A person is a trinity in one, and yet this person is neither a trinity nor a dual being when they pray, but a unit. A person is one in all the essentials, works and attitudes of goodness. Soul, spirit and body are to unite in all things pertaining to life and godliness. The body, first of all, is engaged in prayer, since it takes on the praying position for prayer. The position of prostrate or face down of the body becomes us in praying as well as prostration of the soul. The position of the body counts for a lot when it comes to prayer, although it is true that the heart (spirit) may be proud and lifted up, and the mind lazy and wandering, and the praying a mere outward show, even while the knees are bent in prayer. Daniel kneeled on his knees three times a day in prayer. Solomon kneeled in prayer at the dedication of the temple. Our Lord in Gethsemane prostrated Himself in that memorable season of praying just before His betrayal. Where there is earnest and faithful praying the body always takes on the form most suited to the state of the soul at the time. It is at this point that the body joins the soul in praying. The entire person must pray. The whole person, life, heart, temper, mind, are all in it. Each and all join in the prayer exercise. Doubt, double-mindedness, division of the affections, are all unknown to the closet (place of prayer) nature and conduct, undefiled, made whiter than snow, are mighty influences, and are the most seemly beauties for the closet hour, and for the struggles of prayer. The loyal intelligence of a person must plan and add the energy and fire of its undoubting and undivided faith to that kind of all hour, the hour of prayer. Inevitably the mind enters into the praying. First of all, it takes thought to pray. The intellect teaches us we ought to pray. By serious thinking beforehand the mind prepares itself for approaching a throne of grace. Thought goes before entrance into the closet and prepares the way for true praying. It considers what will be asked for in the closet hour. True praying does not leave to the inspiration of the hour what will be the requests of that hour. As praying is asking for something definite of God, so, beforehand, the thought arises-What shall I ask for at this hour? All vain and evil and lighthearted thoughts are eliminated, and the mind is given over entirely to God, thinking of Him, of what is needed, and what has been received in the past. By every token, prayer, in taking hold of the entire man, does not leave out the mind. The very first step in prayer is a mental one. The disciples took that first step when they asked Jesus at one time, Lord, teach us to pray. We must be taught through our intellect, and just in so far as our intellect is given completely up to God in prayer, will we be able to learn well and eagerly the lesson of prayer. |
