"Man, Do You Pray?"

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety."  Psalm 4:8

     The verse has been called David's  "Now I Lay Me," because there is little doubt but that this was an  "evening prayer."  Americans take over six tons of aspirins and sleeping pills each night in an attempt to get some rest.  Yet, how much better not only to sleep, but to do so  "peacefully"  because we know our Heavenly Father is watching over us and tenderly guarding our soul!

     Many years ago Robert Morrison, the famous missionary, was anticipating leaving for China.  While still in New York, however, he was taken seriously ill and could not take passage.  A good friend invited him to his home so that he might take care of him.  He decided to let the missionary rest in his own bed.  In the same room was a little child sound asleep in her own seven-year crib.  He decided to leave her there and not awaken her.  Not long after Missionary Morrison had crawled under the sheets, the little girl across the room opened her eyes.  She looked at the bed where she expected to see her father, but he was not there.  She was alarmed to see a strange man in his place.  Who was he?  Where was her father?  In a frightened little voice she asked,  "Man, do you pray to God?"  Mr. Morrison was touched and calmly answered,   "Yes, my dear, I pray God every day.  He is my best Friend."  That answer took the fear out of the child.  She smiled and in a few moments was again sound asleep.  After his recovery from the serious illness the missionary went on to China where he preached the unsearchable riches of Christ.  There, however, he was often in great danger, but no matter how great the difficulties and hardships, he was always able to lie down at night and sleep peacefully.  Secure in the care of his Lord, he often thought of the experience he had had in the home of his friend in New York.  He never forgot the lesson the child had taught him.  What is your answer to the little girl's question:  "Man, do you pray?"

"Bread For Each Day"