| September 27, 1998 |
Vol. I, No. 22
|
Our own political, religious, and social philosophies, to a great extent,
determine those we would choose to call great. But our readers would
probably be in universal agreement that the following men may properly
be called great men. Look at their high regard for the Bible.
George Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern
the world without God and the Bible. He is worse than an infidel
who does not read his Bible and acknowledge his obligation to God.”
John Adams: “The Bible is the best book in the world.”
Thomas Jefferson: “The Bible makes the best people in the world.”
John Quincy Adams: “My custom is to read four or five chapters of the Bible immediately after rising. It seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day. It is an invaluable and inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue.”
Abraham Lincoln: “I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man.”
Theodore Roosevelt: “To every man who faces life with read desire to do his part in everything, I appeal for a study of the Bible.”
Woodrow Wilson: “I have a very simple thing to ask of you. I ask every man and woman in this audience that from this day on they will realize that part of the destiny of America lies in their daily perusal of this great Book.”
Benjamin Franklin: Cultivate an acquaintance with and a firm belief in the Holy Scriptures. This is your certain interest.”
Douglas MacArthur: “Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the Word of God before I go to bed.”
We wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments, and we commend unto you the Bible, the Word of God.
--CRJ
Matt. 6:9-13 contains Jesus' model or example prayer that He used to teach His followers how to pray acceptably. Luke records in Luke 11:1-4 that Jesus used this same model prayer when one of His disciples came to Him while He was praying and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." Of course, in this model prayer, Jesus did not include every possible thing that a Christian might include in an acceptable prayer, but He did touch upon all the basic underlying principles of prayer.
First, we might note that prayer is directed to God, our heavenly Father. There is no example or command in the Bible for Christians to pray to some departed saint, and there is no mediator between God and man except Jesus Christ, 1 Tim. 2:5. Christians are taught in the Scriptures to pray "in Jesus' name," that is, by His authority. Prayer by Jesus' authority is directed to God the Father.
Second, we note that prayer should come from a heart that realizes the greatness, holiness, and purity of God -- that hallows His name.
Third, our petitions should ever keep in mind God's will, and that it must take precedence over our own. As Paul suggested in Rom. 8:26, we do not always know what we should pray for. We are to express our desires to the Father, but always with the realization that he knows best, and when there is conflict between our desires and His will, His will must be done rather than our own.
Fourth, we are encouraged to pray for the things that we need in this life as exemplified in Jesus' words, "Give us this day our daily bread." Of course, we should not expect God to provide for us if we will not do anything to cooperate. Other Scriptures show that we are to work for a living, to provide for our families, etc., 2 Thess. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:8. But it is only by the grace of God that we have the ability and opportunity to do these things, so we pray to Him, "Give us this day our daily bread."
Next, we note that it important that we pray to be forgiven for our sins and shortcomings, and that we ask for such a blessing with the realization that forgiveness can only be ours if we are willing to forgive those who have sinned against us. Having obtained forgiveness, it is then advantageous for us to ask God to help us overcome temptation and triumph over Satan.
Jesus' model prayer closes with another reference to the magnificence and splendor of our God: "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
This example prayer was not meant to be repeated idly as simple ritual, but was meant to show His followers the KIND of prayer God responds to.
--CRJ