Copyright©MonergismBooks

ACalltoPrayer

byJ.C.Ryle

TableofContents

Introduction

1.PrayerIsNeedfultoSalvation

2.TheHabitofPrayer:MarkofaTrueChristian

3.Prayer:TheMostNeglectedDuty

4.PrayerProducesGreatEncouragement

5.DiligenceinPrayer,theSecretofHoliness

6.PrayerandBacksliding

7.PrayerandContentment

8.AdvicetotheUnregenerate

9.CounseltotheSaints

Introduction

"Menoughtalwaystopray."Luke18:1

Ihaveaquestiontoofferyou.It iscontained inthreewords,DOYOUPRAY?

Thequestion isone thatnonebutyoucananswer.Whetheryouattendpublic worship or not, your minister knows.Whether you have familyprayersinyourhouseornot,yourrelationsknow.Butwhetheryouprayinprivateornot,isamatterbetweenyourselfandGod.

IbeseechyouinallaffectionstoattendtothesubjectIbringbeforeyou.Donotsaythatmyquestionistooclose.Ifyourheartisrightinthesightof God, there is nothing in it to make you afraid. Do not turn off myquestionbyreplyingthatyousayyourprayers.Itisonethingtosayyourprayers and another to pray. Do not tell me that my question isunnecessary.Listen tome for a fewminutes, and Iwill showyou goodreasonsforaskingit.

Prayer is the most important subject in practical religion. All othersubjects are second to it. Reading the Bible, listening to sermons,attending public worship, going to the Lord's Table—all these are veryimportantmatters.Butnoneofthemaresoimportantasprivateprayer.

IproposeinthispapertooffersevenclearreasonswhyIusesuchstronglanguage about prayer. I draw to these reasons the attention of everythinkingman intowhosehands this papermay fall. I venture to assertwithconfidencethattheydeserveseriousconsideration.

I.PrayerIsNeedfultoSalvation

I. IASKWHETHERYOUPRAY,BECAUSEPRAYER ISABSOLUTELYNEEDFULTOAPERSON'SSALVATION.

Isay,absolutelyneedful,andIsaysoadvisedly.Iamnotspeakingnowofinfantsoridiots.Iamnotsettlingthestateoftheheathen.Iknowwherelittleisgiven,therelittlewillberequired.Ispeakespeciallyofthosewhocall themselvesChristians, ina landlikeourown.AndofsuchIsay,nomanorwomancanexpecttobesavedwhodoesnotpray.

Iholdtosalvationbygraceasstronglyasanyone.Iwouldgladlyofferafree and full pardon to the greatest sinner that ever lived. I would nothesitate to standbyhis dyingbed, and say, "Believe on theLord JesusChristevennow,andyoushallbesaved."(Acts16:31.)Butthatapersoncanhavesalvationwithoutaskingforit,IcannotseeintheBible.Thatapersonwillreceivepardonof theirsins,whowillnotsomuchas liftuptheirheart inwardly, and say, "LordJesus, give it tome," this I cannotfind. Ican findthatnobodywillbesavedby theirprayers,butIcannotfindthatwithoutprayeranybodywillbesaved.

It is not absolutely needful to salvation that a person should read theBible.Apersonmayhavenolearning,orbeblind,andyethaveChristintheirheart.It isnotabsolutelyneedfulthatapersonshouldhearpublicpreachingofthegospel.Theymaylivewherethegospelisnotpreached,or theymay be bedridden, or deaf. But the same thing cannot be saidabout prayer. It is absolutely needful to salvation that a person shouldpray.

There isnoroyalroadeither tohealthor learning.Primeministersandkings,poormenandpeasants,allalikemustattendtotheneedsoftheirownbodiesandtheirownminds.Nopersoncaneat,drink,orsleep,byproxy.Nopersoncanget thealphabet learned for thembyanother.Allthesearethingswhicheverybodymustdoforthemselves,ortheywillnotbedoneatall.

Just as it is with themind and body, so it is with the soul. There arecertainthingsabsolutelyneedfultothesoul'shealthandwell-being.Eachmust attend to these things for himself. Eachmust repent for himself.EachmustapplytoChristforhimself.AndforhimselfeachmustspeaktoGodandpray.Youmustdo it foryourself, forbynobodyelse it canbedone.

To be prayerless is to be without God, without Christ, without grace,withouthope,andwithoutheaven.Itistobeintheroadtohell.NowcanyouwonderthatIaskthequestion,DOYOUPRAY?

II. The Habit of Prayer: Mark of a TrueChristian

II. ASK AGAIN WHETHER YOU PRAY, BECAUSE A HABIT OFPRAYERISONEOFTHESURESTMARKSOFATRUECHRISTIAN.

All the children of God on earth are alike in this respect. From themomentthereisanylifeandrealityabouttheirreligion,theypray.Justasthefirstsignofthelifeofaninfantwhenbornintotheworldistheactofbreathing,sothefirstactofmenandwomenwhentheyarebornagainispraying.

ThisisoneofthecommonmarksofalltheelectofGod,"Theycryuntohimdayandnight." (Luke 18:7.)TheHolySpiritwhomakes themnewcreatures,worksinthemafeelingofadoption,andmakesthecry,"Abba,Father." (Romans8:15.)TheLordJesus,whenHequickensthem,givesthemavoiceanda tongue,andsays to them,"Bedumbnomore."Godhasnodumbchildren.Itisasmuchapartoftheirnewnaturetopray,asit isofachild tocry.Theysee theirneedofmercyandgrace.They feeltheiremptinessandweakness.Theycannotdootherwise thantheydo.Theymustpray.

IhavelookedcarefullyoverthelivesofGod'ssaintsintheBible.Icannotfindonewhosehistorymuchistoldus,fromGenesistoRevelation,whowasnotapersonofprayer.Ifinditmentionedasacharacteristicofthegodly,that"theycallontheFather,"that"theycalluponthenameoftheLord Jesus Christ." I find it recorded as a characteristic of thewicked,that"theycallnotupontheLord."(1Peter1:17;1Corinthians1:2;Psalm14:4.)

IhavereadthelivesofmanyeminentChristianswhohavebeenonearthsincetheBibledays.Someofthem,Isee,wererich,andsomepoor.Somewere learned, and some were unlearned. Some of them wereEpiscopalians, and some were Christians of other names. Some wereCalvinists,andsomewereArminians.Somehavelovedtouseliturgy,andsome to use none. But one thing, I see, they all had in common. Theyhaveallbeenpeopleofprayer.

I study reports ofmissionary societies in our own times. I seewith joythatlostmenandwomenarereceivingthegospelinvariouspartsoftheglobe. There are conversions in Africa, in New Zealand, in India, inChina. The people converted are naturally unlike one another in everyrespect.ButonestrikingthingIobserveatallthemissionarystations:theconvertedpeoplealwayspray.

Idonotdenythatapersonmaypraywithoutheartandwithoutsincerity.I do not for amoment pretend to say that themere fact of a person’spraying proves everything about their soul. As in every other part ofreligion,soalsointhis,theremaybedeceptionandhypocrisy.

ButthisIdosay,thatnotprayingisaclearproofthatapersonisnotyetatrueChristian.Theycannotreally feel theirsins.Theycannot loveGod.They cannot feel themselves a debtor to Christ. They cannot long afterholiness. They cannot desire heaven. They have yet to be born again.Theyhaveyettobemadeanewcreature.Theymayboastconfidentlyofelection,grace,faith,hopeandknowledge,anddeceiveignorantpeople.Butyoumayrestassureditisallvaintalkiftheydonotpray.

