John G. Paton (1824-1907), born and raised in Scotland, endured incredible hardships while establishing what eventually became a fruitful ministry in the New Hebrides. A man of unwavering faith and prevailing prayer, Paton often gave thanks to God for the impact made on his life by his saintly father.
What indelibly impressed Paton as a boy was hearing his father pray behind the closed door of his bedroom. Here is Paton's tribute to him:
"Though everything else in religion were by some unthinkable catastrophe to be swept out of memory or blotted from my understanding, my soul would wander back to those early scenes and shut itself up once again in that sanctuary closet. And hearing still the echoes of those cries to God would hurl back all doubt with the appeal, 'He walked with God, why may not I?'" Following his father's example, Paton did just that--he walked with God.
Genesis 5 tells us that Enoch walked with God (vv.22,24). So can we. As redeemed people, we can know the blessing of our Lord's companionship. But to do that, we must, like John Paton and his godly father, make it our daily practice to seek God in prayer.
Is prayer a priority in your life? — Vernon C. Grounds
He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known. --Miles
To walk with God, we must talk with God.