ngs are
included in the "anything."

I have been greatly impressed with Paul as a pattern in prayer, and for
the outline of this message as well as for many of the suggestions I am
indebted to an English clergyman, the Rev. E. W. Moore, who has
written, "The Christ Controlled Life," and "Christ in Possession," and
has recently sent out a little book entitled, "The Pattern Prayer Book."

I have noticed in studying Paul that the burden of his prayer was for
spiritual blessing rather than for temporal power, and throughout the
Epistles at least seven illustrations are to be found concerning this
subject.

I

_Prayer for Pentecost_. Ephesians 3:17-19, "That Christ may dwell in
your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may
be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length,
and depth and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

Just what is the burden of this prayer of Paul's?

First: He is not asking for that indwelling which is ours at
conversion; for this he would not need to pray, for at the moment of
regeneration Christ is ours and eternal life (which is only another way
of saying, "the life of the eternal") is our never failing possession.

Second: He is not asking for the bodily presence of Christ, as some
have suggested, for in this scripture he states that it is by faith
that Christ is to dwell with us.

Third: It is by no means a figurative expression, for if this were true
there would be no comfort in it to God's children. Yet, as a matter of
fact, this prayer of Paul's has been an inspiration to God's people
everywhere. It is rather a special Pentecostal privilege for God's
children concerning which Paul is praying. In Galatians 4:19 we read,
"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be
formed in you."

And this is his petition. Let it be noticed that the tense of the verb
in this connection denotes singleness of action, so that Paul's prayer
may be answered not gradually but immediately. If this be true then
let it be answered now for you and for me.

There are three blessings which would flow out of this answer to prayer.

First: _Constancy of experience_. "That Christ may dwell," pleads the
Apostle. It does not mean that he is to come in a fitful experience,
but the language of the hymn is true,

"Abide with me; fast falls the even tide,