And I say furthermore, that of all the evidences of the realworkof theSpirit,ahabitofheartyprivateprayerisoneofthemostsatisfactorythatcanbenamed.Apersonmaypreach from falsemotives.Apersonmaywrite books and,make fine speeches and seemdiligent in goodworks,andyetbeaJudasIscariot.ButapersonseldomgoesintotheirclosetandpoursouttheirsoulbeforeGodinsecret,unlesstheyareinearnest.TheLord Himself has set his stamp on prayer as the best proof of trueconversion.WhenHesentAnaniastoSaulinDamascus,Hegavehimnootherevidenceofhischangeofheartthanthis,"Beholdheprays."(Acts9:11.)

Iknowthatmuchmaygooninaperson’smindbeforetheyarebroughtto pray. They may have many convictions, desires, wishes, feelings,intentions, resolutions, hopes, and fears. But all these things are veryuncertainevidences.Theyare tobe found inungodlypeople,andoftencome to nothing. In many a case they are not more lasting than themorningcloud,anddewthatpassesaway.Arealheartyprayer, flowingfromabrokenandcontritespirit,isworthallthesethingsputtogether.

IknowthattheHolySpirit,whocallssinnersfromtheirevilways,doesinmany instances lead them by very slow degrees to acquaintance withChrist.Buttheeyeofmancanonly judgebywhat itsees.Icannotcallanyone justified until they believe. I dare not say that anyone believesuntil theypray. I cannotunderstandadumb faith.The firstactof faithwillbetospeaktoGod.Faithistothesoulwhatlifeistothebody.Prayeris to faith what breath is to the body. How a person can live and notbreatheispastmycomprehension,andhowapersoncanbelieveandnotprayispastmycomprehensiontoo.

Neverbesurprisedifyouhearministersofthegospeldwellingmuchonthe importance of prayer. This is the point they want to bring to you.Theywanttoknowthatyoupray.Yourviewsofdoctrinemaybecorrect.YourloveofProtestantismmaybewarmandunmistakable.Butstillthismaybenothingmorethanheadknowledgeandpartyspirit.Theywanttoknowwhetheryouareactuallyacquaintedwiththethroneofgrace,andwhetheryoucanspeaktoGodaswellasspeakaboutGod.

Do you wish to find out whether you are a true Christian? Then restassuredthatmyquestionisoftheveryfirstimportance—DOYOUPRAY?

III.Prayer:TheMostNeglectedDuty

III. IASKWHETHERYOUPRAY,BECAUSETHERE ISNODUTY INRELIGIONSONEGLECTEDASPRIVATEPRAYER.

Weliveindaysofaboundingreligiousprofession.Therearemoreplacesof public worship than there ever was before. There are more peopleattending them than there ever was before. And yet in spite of all thispublicreligion,Ibelievethereisavastneglectofprivateprayer.Itisoneof those private transactions betweenGod and our souls which no eyesees,andthereforeonewhichpeoplearetemptedtopassoverandleaveundone.

Ibelievethatthousandsneverutterawordofprayeratall.Theyeat.They

drink.Theysleep.Theyrise.Theygoforthtotheirwork.Theyreturntotheirhomes.TheybreatheGod'sair.TheyseeGod’ssun.TheytravelonGod's earth. They enjoy God's mercies. They have dying bodies. Theyhave judgment and eternity before them.But they never speak toGod.Theyliveliketheanimalsthatperish.Theybehavelikecreatureswithoutsouls.TheyhavenotonewordtosaytoHiminwhosehandaretheirlifeand breath, and all things, and from whosemouth theymust one dayreceive their everlasting sentence. How dreadful this seems; but if thesecretsofmenwereonlyknown,howcommon.

Ibelievetherearetensofthousandswhoseprayersarenothingbutmereform, a set of words repeated by rote, without a thought about theremeaning.Somesayovera fewhastysentencespickedupinthenurserywhen they were children. Some content themselves with repeating theCreed, forgetting that there is not a request in it. Some add the Lord'sPrayer,butwithouttheslightestdesirethat itssolemnpetitionsmaybegranted.

Many, even thosewho use good forms,mutter their prayers over aftertheyhave gotten into bed, orwhile theywashor dress in themorning.Peoplemaythinkwhattheyplease,buttheymaydependuponitthatinthe sight of God this is not praying. Words said without heart are asutterly useless to our souls as thedrumbeating of savages before theiridols.Where there isnoheart, theremaybe lip-workandtongue-work,butthereisnothingthatGodlistensto;thereisnoprayer.Saul,Ihavenodoubt, saidmanya longprayerbefore theLordmethimon theway toDamascus.But itwasnotuntilhisheartwasbrokenthattheLordsaid,"Heprays."

Doesthissurpriseyou?Listentome,andIwillshowyouthatIamnotspeaking as I do without reason. Do you think that my assertions areextravagantandunwarrantable?Givemeyourattention,andIwillsoonshowyouthatIamonlytellingyouthetruth.

Haveyouforgottenthat it isnotnaturaltoanyonetopray?"Thecarnalmind is enmity against God." (Romans 8:7.) The desire of a person'sheartistogetfarawayfromGod,andhavenothingtodowithHim.TheirfeelingtowardsHimisnotlove,butfear.Whythenshouldapersonpray

whentheyhavenorealsenseofsin,norealfeelingofspiritualneeds,nothoroughbeliefinunseenthings,nodesireafterholinessandheaven?Ofall these things the vastmajority of people knowand feel nothing.Themultitudeswalk in the broadway. I cannot forget this. Therefore I sayboldly,Ibelievethatfewpray.

Haveyou forgotten that it isnot fashionable topray? It isoneof thosethingsthatmanywouldberatherashamedtoadmit.Therearehundredswho would rather storm a breach, or lead a forlorn hope then confesspublicly that theymake a habit of prayer. There are thousandswho, ifobligedtosleepinthesameroomwithastranger,wouldliedowninbedwithoutaprayer.Todresswell,togototheaters,tobethoughtcleverandagreeable, all this is fashionable,butnot topray. I cannot forget this. Icannotthinkahabitiscommonwhichsomanyseemashamedtoadmit.ThusIbelievethatfewpray.

Have you forgotten the lives thatmany live?Canwe really believe thatpeopleareprayingagainstsinnightandday,whenweseethemplunginginto it? Can we suppose they pray against the world, when they areentirelyabsorbedandtakenupwithitspursuits?Canwethinktheyreallyask God for grace to serve Him, when they do not show the slightestinteresttoserveHimatall?Oh,no,it isplainasdaylightthatthegreatmajorityofpeopleeitherasknothingofGodordonotmeanwhat theysaywhentheydoask,whichisjustthesamething.Prayingandsinningwillneverlivetogetherinthesameheart.Prayerwillconsumesin,orsinwill chokeprayer. I cannot forget this. I lookatpeople's lives. Ibelievethatfewpray.

Have you forgotten the deaths that many die? How many, when theydrawneardeath,seementirelystrangerstoGod.NotonlyaretheysadlyignorantofHisgospel,butsadlylackinginthepowerofspeakingtoHim.There is a terrible awkwardness and shyness in their endeavors toapproachHim.Theyseemtobetakingupafreshthing.TheyappearasiftheywantanintroductiontoGod,andas if theyhavenevertalkedwithHimbefore.Irememberhavingheardofaladywhowasanxioustohaveaministertovisitherinherlastillness.Shedesiredthathewouldprayfor her.He asked herwhat he should pray for. She did not know, andcouldnot tell.Shewasutterlyunable tonameanyone thingwhichshe

wishedhimtoaskGodforhersoul.Allsheseemedtowantwastheformofaminister'sprayers.Icanquiteunderstandthis.Death-bedsaregreatrevealers of secrets. I cannot forgetwhat I have seen of sick anddyingpeople.Thisalsoleadsmetobelievethatfewpeoplepray.

