"pray without ceasing"
A number of ministers were assembled for the discussion of difficult questions. Among others, it was asked how the command, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17), could be complied with.
Various suppositions were started, and at length one of the number was appointed to write an essay on it to be read at the next monthly meeting.
This decision was overheard by a servant girl who exclaimed, "What! A whole month to tell the meaning of that text? Why, it is one of the easiest and best texts in the whole Bible."
"Well, now, Mary," said an old minister, "what do you know about it? Tell us how you understand it. Do you think it is possible to pray all the time?"
"O, yes, Sir."
"When you have so many things to do?"
"Why, Sir, the more I have to do the more I can pray."
"Indeed! Well, Mary, do let us know how it is. Most of us think otherwise."
"Well, Sir," said the girl, "when I first open my eyes in the morning I pray, Lord, open the eyes of my understanding; and while I am dressing I pray that I may be clothed with the robe of righteousness; when I wash I ask for the washing of regeneration; as I work I pray that I may have strength equal to my day; when I begin to kindle the fire in the hearth, I pray that God's work may revive my soul; as I vacuum the house I pray that my heart may be purged from all its impurities; while preparing and partaking of breakfast I pray to be fed with hidden manna and sincere milk of the Word; as I am busy with the little children I look up to God, my Heavenly Father, and praise Him for adoption into His family by faith in Christ Jesus; I pray that I might be an obedient child--and so on all the day long. Everything I do furnishes me with a thought for prayer."
"Enough! Enough!" cried the humbled minister, "These things are revealed to babes and hid from the wise and prudent. Go on, Mary," he said, "Continue to pray without ceasing."
Then, turning to his fellow-ministers he said, "And as for us, brethren, let us bless the Lord for this exposition, and remember that the Word of God says, 'The meek will He guide in judgement: and the meek will He teach His way'" (Psalm 25:9).
A number of ministers were assembled for the discussion of difficult questions. Among others, it was asked how the command, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17), could be complied with.
Various suppositions were started, and at length one of the number was appointed to write an essay on it to be read at the next monthly meeting.
This decision was overheard by a servant girl who exclaimed, "What! A whole month to tell the meaning of that text? Why, it is one of the easiest and best texts in the whole Bible."
"Well, now, Mary," said an old minister, "what do you know about it? Tell us how you understand it. Do you think it is possible to pray all the time?"
"O, yes, Sir."
"When you have so many things to do?"
"Why, Sir, the more I have to do the more I can pray."
"Indeed! Well, Mary, do let us know how it is. Most of us think otherwise."
"Well, Sir," said the girl, "when I first open my eyes in the morning I pray, Lord, open the eyes of my understanding; and while I am dressing I pray that I may be clothed with the robe of righteousness; when I wash I ask for the washing of regeneration; as I work I pray that I may have strength equal to my day; when I begin to kindle the fire in the hearth, I pray that God's work may revive my soul; as I vacuum the house I pray that my heart may be purged from all its impurities; while preparing and partaking of breakfast I pray to be fed with hidden manna and sincere milk of the Word; as I am busy with the little children I look up to God, my Heavenly Father, and praise Him for adoption into His family by faith in Christ Jesus; I pray that I might be an obedient child--and so on all the day long. Everything I do furnishes me with a thought for prayer."
"Enough! Enough!" cried the humbled minister, "These things are revealed to babes and hid from the wise and prudent. Go on, Mary," he said, "Continue to pray without ceasing."
Then, turning to his fellow-ministers he said, "And as for us, brethren, let us bless the Lord for this exposition, and remember that the Word of God says, 'The meek will He guide in judgement: and the meek will He teach His way'" (Psalm 25:9).
