The Teaching of Jesus

e saying suggests that Christ knew how easy it is for us to faint and grow weary in our prayers. Men cease from prayer on many grounds. Som

y asked but they did not receive, they sought but they did not find, they knocked but no door was opened to them; there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded; and now they ask, they seek, they knock no more. And some of us there are who do not pray because, as one

t. And even more than by His words does Christ by His example prompt us to prayer. Turn, e.g., to the third Gospel. All the Evangelists show us Jesus at pr

ed, and praying, the heav

f in the deserts, a

t out into the mountain to pray; and He con

praying alone, the discipl

and James and went up into the mountain to pray. And as He was praying the fashion of

when He ceased, one of the disciples said unto Him, Lord, tea

at he might sift you as wheat; but I made supplica

vertheless not My will, but Thine be done.... And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly, an

rgive them; for they know n

how much greater need have we, the red

traightway they tell Him of her; and He came and took her by the hand, and raised her up." So the day wore on toward evening and sunset, when "they brought unto Him all that were sick, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And He healed many that were sick with divers diseases and cast out many devils." So closed at last the long day's busy toil. "And in the morning, a great while before day, He rose up and went out and departed into a desert place, and there prayed;" as if just because He was so much

t the distant sky-line is the steeple of a church. It is the evening hour, and as the bell rings which calls the villagers to worship, the workers in the field lay aside the implements of their toil, and with folded hands and bowe