I cannot see yourheart. I donot knowyourprivatehistory in spiritualthings.ButfromwhatIseeintheBibleandintheworld,IamcertainIcannotaskyouamorenecessaryquestionthanthatbeforeyou—DOYOUPRAY?

IV.PrayerProducesGreatEncouragement

IV. I ASKWHETHER YOU PRAY, BECAUSE PRAYER IS ANACTOFRELIGIONTOWHICHTHEREISGREATENCOURAGEMENT.

ThereiseverythingonGod'sparttomakeprayereasyifpeoplewillonlyattemptit.AllthingsarereadyonHisside.Everyobjectionisanticipated.Everydifficultyisprovidedfor.Thecrookedplacesaremadestraightandtheroughplacesmadesmooth.Thereisnoexcuseleftfortheprayerlessperson.

Thereisawaybywhichanyperson,howeversinfulandunworthy,maydrawnear toGod the Father. Jesus Christ has opened thatway by thesacrificeHemadeforusuponthecross.TheholinessandjusticeofGodneednotfrightensinnersandkeepthemback.OnlyletthemcrytoGodinthenameofJesus,onlyletthempleadtheatoningbloodofJesus,andtheyshall findGoduponthethroneofgrace,willingandreadytohear.The name of Jesus is a never-failing passport for our prayers. In thatname a person may draw near to God with boldness, and ask withconfidence.God has engaged to hear him. Think of this. Is this not anencouragement?

There is an Advocate and Intercessor always waiting to present theprayersof thosewhocometoGodthroughHim.Thatadvocate isJesusChrist. He mingles our prayers with the incense of His own almighty

intercession.Somingled,theygoupasasweetsavorbeforethethroneofGod.Poorastheyareinthemselves,theyaremightyandpowerfulinthehand of our High Priest and Elder Brother. The bank-note without asignature at the bottom is nothing but a worthless piece of paper. Thestrokeof apen conferson it all its value.Theprayerof apoor childofAdamisafeeblethinginitself,butonceendorsedbythehandoftheLordJesus it avails much. There was an officer in the city of Rome whoappointedtohavehisdoorsalwaysopen,inordertoreceiveanyRomancitizenwhoappliedtohimforhelp.Justsotheearof theLordJesus iseveropento thecryofallwhoneedmercyandgrace. It isHisoffice tohelp them. Their prayer is His delight. Think of this. Is this not anencouragement?

ThereistheHolySpiriteverreadytohelpourinfirmitiesinprayer.ItisonepartofHisspecialofficeisassistusinourendeavorstospeaktoGod.Weneednotbecastdownanddistressedbythefearofnotknowingwhattosay.TheSpiritwillgiveuswordsifweseekHisaid.TheprayersoftheLord'speoplearetheinspirationoftheLord'sSpirit,theworkoftheHolySpirit who dwells within them as the Spirit of grace and supplication.SurelytheLord'speoplemaywellhopetobeheard.Itisnotmerelythosewhopray,buttheHolySpiritpleadinginthem.Thinkofthis.Isnotthisanencouragement?

Thereareexceedinggreatandpreciouspromisestothosewhopray.WhatdidtheLordJesusmeanwhenhespokesuchwordsasthese:"Askanditshallbegivenyou;seek,andyoushallfind;knock,andthedoorshallbeopened unto you: for every one that asks, receives; and he that seeks,finds;andtohimwhoknocks,itshallbeopened."(Matthew7:7,8.)"Allthings whatever you shall ask in prayer believing, you shall receive ."(Matthew21:22.)"Whateveryoushallaskinmyname,thatIwilldo,thattheFathermaybe glorified in theSon. If you shall ask anything inmyname Iwill do it." (John 14:13, 14.)Whatdid theLordmeanwhenHespoke the parables of the Friend at Midnight and the ImportunateWidow? (Luke 11:5, 18:1.) Think over these passages. If this is not anencouragementtopray,wordshavenomeaning.

There are wonderful examples in the Scripture of the power of prayer.Nothingseemstobetoogreat,toohard,ortoodifficultforprayertodo.

It has obtained things that seemed impossible and out of reach. It haswonvictoriesover fire,air,earth,andwater.Prayeropenedup theRedSea.Prayerbroughtwaterfromtherockandbreadfromheaven.Prayermade the sun stand still. Prayer brought fire from the sky on Elijah'ssacrifice.PrayerturnedthecounselofAhithophelintofoolishness.PrayeroverthrewthearmyofSennacherib.WellmightMaryQueenofScotssay,"I fear JohnKnox's prayersmore than an army of ten thousandmen."Prayer has healed the sick. Prayer has raised the dead. Prayer hasprocuredtheconversionofsouls."Thechildofmanyprayers,"saidanoldChristiantoAugustine'smother,"shallneverperish."Prayer,pains,andfaithcandoanything.Nothingseemsimpossiblewhenapersonhasthespirit of adoption. "Let me alone," is the remarkable saying of God toMoses when Moses was about to intercede for the children of Israel.(Exodus 32:10.) So long asAbrahamaskedmercy for Sodom, the Lordwent on giving.Henever ceased to give until Abraham ceased to pray.(Genesis18:17-33.)Thinkofthis.Isthisnotanencouragement?

Whatmorecanpeopleneedtoleadthemtotakeanystepinreligion,thanthethingsIhavejusttoldyouaboutprayer?Whatmorecouldbedonetomake the path to the mercy seat easy, and to remove all occasions ofstumbling from the sinnersway?Surely if thedevils inhell had such adoorsetbeforethem,theywouldleapforgladnessandmaketheverypitringwithjoy.

Butwherewill thepersonhide theirheadat the lastwhoneglects suchgloriousencouragements?Whatcanpossiblybesaidforthepersonwho,afterall,dieswithoutprayer?SurelyImayfeelanxiousthatyoushouldnotbethatperson.SurelyImaywellask—DOYOUPRAY?

V.DiligenceinPrayer,theSecretofHoliness

V.IASKWHETHERYOUPRAY,BECAUSEDILIGENCEINPRAYERISTHESECRETOFEMINENTHOLINESS.

Without controversy there is a vast difference among true Christians.

There isan immense intervalbetweentheforemostandthehindermostinthearmyofGod.

They are all fighting the samegood fight buthowmuchmore valiantlysomefightthanothers.TheyarealldoingtheLord'swork;buthowmuchmoresomedothanothers.TheyarealllightintheLord;buthowmuchmore brightly some shine than others. They are all running the samerace; but howmuch faster some get on than others. They all love thesameLordandSavior;buthowmuchmoresomeloveHimthanothers.IaskanytrueChristianwhetherthis isnotthecase.Arethesethingsnotso?

TherearesomeoftheLord'speoplewhoseemneverabletogetonfromthetimeoftheirconversion.Theyarebornagain,buttheyremainbabiesalltheirlives.Youhearfromthemthesameoldexperience.Youremarkin them the same lackof spiritual appetite, the same lackof interest inanything beyond their own little circle, which you remarked ten yearsago. They are pilgrims indeed, but pilgrims like the Gibeonites of old;their bread is always dry andmoldy, their shoes always old, and theirgarments always rent and torn. (Joshua 9:3-15.) I say thiswith sorrowandgrief;butIaskanyrealChristian:isitnottrue?

