During the American Civil War, a certain man had a son who enlisted in the Union army. The father was a banker, and although he gave his consent to his son, it seemed as if it would break his heart to let him go.

Once his son had left, he became deeply interested in the plight of soldiers, and whenever he saw one in uniform, his heart went out to him as he thought of his own dear boy. Often to the neglect of his business, he began spending his time and money to care for the soldiers who came home disabled. His friends pleaded with him not to neglect his business in this way, by spending so much time and energy on the soldiers. So he decided to give it all up, taking his friends’ advice.

After he had made this decision, however, a young private in a faded, worn uniform stepped into the bank. It was easy to discern from the wounds on his face and hands that he had been in the army field hospital. The poor young man was fumbling in his pocket to find something, when the banker saw him. Perceiving his purpose for coming into the bank, he said to the soldier, “My dear man, I cannot help you today. I am extremely busy. You will have to go to the army headquarters, where the officers will take care of you.”

The poor wounded soldier still stood there, not seeming to fully understand what was being said to him. He continued to fumble in his pockets and finally pulled out a scrap of dirty paper. He laid the filthy page before the banker, who read the following words written in pencil: Dear Father, This is one of my friends, who was wounded in the last battle and is coming to you directly from the hospital. Please receive him as you would me. Charlie

All the banker’s previous resolve to focus solely on his business instead of soldiers quickly flew away. He took the young man to his own magnificent home and gave him Charlie’s room and seat at the dinner table. He cared for him until the food, rest, and love had returned him to health, and then sent him back to his place of service to again risk his life for his country’s flag. SELECTED

“Now you will see what I will do” (Exodus 6:1).

Alexander the Great had a famous, but indigent, philosopher in his court.

This man adept in science was once particularly straightened in his circumstances.

To whom should he apply but to his patron, the conqueror of the world?

His request was no sooner made than granted.

Alexander gave him a commission to receive of his treasury whatever he wanted.

He immediately demanded in his sovereign’s name ten thousand pounds.

The treasurer, surprised at so large a demand, refused to comply, but waited upon the king and represented to him the affair, adding withal how unreasonable he thought the petition and how exorbitant the sum.

Alexander listened with patience, but as soon as he heard the remonstrance replied, “Let the money be instantly paid.

I am delighted with this philosopher’s way of thinking; he has done me a singular honor: by the largeness of his request he shows the high idea he has conceived both of my superior wealth and my royal munificence.”

Saints have never yet reached the limit to the possibilities of prayer.

Whatever has been attained or achieved has touched but the fringe of the garment of a prayer-hearing God.

We honor the riches both of His power and love only by large demands. A. T. PIERSON

You cannot think of a prayer so large that God, in answering it, will not wish that you had made it larger.

Pray not for crutches, but for wings! PHILLIPS BROOKS

Make thy petition deep.

It is thy God who speaks with love overflowing,

Thy God who claims the rapture of bestowing,

Thy God who whispers, all thy weakness knowing,

“Wouldst thou in full reap?

Make thy petition deep.”

Make thy petition deep.

Now to the fountainhead thy vessel bringing,

Claim all the fullness of its glad upspringing;

At Calvary was proclaimed its boundless measure;

Who spared not then, withholds from thee no treasure;

This word—His token, keep:

Make thy petition deep.

If Alexander gave like a King, shall not Jehovah give like a God?

There is a joy that is attained and another joy that is given. The first joy needs things to make it joy—congenial circumstances, attentive friends; the second joy joys because it is filled with a bubbling spring of internal and eternal gladness—a gladness because it is always in God, and God is always in it. It glows and grows under all circumstances—it sings because it is a song.

It sings after prayer . “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24). This implies that there must have been a need, a place to fill. As we believe and receive, the song sings!

It sings after faith. “Even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). Nothing seen and nothing sensed, at least not by natural sense—yet the song sang and with a fullness of glory not before known.

It sings after yielding. “Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD” (Isaiah 29:19). Making room for the Lord is a secret of receiv ing more of Himself.

It sings after sorrow. “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing [singing] comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). He who is Light, who gives the morning signal to every feathered songster to tune his song, will also give you a song that sings.

It sings after sacrifice. “Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy” (Acts 20:24 KJV).

Did you ever find the song that sang of itself in the quiet of your closet, when you heard His “Yes” to your prayer for His glory to come on earth? When nothing was seen of His working for you and your loved ones, did you hear the sweet strains of the song that sang?

The world awaits you—the singer with the new song!

Verily, verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.—Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.

This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us; and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.—This is the will of God, even your sanctification.

God hath . . . called us . . . unto holiness: . . . who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The only wise God.

Be not wise in thine own eyes.

Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

If ye . . . being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Ye have not, because ye ask not.

When . . . the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

They rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and He fought against them.

Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father.—My Father, and your Father.

Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.—Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Ye have not, because ye ask not.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.—This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.—If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.—Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.—Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.—Ye shall ask in my name; and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.