Truth Magazine

By Don Willis

And be also told this parable to certain can who trusted In themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get. But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his bread, saying, God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, for every one who exults himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted (Lk. 18:9-4).

Not every prayer is an approved prayer. Simply being religious (as was the Pharisee) did not assure that God would hear his prayer. He said his prayers, fulfilled his human need in prayer; yet, the prayer was never accepted by the God of Heaven.

Jesus, teaching His disciples how to pray, instructed them: “After this manner therefore pray ye. . . ” (Mt. 6:9, KJV). There are seven petitions in the model prayer. The Hebrews attached a mystical and holy meaning to the number seven, here signifying completeness in the types of petitions. Three concern the glory of the wonderful name of God, and four the frailty of mankind.

In the model prayer, one first recognizes the (1) Glory of God’s name; (2) the Glory of the Kingdom; (3) the Glory of God’s will on earth as in Heaven; (4) the Glory of God’s Sustenance; (5) the Glory of His Deliverance from past failures; (6) the Glory of His providential Deliverance from temptations; and (7) God’s Deliverance from the evil one. The prayer of the Lord is a perfect model, and we should accept it as He gave it.

The self-centered, self-sufficient individual cannot truly pray, for he feels no need of God! He thinks he is strong, when he is weak. He has turned his back on the supernatural and refuses to confide in divinity which knocks at the door of his heart. The attitude of the one whom God hears is, “I am weak, but Thou art mighty. Hold me with thy powerful hand. Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.” In one’s weakness, lay hold on the Divine power God has placed in prayer!

One feels inadequate to say he has a list of things for which one can and should pray. I am persuaded that God is interested in every thought that we have on our minds and that we desire to place in His trust. Therefore, one can add to the list that I shall include as it fits his particular needs.

Spiritual Items For Which One Should Pray

In the model prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come.” We all understand that the kingdom is already come (Heb. 12:28; Col. 1:13; etc.). Objectively, the kingdom has been in existence since Pentecost. Subjectively, many are not yet in the kingdom. In this sense, one might still include “Thy Kingdom come” in an evangelistic sense. Possibly, one reason we have experienced a slowness of growth is because we do not more often pray for the Kingdom to come!

In Luke 17:5, realizing the difficulty arising in forgiving those who sin against us, the Apostles said (thus, a prayer) unto the Lord, “Increase our faith.” Prayer is important to our growth in faith. One realizes that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10: 17). Faith is enhanced by prayer! Too seldom do we hear in prayer, “Lord, increase our faith.”

One should pray for spiritual growth and maturity. Since Christians so depend upon God, and we recognize the need of closeness to Him while we traverse our sojourn upon the earth. “. . And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20).

Pray for the preachers of the Word of God. Pray that they might speak with boldness. “. . . And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19). Pray “. . .that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ” (Col. 4:3). Pray for the work of evangelism in the local work, and for one’s personal involvement therein.

Too, be thankful! This is a command. “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Be thankful to God, to Christ, to the Spirit, to the preachers who taught you, to the elders who watch for your soul, to the brethren in the Lord, to the love that abounds.

Personal Items For Which One Should Pray

Jesus taught one to pray for his daily bread. That’s a command. Some teach that personal needs are not to be included in prayer. Jesus did not so teach! Human weaknesses and incompleteness should drive one instinctively to prayer, and become the ultimate means of establishing an abiding fellowship with God.

In weakness we turn to God for rest. The crosses we bear are often heavy, and we grow weary. One becomes so tired that he cannot find peace in any of the normal pursuits of life. In prayer, we receive the strength to “rest in the Lord.”

In weakness we turn to God for strength. Faced with the business competition, the striving of men for position and power, we realize our lack of strength to fight and win. There are moments in which we feel so small and insignificant. Suddenly, in prayer, we find the strength from above. Recall God reassuring Paul, “. . . My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).

