Tuts issue emphasizes the recent plan known as the "School of Prayer." Those who developed this excellent program have been leaders in the work for years. What these faithful servants have done is to bring the art of praying within the grasp of everyone. There are no gimmicks, no tricks, just a simple organization of ideas and methods that brings prayer into tangible focus. The following concrete suggestions should be studied very carefully before trying them in your own churches.
The founding faculty of this plan—C. M. Mellor, A. L. Ham, T. G. Bunch, Mrs. Bunch, and Miss M. E. Dauphinee—developed a mimeographed book entitled Communion With God. It is composed mainly of Spirit of Prophecy statements. The Ministerial Association, in cooperation with the Ellen G. White Estate and with the permission of the above-named group, is sponsoring this inexpensive book, printed by the Pacific Press. Communion With God is on the press now and will be available soon through your local Book and Bible House. All who enroll in the School of Prayer should possess a copy. This will prove a wonderful blessing.
To make religion tangible and realistic is the difficult duty of every minister. This never has been an easy task. The scientific advance of the twentieth century has made it even more immense. Our world today is so visible, so touchable, so perceptible. An unwanted by-product of this materialistic age is the reduction of religion from the real to the fictitious.
As an illustration of this point, consider the act of praying. In the past, men like Lincoln fell to their knees imploring God for guidance and strength if for no other reason than that there was no alternative. Today, man believes he can do something about impossible situations. With world leaders, the ultimate is not prayer, but orders that unleash rockets and armies. To stand still and know there is a God who still rules in the universe is too unrealistic. Furthermore, many who pray today do it in such a formal fashion that it means little or nothing. In fact, we heard that one minister, whose duties required much letter dictation, climaxed a public petition to God with the words, "Very sincerely yours"!
When the disciples came to our Lord with the plea, "Lord, teach us to pray," they felt a need. That need is evident today. Many of our precious members just don't know how to lay hold of the arm of God. This plan will certainly help them—and you too!
J. R. S.