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yet be true of the whole, in the future, shall be true of me, in my degree and capacity,
now, in the present. We may by its power become "living epistles" indeed. We may
each become an embodiment of anticipation of the ages to come.
If therefore we were able to sum up our first examination and say that the relationship
of the Word and prayer could be expressed as revelation and realization, we can now take
a step further and say that prayer leads to realization, comprehension, and, above all,
personal anticipation of the truth of divine revelation. It is much like that "faith which is
the substance of things hoped for". We sometimes hear our children singing: "Make the
Book live to me, dear Lord." This is the office of prayer, and the goal of this prayer is
particular and personal anticipation of the divine purpose.
#3.
Revelation and Participation.
pp. 177 - 179
There is one more prayer used in the epistle to the Ephesians that will throw light
upon the "purposes of prayer" in this dispensation of the mystery. The first prayer had
relation to the three items of revelation given in Eph. 1: 3-14, and led into the spirit of
this revelation, acknowledging Him, and perceiving what are the hope, riches and power
belonging to this calling. The second prayer led to the desire that what God planned to
do when the ages should reach their goal, He might do in us, in spirit, now, as a small yet
real anticipation of that day. The third prayer has not the vastness of scope of the second,
but is more intimate and personal. Let us have the passage before us.
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be
given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the
gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I
ought to speak" (Eph. 6: 18-20).
The great basis of the two prayers just considered was the revelation of truth contained
in the Scriptures. This revelation should ever have this basic place in our hearts and
minds. Alas, the reverse is often the case. We do not always "seek first the kingdom of
God", but are much more concerned with what we shall eat, and what we shall drink, or
wherewithal we shall be clothed. These things are known unto God, and prayer is not to
be used merely as a means of satisfying our temporal needs, but for satisfying the more
pressing needs of the spirit.
When we examine this prayer of Eph. 6:, we find a blending of scriptural facts with
personal affairs. We have only to continue a perusal of the chapter to find that this prayer
was the expression of a desire to turn all the apostle's circumstances to good account;
consequently, after asking for the prayers of the Ephesian church the apostle adds,