In sickness we turn to God for strength. “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him. . . ” (Jas. 5:14). Much sickness arises from mental and emotional maladjustments. One is irritable and unstrung because of people and things. Nervous and impatient, we find fault with everyone. Morbid influences possess our minds and cast dark shadows upon both body and soul. We take our beds and seek relief in hospitals or ocean cruises. Whether the illness be real or imagined, the Great Physician is just as near as our prayers. Health is the gift of God, and every breath we draw is by His mercy. In an atmosphere of prayer, God is able to heal and bless!

In loneliness we turn to God for companionship. Who has not had moments when he felt he had been deserted by everyone, even friends and family? Everyone else seems happy. Everyone else seems to have found the proverbial gold at the end of the rainbow. No one cares about us, and have passed us by, have forsaken us, and we are left alone! Others have found the way, but the path we are traveling leads to a blind end. Like the Psalmist, “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul” (142:4). Then, prayer opens a door. We find a Friend “that sticketh closer than a brother” who is “touched with the feelings of our infirmities” and offers us a “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Truly, “What a Friend we have in Jesus!”

In temptation we turn to God for deliverance. All are tempted at some crucial hour of life. Life is a continual battle zone. Our unaided strength is seldom sufficient to gain the victory. In prayer, we find one who fights for us. He delivers us out of our troubles and sets our feet on higher ground. Remember: God “…will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10: 13). God controls the severity of the temptation. He will not permit it to be beyond our ability to withstand. And then, He always provides a way of escape.

In sorrow we turn to God for comfort. A heavy heart is one of the greatest burdens. Loss of property, health, position or a loved one plunges one into gloom. The only one who can truly wipe away our tears is the Comforter, and He is best found in prayer. Every great character possesses some scars, and through the tears of sorrow are found the gates of heaven.

In sin we turn to God for salvation. One outside Christ needs to accept the power of the blood, and render obedience to the gospel in order to be made free from sin (Rom. 5:9; 6:3-4, 17-18; Heb. 5:9). Even after initial obedience to the gospel, we frequently break God’s laws, overstepping the boundaries of good and evil, doing things we ought not do. Even Christians often miss the mark set by God for moral activity. Evil thoughts, deceit, pride, foolishness, anger, etc. are common sins to all of us. Adultery, murder, theft, etc. are tragedies that wreck many lives. Prayer offers a way to God! The Christian needs to repent and recommit himself to the Lord. There is mercy and forgiveness, and a new life awaiting to those who call upon God in genuine faith, repentance, and a willingness to do His will in obedience in their lives.

In death we turn to God for our immortal hope. Prayer has always been a channel of blessing in the hour of death. We leave all earthly possessions, all physical advantages, even our closest family ties. Only here can we have the hand of God to guide us through the dark valley.

Prayer Is The Solution To All Of Life’s Problems!

The Value Of Intercessory Prayer

Paul informed the brethren in Ephesus that he made “…mention of you in my prayers” (1:16). He told Timothy, “. . .I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. . . ” (2 Tim. 1: 3).

When Paul gave command, “Rejoice with those that rejoice, and weep with those that weep” (Rom. 12:15), this would include remembrance in prayer! Pray for brethren both in sorrow and happiness.

Pray for the weak brother in Christ! In an effort to restore the weak brother (Gal. 6:1), one’s attitude is so important. Prayer will assist. Paul further commands us to “bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves” (Rom. 15:1). Prayer is essential for our weak brother, but also for us in reaching out to them!

Pray “on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Give honor to the king (1 Pet. 2:17), rendering unto him the things that belong to him (Mt. 22:21).

And, pray for the lost of the worldi Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10). Paul said, pray that “God may open up to us a door for the world” (Col. 4:3) It is difficult to understand why the same gospel will reach one lost person to obedience, but the other’s heart is untouched. We might pray for God to “open her heart to respond to the things spoken . . .” (Acts 16:14)

Conclusion

Peter encourages, “. . . casting all your anxiety (cares, KJV) upon Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). “We love, because He first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19). “If God be for us, who is against us?” (Rom. 8:31) “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

When the road is rough and the way is dim,
Jesus knows, Jesus cares,
When the darkness comes we can go to Him,
Jesus knows, Jesus cares.