ThereareothersoftheLord'speoplewhoseemtobealwaysadvancing.They grow like grass after rain; they increase like Israel in Egypt; theypress on like Gideon, though sometimes faint, yet always pursuing.(Judges8:4.)Theyareeveraddinggracetograce,andfaithtofaith,andstrengthtostrength.Everytimeyoumeetthemtheirheartsseemslarger,andtheirspiritualstaturetallerandstronger.Everyyeartheyappeartoseemore,and,andknowmore,andbelievemore,andfeelmoreintheirreligion.Theynotonlyhavegoodworkstoprovetherealityoftheirfaith,but they are zealous of them. They not only do well, but they areunwearied in well doing. They attempt great things, and they do greatthings.Whentheyfailtheytryagain,andwhentheyfalltheyaresoonupagain. And all this time they think themselves poor, unprofitableservants,andfancythattheydonothingatall.Thesearethosewhomakereligion lovely and beautiful in the eyes of all. They wrest praise evenfrom the unconverted and win golden opinions even from the selfishpeopleoftheworld.Itdoesonegoodtosee,tobewiththem,andtohear

them.Whenyoumeetthem,youcouldbelievethatlikeMoses,theyhadjust comeout from thepresenceofGod. (Exodus34:29-35.)Whenyoupartwith them you feelwarmed by their company, as if your soul hadbeennear a fire. I know suchpeople are rare. I only ask: are therenotmanysuch?

NowhowcanyouaccountforthedifferencewhichIhavejustdescribed?What is thereason thatsomebelieversaresomuchbrighterandholierthan others? I believe the difference, in nineteen cases out of twenty,arisesfromdifferenthabitsaboutprivateprayer.Ibelievethatthosewhoarenoteminentlyholypraylittle,andthosewhoareeminentlyholypraymuch.

Idaresaythisopinionwillstartlesomereaders. Ihave littledoubt thatmanylookoneminentholinessasakindofspecialgift,whichnonebutafewmustpretendtoaimat.Theyadmireitatadistanceinbooks.Theythinkitbeautifulwhentheyseeanexamplenearthemselves.Butastoitsbeingathingwithinthereachofanybutaveryfew,suchanotionneverseemstoentertheirminds.Inshort,theyconsideritakindofmonopolygrantedtoafewfavoredbelievers,butcertainlynottoall.

Now I believe that this is a most dangerous mistake. I believe thatspiritual as well as natural greatness depends in a high degree on thefaithfuluseofmeanswithineverybody'sreach.OfcourseIdonotsaywehavearighttoexpectamiraculousgrantofintellectualgifts;butIdosay,thatwhenapersonisonceconvertedtoGod,hisprogressinholinesswillbe much in accordance with his own diligence in the use of God'sappointedmeans. And I assert confidently that the principlemeans bywhichmost believers have become great in the church of Christ is thehabitofdiligentprivateprayer.

Look through the lives of the brightest and best of God's servants,whetherintheBibleornot.SeewhatiswrittenofMosesandDavidandDaniel and Paul. Mark what is recorded of Luther and Bradford theReformers.ObservewhatisrelatedoftheprivatedevotionsofWhitefieldandCecilandVennandBickerstethandMcCheyne.Tellmeofoneofallthegoodly fellowshipof saintsandmartyrs,whohasnothad thismarkmost prominently—they were men of prayer. Depend on it, prayer is

power.

Prayer obtains fresh and continued outpourings of the Spirit.He alonebeginstheworkofgraceinaperson’sheart.Healonecancarryitforwardandmakeitprosper.ButthegoodSpiritlovestobeentreated.AndthosewhoaskmostwillhavemostofHisinfluence.

Prayeristhesurestremedyagainstthedevilandbesettingsins.Thatsinwillneverstandfirmwhichisheartilyprayedagainst.Thedevilwillneverlong keep dominion over us which beseech the Lord to cast forth. ButthenwemustspreadoutallourcasebeforeourheavenlyPhysician,ifHeistogiveusdailyrelief.

DoyouwishtogrowingraceandbeadevotedChristian?Beverysure,ifyouwishit,youcouldnothaveamoreimportantquestionthanthis—DOYOUPRAY?

VI.PrayerandBacksliding

VI.IASKWHETHERYOUPRAY,BECAUSENEGLECTOFPRAYERISONEOFTHEGREATESTCAUSESOFBACKSLIDING.

There is such a thing as going back in religion after making a goodprofession.Peoplemayrunwellforaseason,liketheGalatians,andthenturn aside after false teachers. People may profess loudly while theirfeelingsarewarm,asPeterdid,andthen in thehourof trialdenytheirLord.Peoplemay lose their first loveas theEphesiansdid.Peoplemaycooldownintheirzealtodogood,likeJohnMarkthecompanionofPaul.Peoplemayfollowanapostleforaseason,andlikeDemasgobacktotheworld.Allthesethingspeoplemaydo.

Itisamiserablethingtobeabackslider.Ofallunhappythingsthatcanbefall a person, I suppose it is the worst. A stranded ship, a broken-winged eagle, a garden overrun with weeds, a harp without strings, achurchinruins,allthesearesadsights,butabacksliderisasadderstill.

A wounded conscience—a mind sick of itself—a memory full of self-reproach—a heart pierced through with the Lord's arrows—a spiritbrokenwiththeinwardaccusation—allthisisatasteofhell.Itisahellonearth. Truly that saying of the wise man is solemn and weighty, "Thebacksliderinheartshallbefilledwithhisownways."(Proverbs14:14.)

Nowwhat is the caseofmostbackslidings? Ibelieve, as a general rule,oneof the chief causes isneglectedprivateprayer.Of course the secrethistory of fallswill not be knownuntil the last day. I canonly givemyopinionasaministerofChristandastudentoftheheart.Thatopinions,Irepeat distinctly, that backsliding generally first begins with neglect ofprivateprayer.

Bibles read without prayer; sermons heard without prayer; marriagescontracted without prayer; journeys undertaken without prayer;residenceschosenwithoutprayer;friendshipsformedwithoutprayer;thedaily act of prayer itself hurried over, or gone through without heart:these are the kind of downward steps by which many a Christiandescendstoaconditionofspiritualpalsy,orreachesthepointwhereGodallowsthemtohaveatremendousfall.

ThisistheprocesswhichformsthelingeringLots,theunstableSamsons,thewife-idolizingSolomons,inconsistentAsas,thepliableJehoshaphats,theover-carefulMarthas,ofwhomsomanyaretobefoundinthechurchof Christ. Often the simple history of such cases is this: they becamecarelessaboutprivateprayer.

Youmaybeverysurepeoplefallinprivatelongbeforetheyfallinpublic.Theyarebackslidersontheirkneeslongbeforetheybackslideopenlyintheeyesoftheworld.LikePeter,theyfirstdisregardtheLord'swarningtowatchandpray,andthenlikePeter,theirstrengthisgone,andinthehouroftemptationtheydenytheirLord.(Matthew26:40-75.)

The world takes notice of their fall, and scoffs loudly. But the worldknows nothing of the real reason. The heathen succeeded inmaking awell-knownChristianofferincensetoanidol,bythreateninghimwithapunishmentworsethandeath.Theytriumphedgreatlyinthesightofhiscowardiceandapostasy.Buttheheathendidnotknowthefactofwhich

historyinformsus,thatonthatverymorninghehadlefthisbedchamberhastily,andwithoutfinishinghisusualprayers.

IfyouareaChristianindeed,Itrustyouwillneverbeabackslider.ButifyoudonotwanttobeabackslidingChristian,rememberthequestionIaskyou:DOYOUPRAY?

VII.PrayerandContentment

VII.IASK,LASTLY,WHETHERYOUPRAYBECAUSEPRAYERISONEOFTHEBESTMEANSOFHAPPINESSANDCONTENTMENT.

Weliveinaworldwheresorrowabounds.Thishasalwaysbeenthestatesince sin came in.There cannotbe sinwithout sorrow.Anduntil sin isdriven out from the world, it is vain for any one to suppose they canescapesorrow.

