Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." A missionary some years ago, returning from Southern Africa, gave a description of the work which had been accomplished there through the preaching of the gospel. Among other things, he pictured a little incident of which he had been an eye-witness. He said that one morning he saw a converted African chieftain sitting under a palm tree with his Bible open before him. Every now and then he cast his eyes on his book and read a passage, and then he paused and looked up a little while, and his lips were seen to be in motion. Thus he continued alternately to look down on the Scriptures, and then to turn his eyes upward towards Heaven. The missionary passed by without disturbing the chieftain; but a little while afterwards he mentioned to him what he had seen, and asked him why it was that sometimes he read, and sometimes he looked up? The chieftain replied, "I look down to the Book, and God speaks to me; and then I look up in prayer, and I speak to the Lord--and in this way we keep up a holy talk with each other." I would set this picture before you, as being the best pattern of fellowship with God--the heart hearkening to the voice of God, and then replying in prayer and praise. "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need!" Hebrews 4:16