When the heart is sad over one untrue,
Jesus knows, Jesus cares.
Go to Him in prayer, He will strengthen you,
Jesus knows, Jesus cares.

When you say good-by to your dearest friend,
Jesus knows, Jesus cares.
He will comfort you until life shall end,
Jesus knows, Jesus cares.

He knows from His throne above,
He cares with a perfect love!
Go to Jesus for peace, go to Him for rest;
Jesus knows, Jesus cares.

-Paul H. Epps

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 15, pp. 453-454, 461
August 1, 1985

By Ronny Milliner

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased,” Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age (Lk. 3: 21-23a).

Jesus began His ministry praying. He ended it praying, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commend My spirit'” (Lk. 23:46, all references from the NKJV).

If there ever was a man who prayed without ceasing (cf. 1 Thess. 5:17), it was Jesus of Nazareth. He prayed “in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight” (Mk. 1:35). He prayed during the day (Matt. 15:36; Jn. 11:41-42); and He prayed during the night (Matt. 14:23).

Jesus was also One who prayed everywhere (cf. 1 Tim. 2:8). He prayed in the mountains (Mk. 6:46), in the wilderness (Lk. 5:16), and in the city (Mt. 26:26-29). He even prayed on the cross (Mk. 15:34; Lk. 23:34,46).

Jesus is our example. We are to imitate Him. What kind of praying did Jesus do? Let’s take a look at some of the prayers of Jesus.

A Secluded Prayer

Jesus felt He needed to get alone to speak with His Father. After a busy day of teaching and performing miracles and before the start of another such day, Jesus arose “a long while before daylight . . . . went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mk. 1:35). Luke records this custom of Jesus in Luke 5:16. “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” After the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus “went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. And when evening had come, He was alone there” (Mt. 14:23).

There are times when we need to get away from the busy affairs of this life to seek solace with our Heavenly Father. Do we rise early in the morning to rush off to work, work all day, rush home to participate in some family affair, and then drop into bed late in the evening, realizing we really have not spent much time speaking with our Father in Heaven? Let us follow the example of Jesus. “Go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Mt. 6:6).

A Public Prayer

While Jesus knew the importance of getting alone to be with His Father, He also knew the importance of praying in the sight of others. He took Peter, James, and John with Him up on the mountain of transfiguration to pray (Lk. 9:28-29). At the tomb of Lazarus Jesus prayed, “Father, I thank you that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me” (Jn. 11:41-42). Jesus certainly did not pray just to be seen of men, for He condemned such action in Matthew 6:5. But by being seen praying, He was showing Himself an example in prayer.

Do others see us praying? Does your family see you praying? Do those with whom you work or go to school know you as a man of prayer? Are you willing to pray in public in giving thanks for your food like Paul did (Acts 27:35)? Surely you are not ashamed of others seeing you pray, are you?

A Spanning Prayer

On one occasion Jesus’ praying spanned all night (Lk. 6:12). This prayer was made before His calling of the twelve apostles. Surely, Jesus was not guilty of “vain repetitions” in such a prayer. He had taught earlier:

But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like than. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him (Mt. 6:7-8).

How much time do we spend in prayer to God? We sometimes sing about the “sweet hour of prayer.” Have we ever prayed for an hour? Have we ever prayed for, thirty minutes or even fifteen minutes? Do we just rush through our prayers repeating the same old cliches?

The amount of time we spend praying says something about our closeness to God. We enjoy spending time with those with whom we are close. Since our parents live some distance from us, my wife and I enjoy speaking with them on the telephone (as evidenced by our long distance phone bills). We just hate to have to end the conversation. Brethren, God has a toll-free number; we can speak with Him for as long as we feel the need. What a blessing!

A Short Prayer

While He prayed at length at times, Jesus also knew that brief prayers have their place. Notice an example in John 12:27-38 where He prayed, “Father save Me from this hour: But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Jesus’ last prayer was brief. “Father, ‘into Your hands I commend My spirit'”(Lk. 23:46).

