In the
world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome
the world._" In the presence of that reminder and rebuke, the prayer,
abashed, turns away its face and departs. Like the accusers of the
woman taken in the act of sin, prayers like these are inwardly
convicted of unfitness, and go forth.

The words of Christ forbid unsuitable prayer, but they also stir the
heart with great desire for the realization of those good things which
Christ has promised to them that love Him. In this sense prayer
becomes a dialogue between the Master who says, "Seek ye My face," and
the disciple who responds, "Thy face, Lord, will I seek."

(5) _Fruit-bearing._--"I appointed you that ye should bear fruit
that . . ." (John xv. 16). In other words, answers to prayers depend
very largely on our ministry to others. If we are prompted by desire
for our own comfort, peace, or enjoyment, we shall stand but a poor
chance of audience in the secret of His presence. If, on the other
hand, our prayers are connected with our fruit-bearing--that is, with
our ministry to others, with the coming of the kingdom, and the
accomplishment of God's purpose of salvation--the golden sceptre will
be extended to us, as when Ahasuerus said to Esther, "What is thy
request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed."

Is sun needed to ripen the fruit? Ask for it. The Father waits to
give it. Is dew or rain needed that the pitchers may be filled to the
brim with water which is to be made wine? Ask for it. God is not
unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love. Ask for all but
pruning; this the Father will administer, according to the good
pleasure of His goodness. The fruit-bearing branches have a right to
claim and appropriate all that is needed for the sweetening and
ripening of their precious burden.

The temple of prayer is thus guarded from the intrusion of the
unprepared footstep by many tests. At the foot of the marble steps, we
are challenged for the watchword; and if we do not speak in harmony
with God's glory, our further passage is peremptorily stayed. The key,
engraven with the name of Jesus, will only obey the hand in which His
nature is throbbing. We must be in Him, if He is to plead in us. His
words must prune, direct, and control our aspirations; His service must
engage our energies. We must take part in the camp with His soldiers,
in the vineyard with His husbandmen, in the temple-building