Signs of the Times

with contributions from John Park Winkler, Chester B. Emerson

John Park Winkler in Front Rank St.Louis, Missouri

The frequent reference to the prayers of Jesus in the Gospels indicates that they were a natural and vital part of his life. . . . His prayers were related to daily experience and needs. His prayers grew out of an awareness of the presence and power of God and his own need for God's help in meeting life's experiences. . . .

Our prayers will have their greatest meaning and value if they can come as a natural response to God. When we believe that God can help us meet the tasks and problems of daily living, we will pray. If we recognize that He is the source of our blessings, we will thank Him.

. . . We should exercise caution lest our practice of daily devotions and prayer become a routine without a real awareness of God. . . . If we follow the example of Jesus, we will make prayer the means of gaining strength and guidance in service. . . . He went aside to pray with his disciples at the mount of transfiguration, but he refused to stay on the mountain apart from those he came to serve. . . . We have in Jesus a perfect example of what prayer can do to make life an effective instrument for God. Through prayer we can open our lives and let God work through us.

Rev. Chester B. Emerson Dean Emeritus of Trinity Cathedral Episcopal, in a sermon as reported in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio

The certainties of the world, the things that men cling to, are not the things "for which we strive so much. . . . Health, wealth, and popularity—all are pleasant but undependable," Dean Emerson explained.

The first of the certainties, he said, was the certain belief that the world is dependable because it is created, sustained, and governed by a dependable God. "We could not order our lives any other way," the dean said.

"Every man knows that he is a responsible human being. . . . There is something within him that is steadfast by which he judges his conduct. That is the holy spirit of God speaking through what we call our consciences."

The spiritual accomplishments of mankind, he said in that connection, are quite as great as his physical accomplishments, "if we but look at them." . . .

The third certainty was that humanity is working toward a cooperating society "in spite of all we see at present and all we hear of the propaganda of hate and selfishness. The world is moving on to the city of God because God wills it."

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July 14, 1956

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