CHAPTER X.
PRAYER.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. — Jesus.
Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask
Him. — Jesus.
THOUGHTS unspoken are not unknown to the
divine Mind. Desire is prayer; and no
Definition.
loss can occur from trusting God with our
desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before
they take form in word and deed.
What are the motives of prayer? Do we pray to make ourselves better, or to benefit those who hear us, — to Motives. enlighten the ignorance of the Infinite, or to be heard of men? Are we benefited by praying? The desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and does not return unto us void.
God is not moved by the breath of praise to do more than He has already done; nor can the Infinite do less Deity unchangeable. than bestow all good, since He is unchanging Wisdom and Love. We can perhaps do more for ourselves by petitions; but the All-perfect does not grant them simply on the ground of lip-service, for He already knows all.
