And if you think into it a bit, this fits in with the true conception of prayer. In its simplest analysis prayer--all prayer--has, must have, two parts. First, a God to give. "Yes," you say, "certainly, a God wealthy, willing, all of that." And, just as certainly, there must be a second factor, _a man to receive_. Man's willingness is God's channel to the earth. God never crowds nor coerces. Everything God does for man and through man He does with man's consent, always. With due reverence, but very plainly, let it be said that God can do nothing for the man with shut hand and shut life. There must be an open hand and heart and life _through_ which God can give what He longs to. An open life, an open hand, open upward, is the pipe line of communication between the heart of God and this poor befooled old world. Our prayer is God's opportunity to get into the world that would shut Him out.
Prayer opens a whole planet to a man's activities. I can as really be touching hearts for God in far away India or China through prayer, as though I were there. Not in as many ways as though there, but as truly. Understand me, I think the highest possible _privilege_ of service is in those far off lands. There the need is greatest, the darkness densest, and the pleading call most eloquently pathetic. And if one _may_ go there--happy man!--if one be _privileged_ to go to the honoured place of service he may then use all five outlets direct in the spot where he is.
Yet this is only one spot. But his relationship is as wide as his Master's and his sympathies should be. A man may be in Africa, but if his heart be in touch with Jesus it will be burning for _a world_. Prayer puts us into direct dynamic touch with a world.
A man may go aside to-day, and shut his door, and as really spend a half-hour in India--I am thinking of my words as I say them, it seems so much to say, and yet it is true--as really spend a half hour of his life in India for God as though he were there in person. _Is_ that true? If it be true, surely you and I must get more half-hours for this secret service. Without any doubt he may turn his key and be for a bit of time as potentially in China by the power of prayer, as though there in actual bodily form. I say _potentially_ present. Of course not consciously present. But in the _power exerted upon men_ he may be truly present at the objective point of his prayer. He may give a new meaning to the printed page being read by some native down in Africa. He may give a new tongue of flame to the preacher or teacher. He may make it easier for men to accept the story of Jesus, and then to yield themselves to Jesus--yonder men swept and swayed by evil spirits, and by prejudices for generations--make it easier for them to accept the story, and, if need be, to cut with loved ones, and step out and up into a new life.