said, "Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?" Luke records, "And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:" (Luke 24:19.) They recognized that Jesus was a prophet "mighty in deed and word." 

The signs of an apostle were not merely the power to do miracles. Philip, one of the seven selected to serve tables (Acts 6), not one of the twelve apostles, went down to Samaria when the church was being persecuted. Acts 8:5-8 reads: "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:5–8.)  The Holy Spirit, by the pen of Luke, wrote, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done." (Acts 8:12-13.)

When word was received in Jerusalem of the conversion of the Samaritans, the apostles sent Peter and John down to Samaria, thirty-six miles north of Jerusalem.  (If Peter were the first Pope, do you not think he would have been the one sending, rather one of the two being sent?)  When Peter and John arrived, they prayed for the new converts at Samaria that they might receive the Holy Spirit: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [If they had the Holy Spirit at their baptism, why was there a need to pray for him? bfv) Luke tells us, "Then laid they [Peter and John] laid their hands on them [the Samaritans], and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17).  Now, observe the following two verses: "And when Simon [formerly, the sorcerer] saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:18-19.) Simon who before had deceived people to leave the impression that he was some great one, obeyed the gospel under the preaching of Philip, the evangelist (Acts 8:13), but he slipped back to his old ways, wanting to have the power that only the apostles had. And what was that power? The ability to impart spiritual gifts to others. He wanted the same power that only the apostles had.  He was willing to pay for it.  That is where the expression "simony" originates, which is buying an office. 

Paul said to the Corinthian saints: Here is proof that I am an apostle. The power to impart spiritual or miraculous gifts to you is the proof.  Those spiritual gifts are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-12. There are nine in number. 

When the apostles died and those upon whom they laid hands died, the miraculous ceased.  The revelation was complete (Jude 3).  Today, we have the complete Bible – 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. 

PAUL’S THORN IN THE FLESH

BEN F. VICK, JR.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Cor. 12:7-10.)

If my readers thought that I would reveal what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was, they would be decidedly disappointed. I do not intend to join the many speculating commentators as to what his thorn in the flesh was. Opinions are like faces: everyone has one. If God had intended for us to know, he would have revealed it to us. Why cannot men be satisfied with what is written rather than what is not written? Moses wrote, “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29.)

Paul does reveal why his thorn in the flesh was given. He stated it twice: “Lest I should be exalted above measure.” However, why would he have been exalted above measure? He tells us that as well. He had received an abundance of visions and revelations. In the preceding verses, he alluded to a man caught up to the third heaven, paradise. Paul had several visions beginning when the Lord met him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6; 26:12-19). When Paul and company came to Mysia on his second missionary journey, the Spirit forbade their going into Bithynia (Acts 16:6-8). Paul had appealed to Caesar and was on his way to Rome. During a terrible storm at sea, an angel of the Lord appeared to him to comfort him and all on board (Acts 27: 19-25). 

Paul was special. He was the Lord’s apostle, as of one born out of due time. If anyone had reason to boast, to glory, it would seem Paul was the one. Yet, this thorn in the flesh was to prevent his exalting himself above measure. It would have been very easy for one to think more highly of himself than he ought, to exalt oneself, thinking he was somewhat because God had chosen him and revealed things to him. Would that have been a temptation to you? God has his ways to bring the arrogant and proud down. James, our Lord’s brother, wrote, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10.)  Jesus said, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matt. 23:8-12.)

It should be noted that this “thorn in the flesh” was “the messenger of Satan.” The purpose of this “thorn” was to torment. The word “buffet” literally means to “strike with the fist.” “To buffet” is in the present tense, which means it was ongoing. It was not going to be here today and gone tomorrow.  But God did not send it; the devil did.  Sometimes the Bible refers to God’s having done something when the meaning is that God allowed it to be done. God allowed Satan to have his way with Job to a point. God is not responsible for sickness and death in this world. The devil should be blamed for the terrible things of this world.

What was Paul’s reaction to this thorn in the flesh?  Did he blame God? Did he cease to labor for God? Did he become bitter? No. Instead of falsely accusing God, he approached God in prayer to remove it. When trouble comes our way, some physical illness or loss of health, do we accuse God for it or approach God with it? Paul went to God in prayer. Not once, not twice, but three times he pleaded with God to remove it. Oh, how he wanted to be relieved of this burden! Though God did not send it, he could certainly remove it if only he would.

God answered his prayer. He said he would hear the prayers of the righteous (Matt.7: 7-11; Psa. 91:15). Peter wrote, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12.) Yes, God answered his prayer, but not as Paul had pleaded. It was not in Paul’s best interest for the thorn to be removed. Humility would have been turned to haughtiness.

