A Young Man Prays

By Allen Dennis

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     Young Rick Davis glowed with the light that only a newly-born child of God can know. He had just passed his fifteenth birthday. It was his first birthday since he had become a Christian. As was the custom at his local congregation, Rick was soon approached by one of the elders and asked if he would lead in public prayer. He was flattered by the confidence expressed in him and with the sudden acceptance he had received. He happily agreed to lead in prayer the

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following Wednesday night.

     Since it was only Friday, Rick knew he would have opportunity to pay special attention to what his father said in the prayer he was to lead in the Sunday morning service. His father, a deacon in the congregation, regularly led in prayer and his petitions were often pointed out as good examples for young boys to imitate.

     When Sunday came. Rick paid close attention to the prayer directed by his father. After the singing of three songs, the familiar voice began to speak:

     "Our Father and our God, we thank Thee for this day. We are especially thankful for the privilege of assembling here, unmolested by the outside world to sing songs of praise to Thy high and holy name and to study another lesson from Thy word. We would ask that Thou wouldst be with Brother Jones this morning as he breaks unto us the bread of life. Give him a ready recollection of the things he has prepared to say and we pray that they will be the things most needful at this time, and that they might bring forth fruit to Thy name's honor and glory.
     "We pray that Brother Jones may hide himself, as it were, behind the cross, and speak without fear or favor of mankind. If there be any under the sound of our voice who are not members of Thy Son's church, we pray that something may be said or done here today which will cause them to realize their lost and undone condition and render obedience to Thee before it is everlastingly too late.
     "We would ask thy blessing upon the sick and afflicted, and especially upon those of the household of faith. We pray that if it be Thy will Thou wouldst restore them to their much wanted health, that they may soon be up and about their Father's business.
     "Be with us as sinful creatures, knowing that we do err from time to time and fall short of the glory of God. We would ask Thee to blot such things out of Thy book of remembrance, and remember them against us no more, that we may once again stand justified in Thy sight.
     "Go with us now through the remainder of this hour of worship and on through our future lives. Lead, guard, guide and direct us, go with us to our places of abode, and bring us back at the next appointed time. If we've been found faithful, own us and crown us in that upper and better kingdom where we can give Thee praise forever. In Christ's name we humbly ask it. Amen!"

     Rick was determined that he would pray almost the identical prayer that his dad had prayed. He committed the things which his father had prayed to memory and felt quite prepared to lead a good prayer. Here is the way he prayed:

     "Dear God, thank you for this wonderful day, and for the opportunity of worshiping you here without worry about threats or persecution. We are glad that we can freely sing your praise, and learn more about you and your wonderful word. We want to pray for Brother Jones when he preaches to us today, and we hope that your kingdom will be spread wider because of the things he says.
     "We pray that he will not be afraid to say things different if they are true, and that he will have the courage to witness for you rather than saying the things we prefer to hear. If there are any persons in this building today who are not Christians, we hope that today can be the time when they will have the courage to accept your Son and His principles.
     "Please, Father, bless those who are sick, not just those who are members of our faith, but all who need your help.
     "Dear God, forgive us for being what we are and always help us to remind ourselves just how unworthy we are. Please forget the things we have done which have offended you, so that we can stand, if only for a second, as sinless people.
     "Help us to worship you acceptably in the rest of this meeting and always be with us wherever we go and whatever we do. We believe your promises and we are looking forward to the coming of your heavenly kingdom. Please hear our prayer, dear God. Amen."

     The coughs, clearing of throats, and shifting in seats usually heard after

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prayers were strangely absent. In their place was a reverent silence. The young boy had said the same things in his prayer that the rest of them had always said--but somehow it was not the same. He had done something that most of them had forgotten how to do. He had reached out and grasped the hand of God.

     (Editor's Note: Allen Dennis is a candidate for the Ph. D. degree at Mississippi State University. He can be addressed at 37-H University Village, Starkville, Mississippi 39759).