We should not pray long prayers just for long prayer)s sake. Let us realize that we can express our heart ‘s desire to God at any time, expressing our burdens and cares in short statements as was characterized by Jesus. We can go to Him often in thanksgiving and praise for the good things we enjoy through the day.

A Supplicating Prayer

Supplications were a part of Jesus’ prayers. At times He prayed for Himself as He did in John 12-27. In Luke 22:31-32 He told Peter, “Simon, Simon! Indeed Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. ” Jesus prayed for this disciple whom He knew later would deny Him. In Matthew 19:13 people were bringing the little children to Jesus that He might “put His hands on them and pray.” Jesus even prayed for His enemies, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Lk. 23:34). In the Lord’s prayer in John 17, He prayed for Himself (17:1-5), for His apostles (17:6-19), and for us (17:20-26).

Our prayers ought to be filled with requests both for ourselves and for others. The Bible reveals for whom we should pray. (For more details on this point, see the article in this issue entitled, “For What Should I Pray?”)

A Satisfied Prayer

There are so many good things for which we can be satisfied in this life. Because this fact was also true in the life of Jesus, thanksgiving was often a part of Jesus’ praying. In Matthew 15:36 He gave thanks for the loaves and the fish. In Matthew 11:25-26 he prayed, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.” He also expressed thanks to God for the Father’s hearing His prayers (Jn. 11:41-42).

Jesus assured us that our prayers would also be answered by God. He said, “Ask, and it will be given unto you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Mt. 7:7-8). If we meet the conditions laid down in the Bible, our prayers will be answered. How satisfying to know we have that blessing. We have so many material and spiritual blessings for which we should be thankful. So, “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2).

A Schooling Prayer

On one occasion when Jesus was praying, a disciple asked Him to teach them to pray, so Jesus schooled them in prayer (Lk. 11:14). He taught them to praise God in their prayers-“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” He taught them to pray for the Father’s will to be done”Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” He taught them to pray for their physical needs — “Give us day by day our daily bread.” He taught them to pray for their spiritual needs — “And forgive us our sins. For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us, And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

On other occasions Jesus taught many other things concerning prayer. (See article “Parables on Prayer.”) Do we teach others how to pray? Are we teaching our children how to pray? Do we teach new babes in Christ how to pray? Apparently Jesus thought His disciples needed to be taught how to pray. What about disciples today?

A Submissive Prayer

In the face of death, Jesus sought the Father’s will to be done. He prayed, “Father if it is Your will, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done” (Lk. 22:42). Jesus made this request with much emotion. The Hebrew writer later described this event by saying, “who, in the days of His flesh, when He offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear” (Heb. 5:7). It was always Jesus’ desire to do the Father’s will (Heb. 10:7), and His prayers were no exception.

We need to have the same attitude, knowing that our Father knows best. Some things for which we ask may not truly be in our best interest. Thanks be to God that He answers our prayers with our well-being in mind. Remember to pray for His will to be done.

Conclusion

About whom have we been speaking? The One who prayed these prayers was the divine Son of God. How much more do we adopted sons of God need to cry out, “Abba, Father” (Gal. 4:4-6)!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 15, pp. 455-456
August 1, 1985

 

By Mike Willis

Prayer is “an earnest entreaty addressed to God”(Webster). In order to pray, man must have certain concepts about His God. The recent surveys which I have read bout the prayer life of Christians and the personal contact which I have had with Christians lead me to believe that Christians are not spending very much time in prayer.

I am convinced that some of this is caused by an erosion of our faith in God. Have we over-reacted to Pentecostalism’s teaching that God is presently working miracles to such an extent that we are convinced that asking God to heal a sick man is useless at best, and at worst an ignorant disregard of His expressed statements that miracles have ceased? We pray for the doctors and nurses who are attending the sick, but rarely do we ask the Lord to heal someone among us who is sick.

