Fredrick W. Faber wrote a timeless hymn in the nineteenth century titled FAITH OF OUR FATHERS. To drive home our lesson for today, the first stanza of that hymn is provided here: “Faith of our fathers, living still/In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword/Oh, how our hearts beat for joy/Whene’er we hear that glorious word!” We noted yesterday that Paul gave thanks though he was in jail. Today we see that he did not only give thanks he equally prayed, and that without ceasing. Of additional interest is His focus in prayer, seeking for the welfare of the church he founded. Most people in his condition would not pray at all; they would probably be bitter against God and man. The few who would pray will be too preoccupied with their own deliverance from the gulag to think of what was happening to other people.
The only thing that can return Christianity to its glory is the faith of the fathers. It defies all odds and overcomes every assault of hell.
Here we see Paul exemplify the Master who even on the cross was praying for the salvation of mankind. This is why we recalled the hymn of Fredrick Faber. The fathers of faith still maintained a steady walk with God in spite of jail, fire, and sword. They kept the spiritual discipline of prayer and other duties even at the risk of their lives. That is why their brand of faith could overcome the most heinous program that hell could invent. The only thing that can return Christianity to its glory is the faith of the fathers. It defies all odds and overcomes every assault of hell.