COMMUNITY PRAYER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 21 June 1940, Page 3

COMMUNITY PRAYER

('lo lire Editor] Sir, —Some months ago the then Prime Minister of England was asked ■ to arrange a national day of prayer, to ' • hich request he made the astonishing reply that the time was inopportune. Soon afterwards his office was taken by our present Prime Minister, and the National Day of Prayer was personally , requested by our King. We can now ! thank God for the miraculous evacuai tion of Dunkirk. The invariably choppy 1 Channel waters maintained such an Unusual calm that, tiny and heavily-load-.ea craft came safely to port. A merci- ! ful mist also assisted the operations of | the British. ! In the last war on two different ocj casions following a National Day of | Prayer, God intervened on behalf of S our armies as told in the accounts- of the “Angels of Mens” and “The White Cavalry.” The Christians of Nelson are literally praying without ceasing; at one small prayer meeting last Sunday morning before daylight, five denominations were represented. The churches have opened their doors for regular prayer, and ministers have been faithful in their ministry. But what of the “man in the street?” Does he realise that we have no hope now but in God? In Saturday’s issue the ministers of this city announced that France and Britain were in danger, and called the people to prayer, but the people arranged an entertainment instead. All honour to those who give time, talent end effort to raise money, but money won't win this war. France's vaults are stuffed with useless gold, but it did not help her in the critical hour. Last Sunday was France's last Sunday as a free nation. In a recent census over 30,000.000 French people blithely asserted they had “no religious belief.” Those who turst in material things are lost indeed. Our hearts ache for gay and beautiful France, but "where there is no vision the people perish,” and that applies to all peoples. There is very little sign in our land of national repentance. When God sent warning of punishment to ancient Nineveh they really repented. From the King to the beggars in the street they dressed in sackcloth and walked barefooted before God to ask for merev. Even the animals were not permitted to eat or drink. And God forgave them. Even at this eleventh hour, if our City Fathers would arrange a time of confession and intercession I believe God would hear us and answer. The Church^Steps is the equivalent of our rharket place. Could we not gather there in a community prayer meeting, a meeting where workers could go in their working clothes and women in their house dresses. Let it be every day at noon. Many could come for a few minutes: many who h»d not time to reach a church. Better do that than go there one day to see, with bursting hearts, the Swastika hoisted there. Some will shrug their shoulders and say “Theatrical.” In some Continental towns mothers have taken their children's lives rather than let them fall into certain hands. Would they call that “theatrical?” It is not easy for the Britisher to expose his imminent feelings. He rarely parades his religious views unless moved by some strong conviction, but in that way lies deliverance. Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, or planes or tanks, or armies, but we will, if we wish for deliverance, remember the name of the Lord. —I am. etc.. FRANCES RANKIN. Nelson. 20th June.