THE INFLUENCE OF PRAYER (ELDER FA CHICK)

“The whole value of prayer hinges on the question of whether it alters to purposes, plans, and acts of God. That it does, is taught in the Bible with the greatest possible clearness by definite statement and abundant illustration. The Bible is the most empty of all illusive dreams if God's purposes, plans, and acts are not altered by human petition”.

Bishop Henry Warren of Colorado., in “Christian work, for December 31st, 1896

It would be difficult to condense more ignorance of God and the Scriptures, and more falsehood concerning both, into the compass of a few lines that are contained in the above sentences. We have all our life heard the above sentiments declared by professed teachers in Israel, but in far more guarded terms than these. But this writer throws away all caution and unblushingly utters falsehood concerning the unchangeable God. The scriptures expressly declare that Jehovah changes not and that He is without varial menus or the shadow of turning. These are expressed declarations of the word, and we must not attribute to prayer any result that will contradict these plain statements. We would always speak with reverence of the High and Holy One, who inhabits eternity, And even when his divine attributes are assailed, as they are in the above quoted remarks, we would not rashly utter reproof; But it seems to us that reverence for the God whom we worship demands that we should in plain terms denounce such falsehoods concerning Him, and warn all who may hear our feeble voice against such false teachers as the author of the above sentences.

Such sentiments are false and irreverent, because they amount to a denial of the immutability, the omniscience, the perfect knowledge of God from all eternity of all things, And they imply either that in the beginning, Jehovah has not purposed for men, the best things, or else that by the importunate prayer of men, He has forsaken his all-wise purpose for a purpose less wise and good. To assert either of these things is the height of irreverence and blasphemy. Such sentiments also imply that God must often be perplexed and swayed in mind and will in many conflicting directions, since many equally devout And sincere are with earnestness, beseeching him to hearken to them and grant their petition, though they pray for opposite things. If the purpose is, plans and acts of God can be swayed or altered by prayer, how great must be the conflict in the divine Mind! Where then would be the infinite rest and beatitude in which Jehovah dwells? Or must we say concerning the matter, as Napoleon once said?: “God is on the side of the heaviest battalions?” 

Not of men, Indeed, as Napoleon meant, but of prayer. Is the universe governed by the will of majorities? The assertions to which we refer amount to this. But we are sure that if any man realizes his own finiteness and folly, and how entirely ignorant he is of his own best good, That man would never dare to pray at all. If the prayer he offers can change the “purposes and plans and acts of God” and if the plans and purposes of God are perfect in To first place, who would desire to change them? Because the least change would be toward imperfection; And if the will and purpose of God be always what is best, the change would be towards something not so good. Must not every reverent spirit who believes in the perfect wisdom and goodness of God, start back from the proposition to change that perfect will by any means whatever, with appearance? Let every believer rejoice, Yay, The whole universe has reason to rejoice that our God is in one mind, and none can turn him, either by prayer or otherwise.

The most perfect prayer ever offered is when the soul is brought away from its own imperfect wants, and comes, at last, to say, “Thy will be done”. This is the completion and perfection of all true praying. Nothing better than this can be granted; Nothing better than this can be desired. When this desire fills a soul, there is a conformity to the will of God which is better than all things else. In this petition is the spirit of humble reverence and worship, which is acceptable to God. How abhorrent to him must be that arrogant, dictatorial spirit which dares to assail the ear of heaven, and dictate to infinite wisdom changes in his purposes, plans, and acts! How far is such a spirit? From that man of sin who dares “To sit in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God!” It is the high and holy privilege of the people of God to come before God with prayer. Thus stay commune with him, and freely tell him all their wants. The God, whom they worship, encourages them to come. But instead of thus altering the plan and purpose of God, or changing a single act, they themselves are rather changed into His will, until at last they can say, “thy will, and not mine be done”.

We very much fear that Bishop Henry Warren, of Colorado, has never really prayed in his life, and that he is totally ignorant of the God whom he professes to worship. The power of divine grace alone can enlighten him. If, brethren, we are better taught, let us humbly say, “By the grace of God I am what I am”.

Elder F. A. Chick

Vol. 65.2

1/15/1897