Men and women of prayer

SUMMARY: The Holy Spirit raises prayer to a vital and decisive position in the gospel of Christ. Christian leaders need to teach and lead their followers in prayer. Only leaders who pray can have followers who pray. We need men of overwhelming faith, spotless holiness, marked spiritual vigor, and consuming zeal who can ignite the church in fervor to God. The church has never marched without these men, and they adorn its history. The church that relies solely on its past history for its miracles of power and grace is a fallen church. We need chosen men who have turned to God with a perfect heart. Let us pray earnestly that God's promise to prayer will be fulfilled beyond what we imagine.

Before Pentecost the apostles had only glimpses of the importance of prayer. But the Spirit who descended and filled them at Pentecost raises prayer to its vital and decisive position in the gospel of Christ. The call to prayer to all the faithful constitutes the highest and most demanding demand of the Spirit. The piety of the saints is refined and perfected by prayer. The gospel marches with slow and timid steps when the saints do not pray long prayers early in the day.

Where are the Christian leaders who can put modern saints to pray and teach them this devotion? Have we realized that we are raising a collection of prayerless saints? Where are the apostolic leaders who can get God's people to pray? Let them come forward and do the work, it will be the greatest work they can do. An increase in educational facilities and financial resources would be the most terrible curse if these elements were not sanctified by more fervent and frequent prayers. But deep devotion won't come naturally. The campaign for twentieth or thirtieth century funds will not benefit but will hinder our prayers if we are not careful. Only a specific and well-directed action will produce effect.