Somewithoutdoubthavealargercupofsorrowtodrinkthanothers.Butfewaretobefoundwholivelongwithoutsorrowsorcaresofonesortoranother. Our bodies, our property, our families, our children, ourrelations,our servants,our friends,ourneighbors,ourworldly callings,each and all of these are fountains of care. Sickness, deaths, losses,disappointments,partings,separations,ingratitude,slander,allthesearecommonthings.Wecannotget through lifewithout them.Somedayorothertheyfindusout.Thegreaterareouraffectionsthedeeperareourafflictions,andthemorewelovethemorewehavetoweep.

Andwhatisthebestmeansofcheerfulnessinsuchaworldasthis?Howshallwe get through this valley of tearswith the least pain? I knownobettermeansthanthehabitoftakingeverythingtoGodinprayer.

This is theplain advice that theBible gives, both in theOldTestamentand the New. What says the Psalmist? "Call upon me in the day oftrouble,and Iwilldeliveryouandyoushall glorifyme." (Psalm50:15.)"CastyourburdenupontheLordandHeshallsustainyou:Heshallnever

suffertherighteoustobemoved."(Psalm55:22.)WhatsaystheapostlePaul? "Be careful for nothing; but in everything, by prayer andsupplication with thanksgiving, let your requests bemade known untoGod. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding shall keepyourheartsandmindsthroughChristJesus."(Philippians4:6,7.)Whatsays the apostle James: "Is any afflicted among you? Let him pray."(James5:13.)

ThiswasthepracticeofallthesaintswhosehistorywehaverecordedintheScriptures.This iswhatJacobdidwhenhe fearedhisbrotherEsau.This iswhatMosesdidwhenthepeoplewerereadytostonehiminthewilderness.ThisiswhatJoshuadidwhenIsraelwasdefeatedbeforethemenofAi.ThisiswhatDaviddidwhenhewasindangerinKeliah.ThiswhatHezekiahdidwhenhereceivedtheletterfromSennacherib.ThisiswhatthechurchdidwhenPeterwasputinprison.ThisiswhatPauldidwhenhewascastintothedungeonatPhilippi.

The only way to really be happy in such a world as this, is to be evercastingallourcaresonGod.Itistryingtocarrytheirownburdenswhichsooftenmakesbelieverssad.IftheywilltelltheirtroublestoGod,Hewillenable them to bear them as easily as Samson did the gates of Gaza.(Judges16:3.)Iftheyareresolvedtokeepthemtothemselves,theywillonedayfindthattheverygrasshopperisaburden.

Thereisafriendeverwaitingtohelpus,ifwewillunbosomtoHimoursorrow—a friendwhopitied the poor and sick and sorrowful,whenHewas upon earth—a friend who knows the heart of man, for He livedthirty-three years as amanamongus—a friendwho canweepwith theweepers,forHewasamanofsorrowsandacquaintedwithgrief—afriendwhoisabletohelpus,forthereneverwasearthlypainHecouldnotcure.ThatfriendisJesusChrist.ThewaytobehappyistobealwaysopeningourheartstoHim.OhthatwewerealllikethatpoorChristianslavewhoonlyansweredwhenthreatenedandpunished,"ImusttelltheLord."

Jesus canmake thosehappywho trustHimand callHim,whateverbetheir outward condition. He can give them peace of heart in a prison,contentment in the midst of poverty, comfort in the midst ofbereavements,joyonthebrinkofthegrave.Thereisamightyfullnessin

HimforallHisbelievingmembers—afullnessthatisreadytobepouredoutoneveryonethatwillaskinprayer.Ohthatpeoplewouldunderstandthat happiness does not depend on outward circumstances, but on thestateoftheheart.

Prayercanlightencrossesforus,howeverheavy.ItcanbringdowntooursideOnewhowill helpus tobear them.Prayer canopenadoor foruswhen our way seems hedged up. It can bring down One who will say,"Thisistheway,walkinit."(Isaiah30:21.)Prayercanletinarayofhopewhen all our earthly prospects seem darkened. It can bring downOnewhowill say, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)Prayercanobtainreliefforuswhenthosewelovemostaretakenaway,andtheworldfeelsempty.ItcanbringdownOnewhocanfillthegapinour hearts with himself, and say to the waves within, "Peace, be still."(Mark 4:39.) Oh that people were not so likeHagar in the wilderness,blindtothewelloflivingwatersclosebesidethem.(Genesis21:14-19.)

Iwantyoutobehappy.IknowIcannotaskyouamoreusefulquestionthanthis:DOYOUPRAY?

Andnowitishightimeformetobringthistracttoanend.ItrustIhavebrought before you things that will be seriously considered. I heartilyprayGodthatthisconsiderationmaybeblessedtoyoursoul.

VIII.AdvicetotheUnregenerate

Letmespeakapartingwordtothosewhodonotpray.Idarenotsupposethat all those who read these pages are praying people. If you are aprayerlessperson,suffermetospeaktoyouthisdayonGod'sbehalf.

Prayerlessreader,IcanonlywarnyoubutIdowarnyoumostsolemnly.Iwarnyouthatyouare inapositionof fearfuldanger.Ifyoudie inyourpresentstate,youarealostsoul.Youwillonlyriseagaintobeeternallymiserable. I warn you that all professing Christians you are utterlywithoutexcuse.Thereisnotasinglegoodreasonthatyoucanshowfor

livingwithoutprayer.

Itisuselesstosayyouknownothowtopray.Prayeristhesimplestactinall religion. It is simply speaking toGod. It needs neither learning norwisdomnorbook-knowledgetobegin it. Itneedsnothingbutheartandwill.Theweakest infantcancrywhenhe ishungry.Thepoorestbeggarcanholdout theirhand foralms, anddoesnotwait to find finewords.ThemostignorantpersonwillfindsomethingtosaytoGod,iftheyhaveonlyamind.

It isuseless tosayyouhavenoconvenientplacetopray in.Anypersoncanfindaplaceprivateenough,iftheyaredisposed.OurLordprayedonamountain; Peter on the housetop; Isaac in the field;Nathaniel underthefigtree;Jonahinthewhale'sbelly.Anyplacemaybecomeacloset,anoratory,andaBethel,andbetousthepresenceofGod.

Itisuselesstosayyouhavenotime.Thereisplentyoftime,ifpeoplewillemployit.Timemaybeshort,buttimeisalwayslongenoughforprayer.Danielhadtheaffairsofakingdomonhishands,andyetheprayedthreetimes a day. (Daniel 2:48; 6:10.) David was the ruler over a mightynation,andyethesays,"EveningandmorningandatnoonwillIpray."(Psalm55:17.)Whentimeisreallywanted,timecanalwaysbefound.

Itisuselesstosayyoucannotprayuntilyouhavefaithandanewheart,andthatyoumustsitstillandwaitforthem.Thisistoaddsintosin.Itisbadenoughtobeunconvertedandgoingtohell.Itisevenworsetosay,"Iknowit,butwillnotcryformercy."Thisisakindofargumentforwhichthere isnowarrant inScripture. "Call youupon theLord," says Isaiah,"whileHeisnear."(Isaiah55:6.)"Takewithyouwords,andturnuntotheLord,"saysHosea.(Hosea14:2.)"Repentandpray,"saysPetertoSimonMagus.(Acts8:22.)Ifyouwantfaithandanewheart,goandcrytotheLordforthem.Theveryattempttoprayhasoftenbeenthequickeningofadeadsoul.

Oh, prayerless reader, who and what are you that you will not askanythingofGod?Haveyoumadeacovenantwiththedeadandhell?Areyouatpeacewiththewormandfire?Haveyounosinstobepardoned?Haveyouno fearofeternal torment?Haveyounodesireafterheaven?

