EFFICACY OF PRAYER

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1935, Page 11

EFFICACY OF PRAYER

ITALO-ABYSSINIAN DISPUTE. ANGLICAN PREACHER'S COMMENTS Will the world-wide prayers for peace, said in every Anglican Church in the Dominion on Sunday at the request of Archbishop Averill, effect Divine intercession in the tragic dispute between Italy and Abyssinia? “I am confident that God will not answer,” said the Rev. J. A. Templar, curate of St. Mary’s parish, addressing a congregation at St. Mary’s Church, New Plymouth, on Sunday, “because only half the people who pray hope that He Will and the other half think that. the prayer will do nd harm even if it does no good!” Archdeacon F. G. Evans, addressing a rally of the combined churches at the State Theatre on Sunday, declared that God was able, even at the last hour, to bring peace to the dispute. “Let us praj that dur prayers may be heard,” he said. “We live in serious times,” continued Archdeacon Evans. “At present it is the averred intention of the Italians to overwhelm Ethiopia with bombs and poison gas—ah act of a so-called Christian nation in defiance' of the world. What a mercy we have a living God to call on and to say to, ‘Have mercy on the Ethiopians.’ God is able, even at the last hour, to bring peace. The situation may be like a great forest fire that will spread over Europe and the world. Let us pray that we may be heard.” Mr, Templar, recalling that leaders of the churches had asked for the prayers of their people, said prayer was a privilege which was really worth While, but prayer without works was hypocrisy, “Most of the People who are praying for peace to-day, in spite .of their respect for Archbishop Averill; are hypocrites,” he said. “Theyare people Who are praying' for - something they are not willing to-live arid work for.”

Once, he continued, people used to spend much time prayihg to God fof deliverance from an epidemic of typhoid. Someorie discovfered that God was not to blarne for the disease, which Was caused by a small microbe bred in Stagnant drains. So-called sensible people laughed at the idea of praying for deliverance from diseases, forgetting that it had only been by the use of Godgiven brains that cures had been discovered.

Some people imagined that War could be overcome in the same way as disease, by using their brains, and by being sensible. They believed that Leagues of Nations could police the World and stop people frbm fighting just as the police at New Plymouth stopped anyone committing assault. Some people even suggested that Britain should act as a policeman ahd preverit Italy from attacking Abyssinia. That was a mistake. It was usdless to expect the League of Nations to prevent war between countries with big armies; The stopping of War Was a doctor’s and not a policeman's job, and the doctor Who would ultimately stop War was the Christian. Meh, Women and children who prayed daily to God and not the League would put an end to armies, navies, air forces arid wars. “God alone can stop wars and He can only Work through His army, the church,” declared the speaker. “The cause Of disease is a small" germ. The cause of the disease df waf is a/gerih* national selfishness, covering a multitude of sins including pride, greed, sloth and lust.” People Who Wanted something for nothing Were lazy and greedy, arid the envious, greedy, lazy and medft people were the genris which, when multiplied into a nation, could not help fighting. They painted the war as a glorious Occupation, luring young men into it. War was not only futile and damnable, but also suicidal. “The envibusness, greediness, laziness and meanness of our forefathers will be our downfall unless we turn to Christ and become slaves, slaves of Jesus Christ and not slaves of the god of war,” declared Mr. Templar.