PRIVATE MORNING PRAYER.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16152, 29 November 1924, Page 12 (Supplement)

PRIVATE MORNING PRAYER.

First.—Guard zealously a quiet, unhurried spirit during the trysting time.. Ilurrv means Hurry. God is never m a hurry. Hurry and speed are opposites. Nothing so hinders one s inner life as letting the world spirit of hurry get into Hi is waiting time or into one's own spirit. Second.—Hcmemhcr you have come to meet tlie Master. .Not even for more knowledge of Ihe Bible itself, but to kr.ow Him better through it—lo hear His voice, to realise llis presence, to look into His face-

Third. —Your chief business for a while at least is listening—listening to God’s voice. There are two parts to prayer—listening and speaking, listening first, then speaking. Keep first tilings first. So much prayer is onesided. God has much difficulty to get men to listen to Him. What lie says to us will make such a difference in what wo will say to Him. Give God a chance lo he heard. Say earnestly: "1 will hear what God Hie Lord will speak.” Fourth. —God is an author. lie has ,

written a book. He speaks to-day in that book. Give first place to His book. There arc countless other books, helpful and inspiring, written by godly inen. Put these books down on Hie second shelf; pul God’s book on a shelf by itself. If you have plenty of time for both, good: but give His own book Ihc place in this, quiet trysting time with Him. Fifth.—Be frank and honest with the Master. His word is certain to search your heart and life. It is a mirror, and sure to know your mis-

lakes and sins and meannesses, your pride and selfishness. Let it. Do not excuse and cover up and dodge. Be frank with Him. It will show you, too, llis gladness lo forgive and His power lo cleanse and keep. Let Him,