Oh that you would awake from your present folly. Oh that you wouldconsideryourlatterend.OhthatyouwouldariseandcalluponGod.Alas,thereisadaycomingwhenmanyshallprayloudly,"Lord,Lord,opentous,"butalltoolate;whenmanyshallcrytotherockstofallonthemandthe hills to cover them, who would never cry to God. (Matthew 25:11;Revelation6:16.)Inallaffection,Iwarnyou,bewarelestthisbetheendofyoursoul.Salvation isverynearyou.Donot loseheaven forwantofasking.

IX.CounseltotheSaints

Let me speak TO THOSE WHO HAVE REAL DESIRES FORSALVATION, but know not what steps to take, or where to begin. Icannotbuthope that somereadersmaybe in this stateofmind,and iftherebebutonesuchImustofferthemaffectionatecounsel.

Ineveryjourneytheremustbeafirststep.Theremustbeachangefromsitting still tomoving forward.The journeyings of Israel fromEgypt toCanaan were long and wearisome. Forty years pass away before theycrossed theJordan.Yet therewas someonewhomoved firstwhen theymarched fromRamah toSuccoth.Whendoesaperson really take theirfirst step in comingout of sin and theworld?Theydo it thedaywhentheyfirstpraywiththeirheart.

Ineverybuildingthefirststonemustbelaid,andthefirstblowmustbestruck. The arkwas onehundred and twenty years in the building. YettherewasadaywhenNoah laidhisaxe to the first treehecutdowntoformit.ThetempleofSolomonwasagloriousbuilding.ButtherewasadaywhenthefirsthugestonewaslaiddeepinmountMoriah.Whendoesthe building of the Spirit really begin to appear in a person's heart? Itbegins,sofaraswecanjudge,whentheyfirstpourouttheirhearttoGodinprayer.

Ifyoudesiresalvation,andwanttoknowwhattodo,Iadviseyoutogothisveryday to theLordJesusChrist, in the firstprivateplaceyoucan

find,andearnestlyandheartilyentreathiminprayertosaveyoursoul.

TellhimthatyouhaveheardthatHereceivessinners,andhassaid,"HimthatcomesuntomeIwillinnowisecastout."(John6:37.)TellHimthatyouareapoorvilesinner,andthatyoucometoHimonthefaithofHisown invitation. Tell him you put yourself wholly and entirely in Hishands:thatyoufeelvileandhelpless,andhopelessinyourself:andthatexceptHesavesyou,youhavenohopeofbeingsavedatall.BeseechHimtodeliveryoufromguilt,thepower,andtheconsequencesofsin.BeseechHimtopardonyou,andwashyouinhisownblood.BeseechHimtogiveyouanewheart,andplanttheHolySpiritinyoursoul.BeseechHimtogiveyougraceandfaithandwillandpowertobeHisdiscipleandservantfromthisdayforever.Oh,reader,gothisveryday,andtellthesethingstotheLordJesusChrist,ifyoureallyareinearnestaboutyoursoul.

Tellhiminyourownway,andyourownwords.Ifadoctorcametoseeyouwhenyouwere sick you could tellhimwhere you feltpain. If yoursoulfeelsitsdiseaseindeed,youcansurelyfindsomethingtotellChrist.

Doubt not His willingness to save you, because you are a sinner. It isChrist's office to save sinners.He saysHimself, "I camenot to call therighteous,butsinnerstorepentance."(Luke5:32.)

Waitnotbecauseyoufeelunworthy.Waitfornothing.Waitfornobody.Waitingcomesfromthedevil.Justasyouare,gotoChrist.Theworseyouare, the more need you have to apply to Him. You will never mendyourselfbystayingaway.

Fearnotbecauseyourprayerisstammering,yourwordsfeeble,andyourlanguagepoor.Jesuscanunderstandyou.Justasamotherunderstandsthe first lispings of her infant, so does the blessed Savior understandsinners.Hecanreadasigh,andseeameaninginagroan.

Despairnotbecauseyoudonotgetananswerimmediately.Whileyouarespeaking, Jesus is listening. IfHe delays an answer, it is only for wisereasons, and to try if you are in earnest. The answer will surely come.Thoughittarry,waitforit.Itwillsurelycome.

Oh, reader, if you have any desire to be saved, remember the advice Ihave given to you this day. Act upon it honestly and heartily, and youshallbesaved.

Letmespeak,lastly,TOTHOSEWHODOPRAY.Itrustthatsomewhoreadthistractknowwellwhatprayeris,andhavetheSpiritofadoption.Toallsuch,Iofferafewwordsofbrotherlycounselandexhortation.Theincenseofferedinthetabernaclewasorderedtobemadeinaparticularway.Noteverykindof incensewoulddo.Letusremember this,andbecarefulaboutthematterandmannerofourprayers.

Brethrenwhopray,ifIknowanythingofaChristian'sheart,youareoftensickofyourownprayers.Youneverenterintotheapostle'swords,"WhenI would do good, evil is present with me." so thoroughly as yousometimes do upon your knees. (Romans 7:21.) You can understandDavid's words, "I hate vain thoughts." (Psalm 119:113.) You cansympathize with that poor converted Hottentot who was overheardpraying,"Lord,delivermefromallmyenemies,andaboveall,fromthatbadman—myself."TherearefewchildrenofGodwhodonotoftenfindthe season of prayer a season of conflict. The devil has special wrathagainstuswhenheseesusonourknees.Yet,Ibelievethatprayerswhichcostusnotrouble,shouldberegardedwithgreatsuspicion.Ibelieveweareverypoorjudgesofthegoodnessofourprayers,andthattheprayerwhich pleases us least, often pleases God most. Suffer me then, as acompanionintheChristianwarfare,toofferafewwordsofexhortation.Onething,at least,weall feel:wemustpray.Wecannotgive itup.Wemustgoon.

I commend then to your attention, the importance of reverence andhumility inprayer.Letusnever forgetwhatweare,andwhatasolemnthingitistospeakwithGod.LetusbewareofrushingintoHispresencewith carelessness and levity. Let us say to ourselves: "I am on holyground.Thisisnootherthanthegateofheaven.IfIdonotmeanwhatIsay,IamtriflingwithGod.IfIregardiniquityinmyheart,theLordwillnothearme." (Exodus3:5;Genesis28:17;Psalm66:18.)Letuskeep inmindthewordsofSolomon,"Donotberashwithyourmouth,andletnotyourheartbehasty toutteranythingbeforeGod; forGod is inheaven,andyouonearth." (Ecclesiastes5:2.)WhenAbrahamspoke toGod,he

said,"Iamdustandashes."WhenJobspoketoGod,hesaid,"Iamvile."Letusdolikewise.(Genesis18:27;Job40:4.)

Icommendtoyoutheimportanceofprayingspiritually.Imeanbythat,thatwe should labor always tohave thedirect help of theSpirit in ourprayers, and beware above all things of formality. There is nothing sospiritualthatitmaybecomeaform,andthisisespeciallytrueofprivateprayer.Wemayinsensiblygetintothehabitofusingthefittestpossiblewords,andofferingthemostscripturalpetitions,andyetdoitallbyrotewithout feeling it, andwalkdaily round anold beatenpath. I desire totouchthispointwithcautionanddelicacy.Iknowthattherearecertainthings we daily want, and that there is nothing necessarily formal inaskingforthesethingsinthesamewords.Theworld,thedevil,andourheartsaredailythesame.Ofnecessitywemustdailygooveroldground.ButthisIsay,wemustbeverycarefulonthispoint.Iftheskeletonandoutline of our prayers be by habit almost form, let us strive that theclothingandfillingupofourprayers,beasfaraspossibleoftheSpirit.Astoprayingofabookinourprivatedevotions,itisahabitIcannotpraise.Ifwecantellourdoctorsthestateofourbodieswithoutabook,weoughttobeable to tell the stateofour souls toGod. Ihavenoobjection toapersonusingcrutcheswhentheyarefirstrecoveringfromabrokenlimb.It isbettertousecrutches,thannottowalkatall.But ifIsawthemalltheir life on crutches, I should not think itmatter for congratulation. Ishouldliketoseethemstrongenoughtothrowtheircrutchesaway.

