Concerning those things that only God can do we naturally betake ourselves to prayer. For, knowing that we, ourselves, can not do them, we find our hope only in that asking which brings God's doing. But let us remember, too, that our own personal service, in the things which we can do, needs also that asking which will bring God's doing into it. Do we realize that everything we do needs to be saturated with the spirit of prayer that God may be the real doer, the real worker in the things which we are busily doing? Yet this is a mighty truth: "If ye ask, I will do" applies to your own service as well as your intercession for others.

Have you ever toyed with the key of a telegraph instrument while the circuit was closed? If so you have noted this fact: On that key you may write a complete message, from address to signature. Upon it every telegraph character may be perfectly formed; every condition of expert operating may be fulfilled. but it matters not how skilful an operator you are, so long as the electric circuit is closed, all your effort are simply sounding brass and clattering platinum. Not a single spark of electric life do you transmit; not a single message of good or ill, of bane or blessing, is conveyed to the waiting listener at the other end of the line. Why? Because the battery is not working. And all your working is effort without result, activity or power.

But now you open the little brass lever which connects your key to the battery hidden beneath the table. Immediately every letter you form fills with life, every word you write flashes a living message into the mind and heart of the far-away receiver. Through your work, dead and mechanical in itself, the electric battery is now pouring forth its vital stream, flooding with life and power every deft motion of your flying fingers.

The lesson is plain. It is in spiritual telegraphy as in material. If the battery is not working the message is mere clatter. WE may do, but if GOD is not doing through us, then all our doing is naught. If we work in our own fleshly strength we will but effect fleshly results only, for "Whatsoever is born of the flesh is flesh." God alone is spiritual life. God is the only begetter of life...

From the chamber of prayer you come forth to men with the unction, the subtle power, the thrill of God's own life upon you, and as you touch them is speech, deed or prayer, "virtue goes forth from you," for then it is not you, but God that worketh in you. As you keep asking God keeps doing. When you grow prayerless, your deeds grow powerless. Lead no meeting without asking that God may be the real leader through you; speak no message without asking that He may speak through you; begin no work with out asking that God may work through you. For, "If ye ask, I will do."