The man was irritated by the disciple’s explanation, and said; “What!  One time He says, Pray shortly, using few words; and at another time, You must not leave off praying until you are heard.”

But James replied:  “Friend, you misunderstand me again.  Did He say, You shall pray little?  No; He said, You shall pray in few words; but without ceasing, and with your whole heart, and with faith that the Father will at length hear you.  And the longer He keeps you waiting for His help, the greater must be your faith that He knows why He keeps you waiting, and at last He will give you more than you asked for.  If that man gave the bread in order to be rid of the annoyance, how much more will the Father give the child whom He loves?”

To which the man replied:  “Well, I did pray thus, I kept on and I believed, and yet I was not heard.”

“What did you pray for?”

“For this,” said the rustic.  “I have a neighbour who steals the figs from my tree, and I can’t catch him at it.  So I prayed that he might fall from the tree and break his legs.  But I was not heard.”

James was obliged to laugh aloud over the foolish fellow who prayed to the merciful Father for vengeance.

“Pray for strength to pardon your neighbour and give him the figs which he seems to need more than you, and you will certainly be heard.”

“And,” continued the disciple, “if it is a question of praying without ceasing, that does not mean you are always to be folding your hands and uttering pious words; it is rather to direct one’s thoughts continually with longing to the dwelling of God and things eternal, and to measure everything in life, small things as well as great, by that standard, in reverence and faith.”

A noisy fellow asked:  “How can I measure the corn I have to sell by that standard?”

“If you refrain from taking advantage of the buyer with mixed, damp grain, but give him good stuff, then you are doing God’s will, and are not harming your immortal soul by deceit, then your corn and your method of acting are measured by the standard of God and Eternity.”

“But see,” exclaimed another, “my business friend gave me bad measure when he sold me oil, and gave me half water.  And it stands in the Scriptures:  As it is measured to you, so shall you measure it again.”

As they walked on Jesus shook His head.  To think that His simple teaching could meet with so much misunderstanding, especially among those wanting in will towards it, those who could think of nothing but their desires and bodily comforts!  “No,” He exclaimed sorrowfully, “they do not understand the word.  They must have an illustration that they can see and feel, an illustration they will never forget.”

CHAPTER XXVI