For God to grant our petitions is not always what is best for us. God said, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” For the Christian, when difficulties come, God will either remove the difficulties or give one the strength to endure them. Just as a loving father knows what is best for his child, so our heavenly Father knows what is best for us. Let us trust the Lord through the darkness and difficulties that may come our way in life. God’s grace is sufficient. His strength (power, δύναμις) is made complete in weakness, man’s weakness. Though Paul was inflicted with this thorn in the flesh, God’s power was demonstrated through the apostle’s life. Sometimes the most excellent sermons are preached by the faith of those stricken with some debilitating malady. They put forth every effort to make it to services. They sometimes sit in the pew writhing in pain. G. K. Wallace became deaf in the last years of his life, but he faithfully attended the church's services. Someone asked him why he attended since he could not hear. He responded that he wanted the devil to know whose side he was on.

The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” What was Paul’s response? “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Is that my attitude toward suffering? Is it yours? Is Christ reflected in our lives even in times of suffering? How strong is your faith? Is it only when skies are blue? What about when the dark clouds hover? “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6.)

I KNEW A MAN IN CHRIST

BEN F. VICK, JR.

Contrary to his nature and the Lord’s method, Paul had to answer the false teachers on their level.  Second Corinthians 11:22-33 is Inspiration’s illustration of answering a fool according to his folly (Prov. 26:5). It was not something Paul relished but was necessary. Sometimes, in dealing with a false teacher, one must answer the false doctrine and the man.  

After listing his record of suffering in defense of his apostleship, Paul said, “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Cor. 12:1-4.)  It was not profitable or beneficial for Paul to boast; however, he continues to the Judaizing teachers. He then tells of visions and revelations of the Lord. They did not come from his imagination but the Lord.

He said he knew a man in Christ sometime about fourteen years before who was caught up to the third heaven. There are heavens, plural (Psa. 19:1). The Bible refers to three heavens (not seven as the Muslims teach). The one heaven is where the birds fly (Gen. 1:20). Another heaven is where the sun, moon, and stars are (Gen. 1: 14-19; Psa. 8:3). Another heaven is the throne of God is (Isa. 66:1).

Paul could not tell whether this man was in or out of his physical body when caught up to the third heaven. So, one can still be a person whether he is in his body or out of his body. Solomon said that our bodies return to the dust and our spirits to God who gave them (Ecc. 12:7). One does not cease to be when his spirit or soul leaves his body. Jesus went to the Hadean world (unseen realm), but his body was in the tomb for three days. He did not cease to exist during that period. The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19ff) shows an existence even after death – for both the good and the bad. God said that he was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex. 3:6; Matt. 22:32).  However, they had been dead for centuries; their bodies were buried in the cave of Machpelah near Hebron. Yet, in some sense, they were still alive. Their bodies had long returned to the dust. This man of whom Paul spoke was caught up to the third heaven, but he was caught up to paradise (2 Cor. 12:4).  Thus, the third heaven and paradise must be the same in this context.

 The word “paradise” is found in two other places:  Jesus said to one of the thieves on the cross, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43.) Also, Jesus said, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him, that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Rev. 2:7.) The word “paradise” translates a Greek word (παράδεισος) which among the Persians meant “a grand enclosure or preserve, hunting-ground, park, shady and well-watered, in which wild animals were kept for the hunt; it was enclosed by walls and furnished with towers for the hunters.” (Thayer.)  The same source also says it was “that part of Hades which was thought by later Jews to be the abode of the souls of the pious until the resurrection: Lk. 23:43, cf. 16:23…but some understand the passage of the heavenly paradise.” It means “pleasure park.” 

The Greek word (ἁρπάζω) translated “caught up” means “to snatch or catch away.”  This was a vision that Paul had. It was not a host of people but one man. It was not at the end of the world, but it took place in Paul’s lifetime. It was not a reward but a revelation.

When Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise,” it demonstrates that there is recognition in the next world. Otherwise, how would the thief know he was in paradise? How would he know Jesus was there with him? In the vision Paul describes here, the man heard “unspeakable words” that were not lawful for a man to utter. If the soul sleeps when it is separated from the body (if it were separated from the body.  Paul did not know.), how would he have heard the unspeakable words?

We hear of people who claim to have died and were brought back to life.  They tell or write of their experiences.  However, in the first place, resurrection would be a miracle. Miracles have ceased (1 Cor. 13:8-10). Second, the man Paul speaks of was not allowed to utter what he heard. He did not even tell what he saw. However, Ellen G. White, founder of Seventh Day Adventism, claimed that she was caught up in the third heaven and saw the ten commandments with a halo around the fourth (“Remember the sabbath to keep it holy”).  How could she report what she saw, but it was unlawful for this man to utter what he heard? This seems a little unfair. Now, I would not say this, but Foy E. Wallace, Jr. said tongue in cheek that God knew that a woman could not keep quiet about what she saw; so, God did not tell White it was unlawful for her to speak about it. (I would add, I have known some men who could not keep quiet either.) 

