The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 315

" There if thy Spirit touch the 10ul And grace her mean e.bode, Oh, with whe.t pee.ea and joy and love She communes with her God I" B. Ver. 11.-2:716 sig11t that Jesus notes, These words, spoken by Jesus himself from heaven to one disciple of hie and about another, the very youngest of all, single out a fact, and point to it as a eight worthy to be observed. The fact is in itself a very simple one, in the judgment of many a very ordinary one, in the unheeding judgment of most men an exceedingly uninteresting and unimportant one. Nor would it be easy to find a more clearly outlined illustration of the different estimate of earth and heaven, of Jesus and of erring man, than that found here. Jesus points to the sight of a man on his knees as one worthy to be beheld-to the fact of a man praying as one to engage attention, deep regard, and practically altered conduct on the part of his fellow-men. This is the simplest statement of the history that is before us. And it may be objected that, thou:i;h it be a true statement so far, it is true only in this instance, or, if not only, yet that it is to such a degree exceptionally true here, that it may not be drawn into a precedent. But the burden of proof of such a position will fall upon those who shall hesitate to admit that one and the same essential element of noteworthiness attac,hes to the same situation, the same spectacle, wherever it presents itself. This, then, which was a spectacle to the Lord Jesus, and of which he speaks to his disciples in that very light, may well interest the gaze and devout thought of all generations-" Behold, he prayeth I" I. Let us consider, first, what different descriptions may be given in answer to t~e question," WHAT IB IT TO PRAY?" since Jesus givos such prominence to the act. 1. It 1s the first sign of some great change. It betrays something novel that has been at work, unseen but not unfelt. It portends much to come. 2. It is itself the first movement of spiritual life, the new-born infant's trial of the spiritual lungs, and first lifting of them up and first breathing of spiritual air, the first voice of the " b~be in Christ.". 3. Its form may be a single word, a simplest sentence ; one gentlest sigh may bear 1t up all the way to heaven, one passionate cry may speed it up; one upw~rd glance _of the eye may reveal it to that benignant eye which is ever bended down lil compassion on us; one big sclitary tear that drops into the earth and can no more be gathered up, will be "counted" for it by him who doth "count 11ll our tears." 4_. 'l'he ti111~ it takes may be a moment, the twinkling of an eye, or it may be the ex.erc1se of agoll.l.Zed hours..  THE ACTS OF TllE APOSTLES. [cm. n:. 1~0.