We may be approaching the deistic concept of God. Deists incorrectly say that God’s relationship to the universe can be compared to a man who wound up a clock and set it on a shelf to run down. Have we a deistic concept of God? Do we imagine Him so far removed from the day-today operation of the universe that He will not intervene in the affairs of man? Do we conceive of Him as being willing to change His planned course of action as a result of our prayers?

In order for man to pray effectively, his concept of God must be such that he believes that praying makes a difference. If man reaches the conclusion that prayer will do no good, that he prays out of duty but with a sense of futility, he will not pray in faith. Because of these misconceptions about God’s reaction to man’s prayers, let us explore these attributes of God which make prayer reasonable.

The Prayer-Hearing God

David addressed God as follows: “O thou that hearest prayer” (Psa. 65:2). Even as Jehovah is described as the Almighty (Gen. 17:1-2), the God who provides (Gen. 22:14), the God who sees, and other names, He is also known as the God who hears prayer. The Lord is immutable; the psalmist wrote, “. . thou art the same” (Psa. 102:27). Even as God has not changed in other aspects of His character, He is also unchanged in respect to hearing prayer.

The belief that God does hear prayer demands the following concepts to be accepted:

1. That God exists. There is no use to pray if there is no God. Prayer is not soliloquy-man talking to himself. Prayer is man addressing God. If there is no God, there is no reason for man to pray. Some men do not pray because they have become atheists and agnostics. Before a man prays, he must believe that God is and that He is the rewarder of them who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

2. That God hears. Not only does man believe that God exists, he also must believe that God can and will hear prayer. The concept that God will hear my prayer demonstrates man’s faith in God’s omniscience. Millions of people from various places on this globe are lifting their voices to God in prayer. He hears every individual’s prayer. My concept of deity must be one that believes in a personal God who hears man’s prayers. An impersonal “force” or power does not respond to prayer.

3. That God cares. To believe that God will answer my prayer, I must believe that God cares for me. Jesus taught, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Lk. 12:6-7). “. . . for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matt. 7:32). The Lord in heaven is aware of you and your needs; “for he careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). Why would I cast my petitions on God unless I was convinced that He cares for me?

Frank E. Graeff (1860-1919), Methodist preacher, wrote “Does Jesus Care?” while experiencing severe despondency, doubt and physical agony. The words of this song reassure us that Jesus does care for us, a thought so essential for one to be habitual in prayer.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press,
And the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades
Into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong,
When for my deep grief
There is no relief
Tho’ my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodby”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches
Till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

O yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary,
The long night dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

4. That God is able. For me to pray to God, I must believe that He is able to do s6mething to relieve my need. This implies that God is omnipotent, the Almighty. Paul assures us that God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 4:20). To take my petitions to one who has no ability to answer my needs is useless. In that case, about all one can do is to have sympathy and pity. My friends can extend sympathy and pity. However, God is able to act to change my conditions and situation.

5. That God will act. For me to pray, I must believe that my prayer will have an impact on God, motivating Him to act in my behalf. Jesus said,

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him (Matt. 7:7-11).

In response to Israel’s cry because of the oppression in Egypt, God raised up Moses to deliver His people (Ex. 3:9). In response to Elijah’s prayer, the Lord withheld rain from Israel for three and one-half years; in response to another one of his prayers, he sent rain to Israel (Jas. 5:18). In response to Hezekiah’s prayer, God added fifteen years to his life (2 Kgs. 20). In response to the church’s prayer, Peter was released from Herod’s prison (Acts 12). God heard these prayers, cared about the plight of the people, and acted to relieve their suffering. I must believe the same God cares in the same way about me and will act in response to my prayers. If this is not true, why pray?

6. That God has infinite wisdom. I come to God in prayer, like Jesus who said, “Not my will but thine be done.” I recognize that I do not always ask what I need. The God to whom I pray will exercise the wisdom to decide how to answer my prayers, not always giving me what I ask, but always giving me what I need.

This was scribbled almost a century ago by an anonymous soldier of the Confederacy:

I asked for help, that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for — but everything I hoped for.

Despite myself, my prayers were answered. I am among all men, most richly blessed.