THOUGHTS ON PUBLIC PRAYER

DENNIS GULLEDGE

 The act of public prayer is one of the most difficult functions which a leader in worship services has to perform.  Men who lead in prayer are hard pressed to close the audience out of their consciousness so that they might address Jehovah in sincerity and concentrated thought.  Sometimes they are notably nervous and hardly know what to say at all, or, others may so abuse the privilege as to “preach” to the audience, teach a particular thought, argue some point of doctrine, tell God what his word says, advertise some special interest or condemn some current practice. 

Public prayers are scriptural, if they are not made for the purpose of being heard of men.  It is essential that the prayers offered in our public worship be such as God will accept.  Whether we care to admit it or not, some public prayers are unscriptural because the man leading has not been taught how to pray.  In the interest of better educating ourselves, in order that those who “lead in prayer” might do so in ways accepted of God and appreciated by others, I offer these few thoughts on public prayer. 

1.  Realize The Place of Public Prayer In Worship.  It is not a ritual.  It is the expression of our “hearts desire” (Romans 10:1).  The men who “lead us in prayer,” or “direct our minds as we pray,” should know something of the hearts’ desires, needs and conditions of the congregation.  A brother cannot “by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God,” if he is out of touch with the requests of the church. 

When a brother in Christ is asked to lead in prayer it should not be thought a wearisome duty.  His brethren are asking him to express unto the God of Glory that which is in their hearts.  May every participant assume his task with the seriousness and reverence it deserves, else it is vain.

2.   Speak Loud Enough To Be Heard By All Present.  It goes without saying that one who leads a congregation in prayer must be heard by all the congregation.  That means, speaking so that you can be understood by all.  The days of unknown tongues have ceased!

3.   Give Thought To It.  It is impossible to lead an acceptable prayer in worship without first giving some thought of that prayer.  Sometimes one is called upon in a moment’s time to lead in public prayer, and thus, cannot think it through.  On those occasions when a brother knows ahead of time that he is to lead in public prayers let him give serious and sober thought to what he intends to say.  It requires preparation to preach the gospel and to lead singing.  Why not in public prayer?  Somehow, some time, some thought must be given to the matter.

4.   Avoid Trite Expressions.  There are countless threadbare and stale expressions which have found their way into the prayers often led by brethren.  The constant repetition of such expressions reveal lack of thought, and disturb rather than lead the minds of conscientious people in prayer to God.  After one has heard a brother use certain of these several hundred times he can, with a fair degree of accuracy, anticipate just what is going to be said.

We often hear such worn out expressions such as, “be with the sick and the afflicted the world over,” “at last save us in heaven, if we have been found faithful until death,” “we trust that we have met here for no other purpose than to worship Thee, the only true and living God,” etc., etc.  These thoughts are right in and of themselves, but the constant repetition of them becomes monotonous, and all but meaningless.  One particular expression which I have marveled at through the years is, “Bless brother_________ who is to speak to us today, and give him a ready recollection of the things which he has prepared to say.”  God promised no preacher a “ready recollection” since the days of inspiration!  (John 14:26.)  If the preacher has not done his homework he will have a most unhappy lack of recollection!  Also, keeping in mind that many preachers use memory devices of some sort (notes, outlines), it is amazing that such an expression ever found its way into the prayers of thinking brethren.  Whenever I hear it I am reminded of the words of Alexander Campbell, preserved in The Christian Baptist (May 3, 1824), when he wrote about “a popular divine” of boyhood recollection.  He noted,

This gentleman had once been a lawyer of some note.  But he was tired of the bar and mounted the rostrum...After a “solemn prayer” for divine assistance in delivering a suitable message, he opened his Bible, in which he had very ingeniously inserted his manuscript.  He held the book in his right hand, and with a considerable sleight of hand turned the leaf seven or eight times during the pronunciation of his heaven-dictated message….Thought I, this is a sure method of obtaining an answer from heaven for a suitable message—first to have it in writing, and then to ask it from God.” (Emphasis mine, DG)

Public prayer holds a place of distinction in our worship assemblies, as well it must.  It is sad, however, that we are guilty of neglecting to give it the proper attention which it so richly deserves.  All prayer should be from the heart, offered wisely and intelligently, in words easy to be understood and in such a manner as may be followed by all.  Let sincerity, brevity and scriptural request mark every prayer. 

—Curry St. Church of Christ bulletin

Vol. 18, No. 38. July 6, 1986