The Prayers of the Prodigal: Part V

Tip! Prayer is no little thing, no selfish and small matter. It does not concern the selfish insignificant interests of one person. The littlest prayer expands out by the will of God till it touches all words, preserves all interests, and develops man's greatest wealth, and God's greatest good.

Now some of you are asking, "What about the prodigal's prayers?" We will come to them soon, but in order to appreciate his prayers let us review a little. What was the character of his first prayer? Was it not, "Give me"? Prayer is a sincere desire of the heart which causes one to focus all his forces toward the realization of that desire. It may not always be expressed in words; it may be the actuating and dominating force in your innermost being causing you to bring to play all your powers for its material gratification.

As a lad at home the younger son was "eaten up", as we say, with the desire to hold in his own hands the powers of his life. It became a prayer--"Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me." He wanted material things and got them. He misused his powers and gifts in life. He exhausted them, and discovered that they could not and did not serve to satisfy the deep-seated desire for life.

So the revelation of the spiritual side of life and its meaning and the vision of growth and development of the real being and personality he found himself to be, roused him to a new prayer. "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants." How righteous and glorious is such a prayer! Now the father can take a hand in the matter and can make him into the desire of his heart.

The Christian character which God desires to manifest through us is not like a gift or an isolated experience which may be realized in a moment. The new birth is that and so is the Baptism of the Spirit. Both are spoken of as gifts--and gifts may be received and possessed immediately. But Christian character comes by a process, building, growth, and continual development. The new birth is unto and the Baptism of the Spirit is unto the eternal purpose of conformity to the divine. Listen to these wonderful words which back up this truth:

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son."

"And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one even as we are one."

"But we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

"Till we all come in. the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Tip! The entire principle of Bible teaching is to illustrate the great truth that God hears and answers prayer. One of the great purposes of God in His book is to impress on us permanently the great importance, the priceless value, and the absolute necessity of asking God for the things that we need for our time on earth and eternity.

We are born of the Spirit and so become partakers of the divine nature which gives us the basic, potential material for the ideal. We are also baptized in the Holy Spirit which gives us the power for the mighty transformation and accomplishment of His purpose: making us witnesses to that image. You will remember Jesus said, "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me..." Note He does not say, "Ye shall become servants unto me." We serve by means of gifts and callings, divine and supernatural qualifications. He says, witnesses--the word really means martyr. It suggests the whole life as a living testimony rather than the restricted meaning usually taught--such as to testify, speak, serve or minister for Him. Of course, to testify or speak for Him is included, but is only a fragmentary aspect of this mighty witnessing wrought by the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. The whole life witnesses (even unto martyrdom) to His name, character, nature, conduct, likeness and image.

Tip! God is so concerned that people pray that He has promised to answer prayer. He has not promised to do something general if we pray, but He has promised to do the very thing for which we pray.

We also receive gifts of the Spirit. This is the equipment for service. We are to occupy until He comes. The gifts thus exercised become channels and means of expression for the life of Christ within.

So you see, my dear, young friends, we are greatly privileged in having in our hearts and working through us the sweet and at the same time powerful Spirit of God. He has come to make us. Perhaps you, too, prayed, "Give me, give me," and God gave you the gift of the Spirit (the portion of goods that falleth to you). Is He now making you?