PRAYER

A few Sunday mornings since, I went into my study to prepare a discourse, or rather some spiritual food, for the little flock I try to feed, that they may grow into the consciousness of their vast possessions as spiritual children of God; and as usual, I commenced in silence to solicit help from God. I felt that I had but little light and lesser understanding. I longed for clearer light and greater understanding, and so in thought and desire I began to plead with God, that He would give me these blessings. I had barely begun to ask, when this thought came to me, as if it had been spoken by some one apart from me: "Why do you plead with me for these things you so much feel to need? Have I not already promised them to you? Has not my word gone forth, that I will help thee, guide thee, instruct thee, strengthen thee, and uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness? Can you not take me at my word, and proceed at once with your work, relying on the fact of my presence and the certainty that as thy day or duty is, thy strength shall be? Do I need any consideration, or presentation of motive from you to induce me to do what I am already pledged to do? Can I do otherwise than help you? Is not my nature love? Am I not everywhere present? And is there any limit to my power?" No! my Father, no! was the quick, emphatic response of my spiritual sense. Then, why pray at all? No need whatever, if the only idea of prayer consists in a human effort to persuade God to do some thing which he would not otherwise do. God is Principle, and is no more moved to action than the principle of harmony in Music could be moved by the crying of a learner to give its sanction to the discordant notes which he through ignorance or intention had made. But if prayer consists in a sense of need (which God alone can meet) and constant appropriation of what is always at hand, the unwasting fulness of God, then I can pray always, for I always need, and always is my need met; for God is an ever-present and almighty power. H.