n become a man of prayer, and pray the effectual prayer that
availeth much.[1]

[1] I ought to say, for the encouragement of all, that the gentleman of
whom I spoke, at a Convention a fortnight later, saw and claimed the
rest of faith in trusting God for all, and a letter from England tells
that he has found that His grace is sufficient.

A PLEA FOR MORE PRAYER

CHAPTER VIII

Wilt Thou be made Whole?

"Jesus saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man
answered him, Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool. Jesus
saith unto him, Rise and walk. Immediately the man was made whole,
and walked."--JOHN v. 6-9.

"Peter said, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and
walk.... The faith which is by Him hath given this man this perfect
soundness in the presence of you all."--ACTS iii. 6, 16.

"Peter said, AEneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise. And he
arose immediately."--ACTS ix. 34.

Feebleness in prayer is the mark of disease. Impotence to walk is, in
the Christian, as in the natural life, a terrible proof of some evil in
the system that needs a physician. The lack of power to walk joyfully in
the new and living way that leads to the Father and the throne of grace
is specially grievous. Christ is the great Physician, who comes to
every Bethesda where impotent folk are gathered, and speaks out his
loving, searching question, Wilt thou be made whole? For all who are
still clinging to their hope in the pool, or are looking for some man to
put them in, who are hoping, in course of time, somehow to be helped by
just continuing in the use of the ordinary means of grace, His question
points to a better way. He offers them healing in a way of power they
have never understood. And to all who are willing to confess, not only
their own impotence, but their failure to find any man to help them, His
question brings the sure and certain hope of a near deliverance. We have
seen that our weakness in prayer is part of a life smitten with
spiritual impotence. Let us listen to our Lord as He offers to restore
our spiritual strength, to fit us for walking like healthy, strong men
in all the ways of the Lord, and so be fit rightly to fill our place in
the great work of intercession. As we see what the wholeness is He
offers, how He gives it, and what He asks of us, we shall be prepared
for giving a willing answer to His question.

WHAT THE HEALTH THAT JESUS