Icommendtoyoutheimportanceofmakingprayeraregularbusinessoflife. Imight say something of the value of regular times in the day forprayer. God is a God of order. The hours for morning and eveningsacrifice in the Jewish temple were not fixed as they were without ameaning.Disorder iseminentlyoneof thefruitsofsin.ButIwouldnotbringanyunderbondage.ThisonlyIsay,thatitisessentialtoyoursoul'shealthtomakeprayingapartofthebusinessofeverytwenty-fourhoursof your life. Just as you allot time to eating, sleeping, and business, soalsoallottimetoprayer.Chooseyourownhoursandseasons.Attheveryleast, speakwithGod in themorning,beforeyouspeakwith theworld:and speak with God at night, after you have done with the world. Butsettleitinyourminds,thatprayingisoneofthegreatthingsofeveryday.

Donotdriveitintoacorner.Donotgiveitthescrapsandparingsofyourduty.Whateverelseyoumakeabusinessof,makeabusinessofprayer.

Icommendtoyoutheimportanceofperseveranceinprayer.Oncehavingbegunthehabit,nevergiveitup.Yourheartwillsometimessay,"Youwillhave had family prayers:whatmighty harm if you leave private prayerundone?"Your bodywill sometimes say, "You are unwell, or sleepy, orweary; you need not pray." Your mind will sometimes say, "You haveimportantbusiness toattendto today;cutshortyourprayers."LookonallsuchsuggestionsascomingdirectfromSatan.Theyareallasgoodassaying,"Neglectyoursoul."Idonotmaintainthatprayersshouldalwaysbeofthesamelength;butIdosay,letnoexcusemakeyougiveupprayer.Paulsaid,"Continueinprayer"and,"Praywithoutceasing."(Colossians4:2;1Thessalonians5:17.)Hedidnotmeanthatpeopleshouldbealwayson their knees, but he did mean that our prayers should be like thecontinualburned-offering,steadilypreservedineveryday;thatitshouldbe like seedtime and harvest, and summer and winter, unceasinglycoming round at regular seasons; that it should be like the fire on thealtar, not always consuming sacrifices, but never completely going out.Never forget that youmay tie togethermorningandeveningdevotions,byanendlesschainofshortejaculatoryprayersthroughouttheday.Evenin company, or business, or in the very streets, you may be silentlysendinguplittlewingedmessengerstoGod,asNehemiahdidintheverypresence of Artaxerxes. (Nehemiah 2:4.) And never think that time iswastedwhichisgiventoGod.Anationdoesnotbecomepoorerbecauseitloses one year of working days in seven, by keeping the Sabbath. AChristian never finds he is a loser, in the long run, by persevering inprayer.

Icommendtoyoutheimportanceofearnestnessinprayer.Itisnotthataperson should shout, or scream,orbevery loud, inorder toprove thatthey are in earnest. But it is desirable that we should be hearty andferventandwarm,andaskasifwewerereallyinterestedinwhatweweredoing.Itisthe"effectualfervent"prayerthat"availsmuch."(James5:16.)This is the lesson that is taughtusby theexpressionsused inScriptureaboutprayer.Itiscalled,"crying,knocking,wrestling,laboring,striving."Thisisthelessontaughtusbyscriptureexamples.Jacobisone.Hesaid

to the angel at Penuel, "I will not let You go, except You bless me."(Genesis 32:26.)Daniel is another.Hear howhe pleadedwithGod: "OLord,hear;OLord,forgive;OLord,hearkenanddo;defernot,forYourownsake,OmyGod."(Daniel9:19.)OurLordJesusChristisanother.ItiswrittenofHim, "In thedays ofHis flesh,Heofferedupprayers andsupplications with strong crying and tears." (Hebrews 5:7.) Alas, howunlikeisthistomanyofoursupplications!Howtameandlukewarmtheyseembycomparison.HowtrulymightGodsaytomanyofus,"Youdonotreally want what you pray for." Lets us try to amend this fault. Let usknockloudlyat thedoorofgrace, likeMercy inPilgrim'sProgress,as ifwe must perish unless heard. Let us settle it in our minds, that coldprayers are a sacrifice without fire. Let us remember the story ofDemosthenes the great orator, when one came to him, and wanted topleadhiscause.Heheardhimwithoutattention,whilehetoldhisstorywithoutearnestness.Themansawthis,andcriedoutwithanxietythatitwasalltrue."Ah,"saidDemosthenes,"Ibelieveyounow."

I commend to you the importance of praying in faith. We shouldendeavortobelievethatourprayersareheard,andthatifweaskthingsaccordingtoGod'swill,weshallbeanswered.Thisistheplaincommandof our Lord JesusChrist: "Whatever things you desire,when you pray,believe that you receive them, and you shall have them." (Mark 11:24.)Faithistoprayerwhatthefeatheristothearrow:withoutitprayerwillnothit themark.Weshouldcultivate thehabitofpleadingpromises inourprayers.

Weshouldtakewithussomepromises,andsay,"Lord,hereisYourownwordpledged.Do forusasYouhavesaid."Thiswas thehabitofJacobandMosesandDavid.The119thPsalmisfullofthingsasked,"accordingto your word." Above all, we should cultivate the habit of expectinganswers toourprayers.We shoulddo like themerchantwho sendshisshipstosea.Weshouldnotbesatisfied,unlessweseesomereturn.Alas,therearefewpointsonwhichChristianscomeshortsomuchasthis.ThechurchatJerusalemmadeprayerwithoutceasingforPeterinprison;butwhentheprayerwasanswered,theywouldhardlybelieveit.(Acts12:15.)ItisasolemnsayingofRobertTraill,"Thereisnosurermarkoftriflinginprayer,thanwhenmenarecarelesswhattheygetinprayer."

I commend to you the importance of boldness in prayer. There is anunseemlyfamiliarityinsomepeople'sprayerswhichIcannotpraise.Butthere is such a thing as a holy boldness, which is exceedingly to bedesired.ImeansuchboldnessasthatofMoses,whenhepleadswithGodnottodestroyIsrael."Wherefore,"sayshe,"shouldtheEgyptiansspeakand say, ‘For mischief did He bring them out, to slay them in themountains‘?TurnfromYourfierceanger."(Exodus32:12.)Imeansuchboldness as that of Joshua, when the children of Israel were defeatedbeforemenofAi:"What,"sayshe,"willYoudountoYourgreatname?"(Joshua7:9.)ThisistheboldnessforwhichLutherwasremarkable.Onewhoheardhimprayingsaid,"Whataspirit,whataconfidencewasinhisveryexpressions.Withsuchareverencehesued,asonebeggingofGod,andyetwithsuchhopeandassurance,asifhespokewithalovingfatheror friend." This is the boldness which distinguished Bruce, a greatScottish divine of the seventeenth century.His prayerswere said to be"likeboltsshotupintoheaven."HerealsoIfearwesadlycomeshort.Wedo not sufficiently realize the believer's privileges.We do not plead asoftenaswemight,"Lord,arewenotYourownpeople?IsitnotforYourglory that we should be sanctified? Is it not for Your honor that Yourgospelshouldincrease?"

