I have in my possession a most interesting set of papers written by
girls in their early twenties regarding their memories of their own
training in prayer and the result of it in their lives. I quote first
from the papers of girls brought up in Christian homes.
"I can remember now the very wording of some of my father's prayers and
those words found their way into my own--some of them are still there.
Often when a child, I prayed impulsively, using unconventional terms and
saying 'you' instead of 'thou.' Before I was twelve mother often
reminded me of my prayers when she said good night. As I grew older
nothing was said to me about it. I was hot-tempered and continually
'getting mad' at other girls and teachers and almost every one. No one
will ever know the remorse I suffered after one of those outbursts. At
night I would pour out my soul in a plea for forgiveness. I was sure God
forgave me and started next day with determination to conquer. I often
prayed about examinations which were very hard for me. Once or twice I
prayed that mother would see that I needed a different kind of dress
from the one she planned. I am sure that I felt God was a sympathetic
friend and prayer to me was natural."
Here was a girl who because of the cultivation in the home turned
simply and naturally to God to supply her need.
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