Conclusion

When Jesus gave the parable of the unjust judge (Lk. 18:1-4), He was teaching us that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Lk. 18:1). When He concluded the parable, He said, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Lk. 18:8) Men will not pray unless they have faith.

My brethren, if we are not praying, we lack faith. We need to go back to our fundamental concepts of God and reaffirm our commitment to them. Let us not be so subtly influenced by the infidelity around us that we reach the conclusion that prayer does no good and quit praying.

Having faith in God, let us join together in offering our petitions to him in prayer. “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 18:19). “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jas. 5:16). Do you believe these statements? If so, should we be spending more time in prayer and less time worrying?

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 15, pp. 450, 470
August 1, 1985

By Theron N. Bohannan

Roy E. Cogdill gave up this life of dwelling in his tabernacle of clay soon after the close of the Lord’s day, May 12, 1985, following his 78th birthday, April 24, 1985. Brother Roy had suffered much for years with cancer. He submitted to the scalpels of outstanding surgeons in Texas and at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, many times. Each time, he would tell me and my wife that he had no intention of ever letting the surgeon’s knife touch his body again. Each time he had surgery, I was at his side by telephone prior to, during, and immediately afterwards (as soon as he was able to communicate by phone). We visited, prayed and cried together. When he was better, we would have good laughs together. I was always able to contain my emotions until I could get off to myself. Oh! How I (we) loved that man, as such, and even so much more for his work’s sake.

Roy E. Cogdill was not only a great general in our Lord’s army, but a great human being. As a young man, he had to work hard to contribute to the support of his widowed mother and her five fatherless children. Roy’s father died of gas inhalation in an unfortunate accident while cleaning a large tank. As a result, Roy’s mother, a Christian and a gracious lady, was left with five children to rear, educate secularly, and teach how to live a life which would make Christians of them. Roy had four sisters, but no brothers.

The Cogdills lived on a farm just out of Hobart in midwestern Oklahoma at the time of the father’s death. Hobart, Oklahoma is practically unknown to most faithful Christians, but many of you have passed about forty miles north of it as you passed through Weatherford and Clinton on old highway U.S. 66 (now 1-40) on your way to or from California about 100 miles west of Oklahoma City. Hobart is also 21 miles south of Cordell. A two-year college operated by brethren was located here. This is where Roy received his first college work. I have visited it many times. It was called for a number of years, “Cordell Christian College” (a name I do not endorse). These facts will help the reader locate Roy’s early life geographically.

Roy Cogdill was not one who went to some (sic) seminary to learn how, what, and what not to preach. He did not, like so many today, and their numbers are increasing, think he had found an easy way to make a living. At a later point in his life, Roy studied law and became a reputable attorney. However, the great text book in Roy’s life was always the precious word of the Lord. His Bible always got the most study and meditative time during these years. Morning, noon, and night, the Bible came first. In his practice of law, Roy became the anchor attorney for one of America’s great corporations, the Folger Coffee Company. As an attorney, Roy was successful, but even during the years of law practice, he continued to preach as much as possible.

At one point in his career as a lawyer, Roy was called to Washington, D.C. to serve as a consultant to the government. Roy was never to learn exactly why he was called or who was the occasion for his having been called. His association with the Folger Coffee Co. as a successful legal representative no doubt is the answer. Roy had much experience in dealing with our foreign neighbors to the south, South America and other coffee bean bearing countries. Roy has told me that he met with the highest ranking officers at the Pentagon on several occasions and even consulted on one occasion with the Supreme Court. What an honor! It is impossible for me to place all these matters chronologically, because I have surrendered all of my materials to those who have been working on Roy’s biography over the past several years: first Cecil Willis, then Yater Tant, and now Steve Wolfgang. Roy and I have traveled much together: debates, lectureships, and helping settle troubles in congregations. Without the notes mentioned, I cannot always be certain as to exactly when these things occurred. On all of these occasions, most of our time was spent discussing the deeper Bible teachings. I was always a good listener having long before realized I was being privileged to sit at the feet of one of the greatest teachers of our time.

