The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 664

— PRAYER

624

soul heave with broader swell than

we

feel irresistibly constrained

words and altho in the solitude of the closet, yet the silent prayer becomes an audible and sometimes a loud invocation of the mercies of our God. Even Christ in Gethsemane prayed, to titter prayer in

;

not in silent meditation nor in unuttered groans, but with strong

words which

And

still

seem

not only in

to

sound

in our ears.

but in other ways, the body largely affects

this,

our prayer.

There is, in the ^ri/ body partake of it. For

this reason

selves before the majesty of God. distracted grace.

We

by the world.

The agonized

We

ground.

lift

we

King

kneel

We

close the eyes not to be

up the hands as invoking His

wrestler in prayer prostrates himself on the

uncover the head

in

token of reverence.

sembly of the saints the men stand on the

make the whole when we humble our-

place, a natural desire to

of Glory should

come

In the as-

their feet, as they

would

if

in.

In the second place, the effect of the body upon prayer is evident from the influence which bodily conditions frequently exert upon it. Depressing headache, muscular or nervous pains, congestive disorders causing undue excitement, often prevent not the sigh,

Every one knows what effect warm and earnest prayer. While, on the other hand, a vigorous constitution, clear head, and tranquil mind are peculiarly conducive to prayer. For this reason the Scripture and the example of the fathers speak of fasting as means to assist the saints in this exercise. but the

full

outpouring of prayer.

drowsiness has upon

Lastly,

the exercise of

bodily distress prior to distress of the soul has often

opened mute

lips in

prayer before God.

Families that were stran-

gers to prayer have learned to pray in times of serious illness.

threatening dangers of

fire

In

or water, lips that were used to cursing

have frequently cried aloud in supplication. Compelled by war, famine, and pestilence, godless cities have frequently appointed days of prayer with the same zeal wherewith formerly they appointed days of rejoicing. Hence the significance of the body in this respect is very great in fact, so great that when abnormal conditions cause the bond between body and soul to become inactive, prayer ceases at the same time. However, mere bodily exercise is not prayer, but lipservice. Mere imitation of the form, mere sounds of prayer rolling from the lips, mere words addressed to the Eternal One

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