None can ever understand the full power of prayer until they have learned the lesson of trust. It is only when for the _first time_ in the Christian's own life of faith, it realizes the hand of God in his personal dealings with him, how near He is, or how clearly he feels the presence of that tremendous overruling Spirit which "_Turneth the heart whithersoever He will_." The actual existence of our God is therefore proved, not alone from _History_, nor from the Bible alone, nor from current natural or religious feeling and beliefs, nor from the testimony of old witnesses several thousand years old, _but from the actual incidents of present prayer_, and the _literal answer_. Daily faith and trust and prayer have made the Christian deeply acquainted with Him and his ways, and humbly dependent upon his care and love and help, in the events of life. _No one ever faithfully trusted the Lord in vain_. Circumstances so clouded that it has been impossible for men to control, have, through believing prayer, been so made to change, that through them has been revealed _living evidences_ of the presence of _The Ever Living God_. * * * * * DISCERNING PRAYER. INTRODUCTORY. BY D.W. WHITTLE. To recognize God's existence is to necessitate prayer to Him, by all intelligent creatures, or, a consciously living in sin and under condemnation of conscience, because they do not pray to Him. It would be horrible to admit the existence of a Supreme Being, with power and wisdom to create, and believe that the creatures he thought of consequence and importance enough to bring into existence, are not of enough consequence for him to pay any attention to in the troubles and trials consequent upon that existence. Surely such a statement is an impeachment of both the wisdom and goodness of God. It were far more sensible for those who deny the fitness and necessity of prayer to take the ground of the atheist and say plainly "We do not pray, for there is no God to pray to," for to deny prayer, is practical atheism.