Among those things which I have turned over to Roy’s biographers has been a rather extensive correspondence with Roy covering years of time and some pictures made with men such as Foy E. Wallace, Jr., C.R. Nichol, and Guy N. Woods. Most of these men had been forced to sleep with me (before I was married) in my father’s home-Thomas F. Bohannan-while holding meetings in our area. I think G.H.P Showalter was among this number on two occasions. Also, Roy and I crossed paths with the great old general, W.W. Otey of Winfield, Kansas.

I think I first met Roy E. Cogdill in 1938 at the old Tenth and Francis congregation in Oklahoma City where he was holding a meeting. I also met his first wife, Lorraine Cogdill, at this time. We later met her on several occasions and learned to love and admire her for she was an exceptionally intelligent, sweet, and wonderfully gracious Christian. We wish we could have known her longer and better before the Lord called her away.

I had been a reader of the original Gospel Guardian published by Foy E. Wallace, Jr., in the mid-thirties. When digression began to raise its ugly head among the congregations in the late forties, brother Roy became involved in leading the fight against it. He joined with Foy E. Wallace, Jr., in using the Bible Banner (the old Gospel Guardian had ceased publication and after a time brother Wallace had begun publishing the Bible Banner monthly) as a medium in the fight. In 1949, brother Roy and brother Yater Tant as publisher and editor respectively reactivated the Gospel Guardian as a national weekly through which to wage the growing battle. They obtained other top and sound brethren, all being of the finest vintage of gospel preachers and gifted and talented writers such as: James W. Adams; the late Luther Blackmon; Cecil B. Douthitt; C.R. Nichol; Hoyt H. Houchen; and many more.

After the death of his first wife, brother Cogdill married Venita (Nita) Williams Faulkner, a recently widowed Christian with two young children. She was a faithful member of the Tenth and Francis congregation in Oklahoma City. Roy had moved to Oklahoma City and was conducting meetings from there. On the return of Nita and Roy from their honeymoon in Hawaii, Roy dropped off to conduct a meeting for us at Canoga Park in southern California where I served as one of the elders. Nita continued on to Oklahoma City. Roy stayed with Lennis and me in our home during the meeting of ten days. I think he also conducted another meeting while he was there and continued to make his home with us. Roy made his home our home numbers of times when he was holding meetings in southern California. Whether we were home or not, Roy had a key to our house.

In about 1961, Roy, Nita and their children moved to Canoga Park to work locally with us at Winnetka Avenue. After Roy had been with us a year or two, a congregation a couple of hundred miles north called brother Roy and insisted on his coming up and helping them with a rather nasty internal problem. They told him to bring Theron Bohannan with him to help. Roy and I stayed at the same motel. Roy met and worked with about half the congregation before noon and I the other half. We then swapped groups in the afternoon. Then, come evening at 7:30, everybody met in the meeting house and brother Roy Cogdill preached to all, and did he preach God’s truth with courage and his great power without favor to any! With God’s blessings, the congregation was saved and started growing and has grown through the years. They were a really taught congregation!

One afternoon, about two hours before s0vices, I had dozed off to sleep. Roy was studying. We had not brought a concordance with us. Roy could not remember a verse of Scripture he really wanted to use, so he awoke me and said, “Get up from there and either tell me where that Scripture is or help me find it.” We never did find it, and the matter became humorous to me the last thirty minutes before time for services. Roy, still mumbling and grumbling (I was under no pressure), turned to me and in his bass voice asked, “What are you laughing about?”

I told him, “I am really going to enjoy seeing you work yourself out of this one.” With brother Roy at the helm, I was not worried although it was an important verse with reference to the point of that night’s lesson. I could relate many such incidents. How I, as well as thousands of others, loved that man for his work’s sake!

