Truth Magazine

By Harold Fite

Through our sophisticated communication systems the world has shrunk. Via satellite we can receive pictures from outer space. Through the marvel of television we can visit interesting places throughout the world without ever leaving our living rooms. By telephone we can talk to friends in Europe or the Orient as if they were next door.

While technology in this field is brilliant, it is not without its intermittent failures. There are a number of things which can hinder its efficiency: atmospheric conditions and water in the underground cable can produce static which prevents one from seeing and hearing clearly. There is nothing wrong with the system, but foreign matter can prevent sharp reception.

Prayer is our method of communicating with God. This system far surpasses the accomplishments of our hi-tech age. But our communication with God can be hindered so as to negate the power, purpose, and blessing of prayer. The fault does not lie with God or the system — but with us!

Our problem is neither poor grammar nor the inability to form flowery phrases. Impressive language has never been the criterion by which God answers prayer. G.C. Morgan said, “A man may offer a prayer, beautiful in diction and perfect in the number of its petitions, but if it gives him gratification afterwards, that prayer cannot have been truly prayed.” It makes no difference to God whether our prayers are “long” or “short.” It is not the number of prayers, nor the eloquence and length of them that causes God to hear; it is the disposition of heart that counts.

Our prayers are hindered by an insincere heart. Prayer without sincerity becomes a useless ceremony and an empty directive. When prayers are spoken to display personal piety we become like the hypocrites. Jesus said, “For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward” (Matt. 6:5).

When we pray “vain repetitions,” we identify ourselves with the heathen: “they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (v. 7). Both are obstacles which impede the progress of prayer.

Our prayers are hindered by doubt. “For he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed,” James said. “Let not man think he shall receive anything of the Lord; a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (Jas. 1:6-8).

Doubt reflects a lack of faith in God’s promises and in His ability to answer prayer. A “double-minded man” is a man with two hearts. That man is not going to receive wisdom or any other thing for which he might ask.

We have the assurance that if we ask according to His will and keep His commandments, He hears us and grants our petitions (1 Jn. 5:14, 15; 3:22). The fact that God listens is the basis of our prayers, and “according to his will,” is the principle determining His answer. There is not basis for doubt.

If radio’s slim fingers
Can pluck a melody
From night, and toss it over
A continent or sea —

If the petaled white notes
Of a violin
Are blown across a mountain
Or a city’s din –

If songs, like crimson roses
Are culled from thin blue air,
Why should mortals wonder
If God hears prayer?

-Edith Fuller

Let us ask, nothing doubting, recognizing that He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20).

Prayers are hindered by wrong motives. Oftentimes we ask for things to feed our selfish pleasures. “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that you may spend it in your pleasures” (Jas. 4:2, 3).

I have seen those who are resentful of the prosperity of others and who become obsessed in possessing what others have. This insatiable desire to have what the world has drives and torments the individual. He is filled with quarrels, conflicts, and strife. His worldly lust is the cause of this inward turmoil, and is the reason for the rejection of his prayer.

A Christian who tries to use prayer to obtain selfish worldly pleasure is “ask(ing) amiss.” His attitude has robbed his prayer of power.

Poor husband-wife relations hinder prayer. “Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Pet. 3:7).

Failure to honor the wife as the weaker vessel becomes the obstacle that impedes the husband’s prayer. One cannot act wrongly toward his wife and be right with God. The wife is the weaker vessel-not morally or intellectually, but physically. The knowledgeable husband will be considerate of his wife, recognizing that she has been redeemed by the blood of Christ, that she also is an heir of the grace of life.

But should the husband take advantage of his weaker vessel and become harsh, careless and brutal in his treatment of her, his prayers become ineffective. Likewise, should the wife use her limitation of strength selfishly to impose unjust and unreasonable demands on the husband, her prayers will be hindered. “Cold wars,” animosities, and fightings in the home are devastating to effectual prayer. The husband and wife cannot use one another as verbal punching bags and expect their prayers to be heard. This kind of environment is not conducive to prayer in the first place, much less to the answering of prayer. “Static” in the home will produce “static” on the prayer line.

Sin hinders prayer. “Behold, Jehovah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isa. 59:1, 2).

God will not hear impenitent children of God! Our lives must be consistent with our prayers. If not, we must make proper corrections. God will forgive any sin which the child of God confesses (1 Jn. 1:9). We must work toward that which we pray. When our prayers are not supported by righteous living, prayer becomes a mockery. Remember, it is the prayer of the righteous man that avails much (Jas. 5:16).

Our prayers are hindered when we are not at Peace with our brother. Before prayer we are to be reconciled to our brother (Matt. 5:23), and if we expect the Father to forgive us of our sins, we must forgive others (Matt. 6:15).

Prayer when understood and properly applied is a marvelous tool God has given us. It not only allows us to talk with God, but it cultivates our spiritual nature, secures blessings, obliterates anxiety-producing that peace which passes all understanding. May we be constantly on guard against those things which hinder our prayers.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 15, pp. 466-467
August 1, 1985

By Bill Hall

The tragic error of materialism lies in its failure to recognize the Christian’s true citizenship. Materialism focuses attention on the life that now is while the teaching of Christ focuses attention on that which is to come.