I commend to you the importanceof fullness inprayer. I donot forgetthat our Lordwarns us against the example of the Pharisees, who, forpretense,madelongprayers;andcommandsuswhenwepraynottousevainrepetitions.ButIcannotforget,ontheotherhand,thatHehasgivenHisownsanction to largeand longdevotionsbycontinuingallnight inprayertoGod.Atallevents,wearenotlikelyinthisdaytoerronthesideofprayingtoomuch.Mightitnotratherbefearedthatmanybelieversinthisgenerationpraytoolittle?IsnottheactualamountoftimethatmanyChristiansgivetoprayer,intheaggregate,verysmall?Iamafraidthesequestions cannot be answered satisfactorily. I am afraid the privatedevotionsofmanyarepainfullyscantyandlimited;justenoughtoprovethey are alive and nomore. They really seem to want little from God.They seem to have little to confess, little to ask for, and little to thankHimfor.Alas,thisisaltogetherwrong.Nothingismorecommonthantohearbelieverscomplainingthattheydonotgeton.Theytellusthattheydonotgrowingraceastheycoulddesire.Isitnotrathertobesuspected

thatmany have quite asmuch grace as they ask for? Is it not the trueaccountofmany,thattheyhavelittle,becausetheyasklittle?Thecauseoftheirweaknessistobefoundintheirownstunted,dwarfish,clipped,contracted,hurried,narrow,diminutiveprayers.Theyhavenot,becausethey asknot.Oh,we arenot straitened inChrist, but in ourselves. TheLordsays,"Openyourmouthwide,andIwillfillit."(Psalm8:10.)Butweare like theKing of Israelwho smote on the ground thrice and stayed,whenheoughttohavesmittenfiveorsixtimes.(2Kings13:14-19.)

Icommendtoyoutheimportanceofparticularityinprayer.Weoughtnottobecontentwithgeneralpetitions.Weoughttospecifyourneedsbeforethethroneofgrace.Itshouldnotbeenoughtoconfesswearesinners;weshouldnamethesinsofwhichourconsciencetellsuswearemostguilty.Itshouldnotbeenoughtoaskforholiness;weshouldnamethegracesinwhichwefeelmostdeficient.ItshouldnotbeenoughtotelltheLordweare in trouble; we should describe our trouble and all its peculiarities.This is what Jacob did when he feared his brother Esau. He tells Godexactlywhatitisthathefears.(Genesis32:11.)ThisiswhatEleazardid,when he sought a wife for his master's son. He spreads before Godpreciselywhatheneeds.(Genesis24:12.)ThisiswhatPauldidwhenhehadathornintheflesh.HebesoughttheLord.(2Corinthians12:8.)Thisistruefaithandconfidence.WeshouldbelievethatnothingistoosmalltobenamedbeforeGod.Whatshouldwe thinkof thepatientwho toldhis doctor hewas ill, but neverwent into particulars?What shouldwethink of the wife who told her husband she was unhappy, but did notspecifythecause?Whatshouldwethinkofthechildwhotoldtheirfatherthathewasintrouble,butnothingmore?Christisthetruebridegroomofthesoul,thetruephysicianoftheheart,therealfatherofallHispeople.LetusshowthatwefeelthisbybeingunreservedinourcommunicationswithHim.LetushidenosecretsfromHim.LetustellHimallourhearts.

Icommendtoyoutheimportanceofintercessioninourprayers.Weareall selfishbynature, andour selfishness is very apt to stick tous, evenwhenweareconverted.Thereisatendencyinustothinkonlyofourownsouls, our own spiritual conflicts, our own progress in religion, and toforgetothers.Againstthistendencyweallhaveneedtowatchandstrive,andnottheleastinourprayers.Weshouldstudytobeofapublicspirit.

Weshouldstirourselvesuptonameothernamesbesidesourownbeforethethroneofgrace.Weshouldtrytobearinourheartsthewholeworld,theheathen, theJews, theRomanCatholics, thebodyof truebelievers,the professing Protestant churches, the country in which we live, thecongregationtowhichwebelong,thehouseholdinwhichwesojourn,thefriendsandrelationsweareconnectedwith.Foreachandalloftheseweshouldplead.Thisisthehighestcharity.Theylovemebestwholovesmeintheirprayers.Thisisforoursoul'shealth.Itenlargesoursympathiesandexpandsourhearts.Thisisforthebenefitofthechurch.Thewheelsofallmachineryforextendingthegospelaremovedbyprayer.TheydoasmuchfortheLord'scausewhointercedelikeMosesonthemount,astheywhofight likeJoshuainthethickof thebattle.This is tobe likeChrist.HebearsthenamesofHispeople,astheirHighPriest,beforetheFather.Oh, the privilege of being like Jesus! This is to be a true helper toministers.IfImustchooseacongregation,givemeapeoplethatpray.

Icommendtoyoutheimportanceofthankfulnessinprayer.Iknowwellthat askingGod is one thing and praisingGod is another. But I see socloseaconnectionbetweenprayerandpraiseintheBible,thatIdarenotcall that true prayer in which thankfulness has no part. It is not fornothing thatPaul says, "Byprayer and supplication,with thanksgiving,letyourrequestsbemadeknownuntoGod."(Philippians4:6.)"Continueinprayer,andwatchinthesamewiththanksgiving."(Colossians4:2.)Itisofmercythatwearenotinhell.Itisofmercythatwehavethehopeofheaven.Itisofmercythatweliveinalandofspirituallight.ItisofmercythatwehavebeencalledbytheSpirit,andnotlefttoreapthefruitofourown ways. It is of mercy that we still live and have opportunities ofglorifyingGodactivelyorpassively.Surely these thoughtsshouldcrowdonourmindswheneverwespeakwithGod.Surelyweshouldneveropenour lips inprayerwithoutblessingGod for that freegracebywhichwelive,andforthatlovingkindnesswhichenduresforever.Neverwasthereaneminentsaintwhowasnotfullofthankfulness.Paulhardlyeverwritesan epistle without beginningwith thankfulness.Men likeWhitefield inthe last century, and Bickersteth in our own time, abounded inthankfulness.Oh,reader,ifwewouldbebrightandshininglightsinourday, we must cherish a spirit of praise. Let our prayers be thankfulprayers.

I commend to you the importance of watchfulness over your prayers.Prayer is thepoint inreligionatwhichyoumustbemostofallonyourguard.Here it is thattruereligionbegins;here it flourishes,andhere itdecays.Tellmewhataperson'sprayersare,andIwillsoontellyouthestateoftheirsoul.Prayeristhespiritualpulse.Bythisthespiritualhealthmaybetested.Prayeristhespiritualweather-glass.Bythiswemayknowwhether it is fair or foul with our hearts. Oh, let us keep an eyecontinuallyuponourprivatedevotions.HereistheheartofthematterofourpracticalChristianity.Sermonsandbooksandtracts,andcommittee-meetingsandthecompanyofgoodpeopleareallgoodintheirway,buttheywillnevermakeupfortheneglectofprivateprayer.Markwell theplaces and society and companions that unhinge your hearts forcommunionwithGodandmakeyourprayersdriveheavily.Therebeonyourguard.Observenarrowlywhat friendsandwhatemployment leaveyoursoulinthemostspiritualframe,andmostreadytospeakwithGod.To these cleave and stick fast. If you will take care of your prayers,nothingshallgoverywrongwithyoursoul.

Iofferthesepointsforyourprivateconsideration.Idoitinallhumility.IknownoonewhoneedstoberemindedofthemmorethanIdomyself.But Ibelieve them tobeGod'sown truth, and Idesiremyself andall Ilovetofeelthemmore.

Iwantthetimeswelive intobeprayingtimes.IwanttheChristiansofour day to be praying Christians. I want the church to be a prayingchurch. My Heart's desire and prayer in sending forth this tract is topromoteaspiritofprayerfulness.Iwantthosewhoneverprayedyet,toariseandcalluponGod,andIwantthosewhodopray,toseethattheyarenotprayingamiss.

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