back laden with the blessings of which we stand in need! There is a third kind of prayer, which is called ejaculatory; in which the supplicant sends up fervent petitions to God. Thus David, when Absalom conspired against his throne, and was joined in the revolt by the king's privy counsellor, prayed, "Oh Lord, I beseech thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!" The success which attended this short petition is a direct encouragement of the practice of lifting up the heart to heaven in pious ejaculations. It is of great consequence to understand for what we ought to pray; for, if we err upon this point, we shall be in danger of mistaking the obvious design of prayer, which, when rightly conducted, is fraught with so much profit to our souls. 1., We are not allowed either to covet, or to pray for, an abundance of temporal good things; but we are directed to be satisfied with that measure of them which God sees fit to vouchsafe, as sufficient for the supply of our necessities. We are not to hanker after riches, or any thing which Providence, for wise reasons, denies us. Many would certainly be ruined, if they were to obtain the things which they ask for. We know not how or what to pray for, until we are enlightened by the Holy Ghost to discover our real wants, and the source from whence they are to be supplied. A conviction of our ignorance in this respect, should teach us to say, as the Disciples of Jesus did, "Lord, teach us how to pray!" ff Christ, in the excellent and comprehensive Form of Prayer which he has taught us, directs us, after praying 12 Sam. xv. 31. ff Rom. viii. 26. * Luke xi. 1. for our daily bread, principally to supplicate spiritual blessings. Out of seven petitions of which it consists, there is but one for worldly things; and the rest are for heavenly benefits, adapted to promote the glory of God, and the happiness of our souls. 66 2. Pardon of our numerous sins, whether of omission or commission, of presumption or ignorance, of knowledge or deliberation; the aid of the Spirit to regenerate and dedicate our souls to the service of God; continual strength from heaven, that we may not be overcome by temptation, nor draw back to perdition";" grace that we may "give all diligence to make our calling and election sure';" these are the leading mercies we should solicit fromGod; the possession of which will make us wiser,, holier, and happier, than the most splendid good which the world can confer. Heavenly gifts and graces, then, should occupy the chief place in our petitions; because the happiness of our souls is of infinitely more consequence, than any short-lived advantages we are able to procure for our bodies. Now God declares his readiness to grant these. blessings to those who seek them in a proper manner. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.' Let us inquire how we frame our petitions. Is, it for riches we pray, that by their assistance we may. be enabled to gratify our love of the world, its pleasures and enjoyments, even as others? Do you entreat of God that you may be great, rather than good? Do you wish to figure in the world, rather h Heb. x. 39. " i Psalm ii. 1-11. James i. 5-9. than submit to the state and condition in which he has fixed you? Then, St. James reproves your ambitious secular spirit, by affirming, " that you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts';" and, of course, such prayers are prayers are offensive to God, who knoweth our hearts. Which interest, then, ought we to be most anxious about, that which will expire at death, or that which is to last for ever? Our reason and selflove should incline us to forego any temporal object, in order that we may advance the everlasting welfare of our souls. 3. If it be asked-For whom should we pray; the answer is obvious; for all ranks and conditions of men, from the peasant to the stately monarch: for as all are partakers of the same nature with ourselves, and are alike sinners with us, subject to similar temptations, wants, and sorrows, and are candidates for the same heaven or hell,—it is agreeable to the law of universal charity, that we should seek the happiness of all our species, by imploring for them the beatitude of the heavenly world. exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks, be made for all men-for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty "." " I 4. Nor is it less necessary that we should present our petitions to the Throne of Grace in a becoming temper of mind. of mind. When we approach that glorious Being "before whom the heavens and the earth flee away," we should come into his sight with a deep sense of his holiness and our own sinfulness; with a just view of his greatness, and our own insignifiJames iv. 3. 1 Tim. ii, 1—4. * Rev.xx. 11. cancy and worthlessness: and a consideration of the infinite distance which there is betwixt us, should produce a feeling of humility for our sins, and godly awe and veneration for his Divine Majesty. In our addresses to God, whilst we carefully avoid all unbecoming freedom, we should use the utmost respect, both in our posture and words. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the House of God; and be more ready to hear, than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they consider not that they do evil"." 66 5. With regard to the manner of offering up our prayers, they should be presented in sincerity. The language of our mouths must accord with the feelings of our hearts: for the Lord is a God of judgment, and nothing feigned or insincere can pass as true with hiin. His eye can penetrate the thickest vail of hypocrisy, and detect every sinister thought and purpose of the wicked". Let us not entertain iniquity in our hearts, lest God should shut his ears against our prayers. But if we call upon him faithfully, he will listen to our cry, and "give us his blessing, and life for evermore." 6. Prayer must be fervent, in order to be of any avail with God. So long as we are insensible of our wants, and indifferent about spiritual things, our petitions for mercy will be cold and heartless. But the moment we perceive our danger, the discovery will give an earnestness to our supplications for pardon and salvation, which will shew the estimation in which they are held. Let a man be fully sensible of his lost situation, and he will importunately cry, "Lord, save, or I perish'!" • Eccles. v. 1. P Heb. iv. 13. Matt. viii. 25. 66 Now, God loves to be thus entreated by us: nor have we reason to fear lest we should exhaust his patience; for he is God, and not man.” "Let us, therefore, come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." The saints of old times prevailed with God by such holy importunity. And the Scripture encourages the trial of it, by assuring us that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much"." 7. We must pray in faith, without which it is impossible to please God; "for he that cometh to him, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Unbelief, or distrust of God's ability and willingness to hear us, must, in the nature of things, spoil our prayers, and provoke his wrathful displeasure against us. How can we expect in such a state of mind to receive any thing from the Lord? Will he pour out his Holy Spirit on them that so signally dishonour him? Can he regard the faithless and unbelieving? Honour the faithfulness of God, by confiding in his promise to hear the petitions of them that ask in his Son's name. Every assurance of grace and salvation is given to the sincere petitioner. "Whosoever shall call upon the Lord faithfully shall be saved"." of 8. As to the season of prayer ;-it seems to have been a custom amongst good men in former ages the Church, to offer up praises and thanksgivings to God at least three times a-day, but as much oftener as occasion required". “At evening, in the morning, and at noon, will I pray." Thus Daniel |