Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

opportunity."PRAYER MEETING TOPICS 1955An Open LetterJan. 5 Trials and Temptations James1:1-4, 12-15; 5:7-1112 The Neglect of Prayer James4:1-1019God's Love Malachi 1:1-526 Life: The Believer's Present Possession John 5:24Feb. 2Prayer James 1:5-8; 5:13-189 Reverence in Prayer Gen. 18:22-3316 The Danger of Spurning God'sLove in Worship Mai. 1:6-14; 2:1-923 The Recognition of Great Faith-Matt. 8:10Mar. 2 Doers of the Word James 1:16-279 Confidence in Prayer Heb. 4:14-1616 The Result of Spurning God'sLoveMai. 2:10-1623 Wrong Motives in Religion John6:2630What is that in Thine Hand? Ex.4:2Apr. 6 The Royal Law James 2:1-1313 Our Father in Heaven Rom. 8:15, 1620 The Punishment for SpurningGod's Love Mai. 2:17; 3:1-627 Opportunity Brings ResponsibilityMatt. 10:15May 4 Faith and Works James 2:14-2611 The Excellent Name Psalm 818The Tithe One Proof of OurLove Mai. 3:7-1525 The Necessity of the New BirthJohn 3:3June 1 The Unbridled Tongue James3:1-128 Pray for the Kingdom Matt. 13:31-33instead of praying, as he was told to do.Mark 14:38; Luke 22:40. Pace, in oneof his cartoons, pictures a man "In thesnare of the devil" because of his neglectof prayer, and he is in a bad way. "Lord,teach us to PRAY," Luke 11:1.CONSIDER:What is Prayer? See Larger CatechismQuestions 178-186The Seriousness of Neglecting PrayerThe Reasons for Neglecting PrayerThe Results of Neglecting PrayerEffects of Prayerlessness on Churches,Preachers, Laymen.The Prayer Lives of Muller, Finney,Brainerd, Taylor, Carey, Judson, Luther,and others.Be sure to spend a good portion of the"Prayer Meeting" time in PRAYER.December 22, 195415The Day of the Lord Mai. 3:16-18; 4:1-622The Bread of Life John 6:32, 3329What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul? Mark 8:37July 6 True Wisdom James 3:13-1813 Prayer for Obedience I Sam. 15:10-16; 22, 2320The Rich Fool Luke 12:16-2127The Great "I Am" John 8:58Aug. 3 Jealousies James 4:1-510 Prayer for Daily Necessities-Matt. 6:23-3417 The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke16:19-3124 The Only Door John 10:731 Whom Say Ye That I Am? Matt.16:15Sept. 7 Humility James 4:6-1214 Prayer for Forgiveness Matt. 6:12, 14, 1521The Marriage of the King's Son-Matt. 22:1-1528The Peril of Riches Matt. 19:23Oct. 5"Man Proposes: God Disposes."James 4:13-171 2 P r a y e r Against TemptationPsalm 19:1319The Ten Virgins Matt. 25:1-1326The Reward of Self-denial LukeNov. 2.18:29, 30Riches: An Asset or a Liability? James 1:9-11; 5:1-69 The Note of Praise in Prayer IChron. 29:11-1316The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-3223 The Measure ofLiability Mark12:4330 Whom Shall I Send? Isa. 6:8Dec. 7 Personal Work James 5:19, 2014 The "Amen" in Prayer Rev. 7:1221The Pearl of Great Price Matt.13:45, 4628Life out of Death John 12 :24Synod Sabbath June 12 The Convicting Power of the Spirit John 16:7-11NOTE:It has been suggested to us that someof the prayer meeting topics and comments during the year might be especiallyprepared with a view to interest theyoung people and securing young leaders.We like the suggestion, and recommendthat the series of four topics on "GreatQuestions God Asks" be treated with thatdefinite aim in view. These topics fall onthe "fifth Wednesdays" during 1955, andshould be of special interest to youngpeople. Congregations should keep thisin mind in appointing leaders.The Committee onPrayer Meeting TopicsTithers Corner is surely a worth whilesection in our Covenanter Witness. Ifpeople really believe, they cannot refrainfrom seeking for the blessings promisedwhen people unite in this proposed covenant. The fullest blessing is promisedonly when all the tithes are brought in.Therefore it behooves each individual toexhort and encourage fellow Christians tojoin in this covenant to our mutual benefit and the advancingof his kingdom.No one has ever been found who wouldnot admit that the tithe of every memberof the Covanter Church would far surpass our estimated budget. Add to thisthe tithes of the increase promised andwhat have you? Surely there would be"meat"in the storehouse, beyond anyvision yet realized.But our responsibilty does not endhere. It is also the dutyand privilege ofthe individual to use wisdom and prayfor guidance as to where his tithe moneyshould go. Then follow up his contribution with earnest and sincere prayer forthe Lord's blessingon the project towhich he has designated his offering,thus findinginterest in prayer.a more personal and vitalAs suggested in a recent editorial in theCovenater Witness Why are our members not allowed a choice, as to wheretheir donations go? The first $110,815.00is regimented to certain specified projects, so that one individual designating$100.00 to missions means absolutelynothing, because a certain per cent of thefirst $110,815.00 willdefinitely go to eachof the specified projects. For instancehere is a congregation in which the sentiment favors giving direct to the missionary work of sending the gospel to thosewho have not heard of the true God,rather than to some other items of thebudget which they do not wish to support. Their only recourse is to give outside the church.Men by the thousands under the stressof deprivation and persecution are longingly seeking and ready to grasp at anypossible solution for their dilemmaready to try Christianity, Communism orany doctrine offered. "Man's extremityis God'sThe times demandcareful consideration of whether to workwith those who have heard and rejected,or to turn to those who are willing andanxious to receive. The burden of responsibility should rest heavily on our church,especially in regard to those who havenot heard. "How shallthey believe inhim of whom they have not heard andhow shall they hear without a preacherand how shall they preach except theybesent"(Rom. 10:14-15). There are397