The Hall family once left the land of their citizenship to spend three years in Australia. Their three years in that country were pleasant. They made many friends. They enjoyed beautiful scenery along the way. They looked for opportunities to do good and lived in hope that the country would be a better place because they had lived there. When they left, there was sadness. They were leaving behind friends afid brethren, a work in which they had become emotionally involved, and a way of life that they had come to appreciate. But none of this dampened their enthusiasm for going home, for throughout their brief sojourn in Australia, they had kept in mind that the United States was their true home.

The house in Australia had been small and simple, but it had been more than adequate for three years. The furniture had been secondhand (or possibly third or fourth hand), but it really hadn’t mattered too much. Temporary conditions don’t require the very best.

Meanwhile, back at home, more permanent furniture had been carefully stored. Bank accounts had been kept open. Friendships had been continually nurtured and thought had been given to the family’s welfare when the time would come to return home. This is just the way it is with temporary residency.

How badly Christians in our generation need to recognize the temporary nature of their residency upon earth! “For our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20). When we look at the emphasis Christians place upon things. houses, cars, campers, boats, lawns, clothing, summer cottages, bank accounts, investments, etc., we get the impression that they think this earth is their home, that they will be here forever. When we see their obvious definition of success: fame, wealth, education, athletic prowess, etc., we see how enamored they are of the things of this world.

The kind of car we drive in is of no great importance; neither is the kind of house we live in, the clothing we wear, or the athletic abilities we possess. What is of great importance is the treasure we have in heaven. The number of friends we have on this earth is really of no great consequence. What is of great consequence are the friends we have in heaven who

will receive us into everlasting habitations. We are here for only a brief time; we can “make do” on little. Our riches must be stored in heaven, our permanent home.

We are not saying that this life must be miserable. It is good to enjoy the scenery along the way and to be thankful for the material possessions that make us comfortable in this life. It is good to cultivate friendships and to share the joys and sorrows of others. There is no inherent virtue in poverty or misery. But when we allow the material things of this earth to take our eyes off of heaven; when we become so engrossed with this world that we have no enthusiasm for going home; when we value our friendships here above those in heaven, we make a sad mistake and are in danger of losing our heavenly home.

When the time comes to depart, there will be sadness in leaving loved ones behind and a way of life that we have come to appreciate. To others we will have to say, “Preach the word … for the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Tim. 4:1-48). But while sadly saying good-bye to the life we have known here, we must “die in faith,” looking with genuine excitement to home over there. We paraphrase the words of one brother who said, “I am growing old and I know it won’t be long till I will be leaving this world; it won’t be long till I see God, see my Lord, and hear the angels sing, and I can hardly wait.” Our citizenship is in heaven!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 16, p. 481
August 15, 1985

By Fanning Yater Tant

Brother Charles Fletcher House of Douglas, Arizona, known throughout the nation for his total commitment to the evangelization of Mexico, died of a massive heart attack on July 1. He was seventy-two years of age. His funeral service, conducted in both English (by Mack Kercheville) and in Spanish (by Pedro Rameriz Banda) was an occasion of great sadness for all. This sorrow was particularly evident among the Mexican brethren, whom he had loved so deeply, and who had reciprocated that love to the fullest. He had lived among these people, sharing in their humble life, and had won their hearts completely. Brother House is survived by his wife, Nattalee, his aged mother, Ira Maude House, his daughter, Marilyn Grimbly, a grand-daughter, Pam Greenspon, and a great-grandson, Jason Greenspon. Also grieving at his death will be an uncounted number of his “children in the faith” who had been led to Christ by his tireless efforts.

Through the years Brother House had written hundreds of letters to churches and individuals, pleading with them to recognize the great opportunity open to us in reaching the people of Mexico. Scores had responded, and there are now a number of small Mexican churches along the Mexico-U.S. border between El Paso and San Diego-churches which for years to come will be a living testimony to the unflagging zeal and dedication of this one man. May his tribe increase!

Brethren and churches who had been interested in the Mexican work, and who had from time to time sent contributions through Brother House to be used in furthering that cause may, if they desire, continue their contacts with that field through Brother Mack Kercheville (P.O. Box 3487, El Paso, TX 79923), or Brother Melvin Rose (179 B St., Brawley, CA 92227).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 15, p. 471
August 1, 1985

In Oswald Chamber’s daily devotional guide, My Utmost For His Highest, the reader finds many pages concerning the subject of prayer. Here Is the meditation on prayer from August 23:

When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and . . . pray to thy Father which is in secret. Matthew vi. 6

Jesus did not say — Dream about thy Father in secret, but pray to thy Father In secret. Prayer is an effort of will. After we have entered our secret place and have shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is to pray; we cannot get our minds into working order, and the first thing that conflicts is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is the overcoming of mental wool-gathering. We have to discipline our minds and concentrate on wilful prayer.

We must have a selected place for prayer and when we get there the plague of flies begins This must be done, and that. “Shut thy door.” A secret silence means to shut the door deliberately on emotions and remember God. God is in secret, and He sees us from the secret place; He does not see us as other people see us, or as we see ourselves. When we live in the secret place It becomes impossible for us to doubt God, we become more sure of Him than of anything else. Your Father, Jesus says, is in secret and nowhere else. Enter the secret place, and right in the center of the common round you find God there all the time. Get Into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 15, p. 471
August 1, 1985