About a year ago, Lennis and I spent a day and a night with brother and sister Cogdill in their home at Katy, Texas (greater Houston). We had not seen them since they moved from Conroe. I had kept in touch with Roy by telephone. I could listen and talk to Roy by the hour without tiring, and I believe the feeling was mutual. I remember so well that 1984 visit. My wife, Lennis, also loved Roy like no other man outside her own family for many reasons. Not desiring to tire Roy too much and having a board meeting of the Guardian of Truth Foundation (I am the senior member of the board) to attend, we pulled out but not until a number of pictures had been made of the four of us, Roy, Nita, Lennis, and me. Before Roy became ill, I had worked with him on the board of the Cogdill Foundation of which he was the president. He never treated the board like unlearned and insignificant subordinates. They were no big “I’s” and little “You’s.” Brother Cogdill possessed that peculiar power of leadership that many years of hard study, prayerful meditation and experience produces. The last is the best teacher of all, the wit has wisely said. Roy Cogdill’s great heart and love of all men wanted to hear and understand every word and those big, blue eyes peered, as he listened, right through words as they were spoken to the heart of a person realizing the full impact of the Lord’s meaning when he said, “. . . from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Mt. 13:34).

When so many who loved Roy showed up to “give honor to whom honor is due,” at his last “birthday celebration,” April 23, 1985 (his birthday was April 24), Theron and Lennis Bohannan were among the number. Actually, it was a worship service with a number of different speakers with scriptural subjects befitting the name of the Lord and commending an old general of the Lord’s army for being so truly dedicated to the cause of truth for so many years. It honored this writer mightily to accept an insistent invitation to the Cogdill home to talk with brother Roy. I sat at his bedside for about five hours talking. Most of the time we were alone. From time to time sister Nita would come in to see about her patient. Roy and I did our best to cover about fifty years of reminiscence. We laughed, cried, and prayed together. After the first forty-five minutes, Roy rolled over on his side; his color turned from a chalky gray to a nice, normal pink, and sister Cogdill told me, “You should have come three or four weeks ago; look at the color in his face, and he hasn’t rolled over like that for weeks without help.”

When Roy passed away, in keeping with Roy’s wishes, I was among the first to be called. When Nita told me that Roy had died just as the Lord’s day was ending, I knew that his death had come just as he would have wanted it. He had gone to worship both Lord’s day morning and evening (which he had not done for some time). He was tired, so retired early and awoke about midnight suffering massive heart failure. He was laid to rest at Hobart, Oklahoma at noon, May 15th in a family plot only a short distance from his sainted mother’s grave.

The last Sunday we were together this side of eternity, I asked Roy, “If you were beginning your life all over today, would you live and follow the same lines you have thus far in your life?”

He answered something to this effect: “Yes, I wouldn’t know any other way and would not learn it if there were another.” Then he quotes 2 Timothy 4:6-8: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Then he said, “Brother Theron, I have made many mistakes, and I am far from thinking I have been sinless, as the apostle Paul said in Romans, ‘All have sinned.’ You and I have talked of these things in the past at great length in one way or another. I don’t know about being ready to be offered, but I have fought a good fight and kept the faith, and I think I have about finished my course, and there is no doubt in my mind about a crown of righteousness which the Lord has for me in that last and great day, as well as for all them that will love to see His coming again to claim His own.”

Those who love the Lord and His precious cause ought to hold souls, like this soldier and fighter for the truth of the cause of the cross of our King, in high esteem. We should strive even more to go to heaven just to be with our brother who will be there. There we can all talk to our Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus as an elder brother, and to all the good, obedient souls who have ever lived in this old world of woe and tears and sadness. Roy Cogdill kept this writer (and many others) from slipping into the looseness of man’s ideology, so-called “liberalism,” while it was still in its infancy many years ago with his powerful and loving teaching, so it has been a joy for me to write (along with others) about the Lord God and standing foursquare for the cause of Christ and the willingness to give up friends and kinsmen for His cause in a memorial issue of Guardian of Truth dedicated to Roy’s life and service.

May the Lord bless sister Nita Cogdill and all other members of the family in their hours, weeks, and months of sadness and loneliness.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 14, pp. 432-434
July 18, 1985