H, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
“And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.” 1 Kings 17:21
If I would be used in quickening the dead, what prerequisites must I possess?
Life is one. I must stretch myself, so to speak, on the soul, I would see a newborn. I must breathe my breath into it, or, let me rather say, God’s breath in me. The dying will never bless the dying. If I were a good physician, the life of Heaven must be pulsing and moving through my veins.
Love is another. I must take the dead child into my arms and carry him into my chamber. Around him, the embrace of my compassion and affection must be thrown. There is a cold statuesque and patronizing way of dealing with sinful hearts which never can benefit them. May God keep me far from it.
Prayer is needed too — the energized prayer of a righteous man which is of great force. I must besiege Heaven with my cries. I must call in the omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit. I must believe and be sure that there is no problem too difficult for my Lord. I must seek and expect His intervention.
And perseverance is essential. The answer I crave may be delayed. For a while, there is no change in the soul so dear to me. For a while, I spend my strength for nought. Then I must return again and again and again to the throne of the King. I must refuse to accept a denial. I must enmesh God, as it were, in His promises. I must have power and prevail.
That is how the dead are raised to the newness of life. The miracle is not obsolete to a heart of this calibre.
THE MYSTICAL COURT 