Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

heard by man, might not be very acceptable to him. What is prayer?

[ocr errors][merged small]

Here it is said, that prayer may be uttered in words, but also that it may be not audibly. expressed. It is, indeed, the inward feeling of desire after the blessings needed. There may be words where there is no prayer, there may be prayer where there are no words. A sigh, a groan, a look, a wish, or a whisper, is as much prayer in the sight of God, as if words were employed. Words are necessary when praying with others, and have advantages when pleading with God alone; but it is encouraging for a sick person to know, that if through weakness of body or any other circumstance he is not able to pray aloud, that he may still pray aright, that the very wish of his heart directed to God, the very desire of a blessing through the mediation of Christ, is prayer. The Psalmist in affliction comforted himself, that all his desire was before God, and his groaning was not hid. And we also read, that the Spirit helpeth our infirmities and maketh intercession within us, though it is with groanings which cannot be uttered. The lips only of pious Hannah moved when she was making her afflictions

and sorrows known unto the Lord. We are told that she spake in her heart, and no voice was heard, and yet she doubtless prayed; and though the prophet Eli could not hear her heart's petition, yet the Lord heard and granted her request by removing her afflictions. Be encouraged therefore to pray with your heart, if you cannot with your voice. And if you are disposed to utter in language the desires of your heart before God, remember that God will not hear you for your much speaking. God does not look at the quantity of words used, nor the manner of putting them together. He knows beforehand what you would say;

"He knows the words we mean to speak,

Ere from the opening lips they break."

Some of the most fervent and effectual prayers recorded in Scripture were remakably short. The publican's was short, "God be merciful to me a sinner." The blind men's petition was short, "Thou Son of David have mercy on us. So was the Canaanitish woman's, "Lord help me." Now these were all very excellent prayers, and prevailed with the Almighty. Surely you can offer a petition like these, and if offered in penitence and faith, they must be successful. Look to the blessed Spirit to help you, to teach you how to pray, and what to pray for, and you will find but little difficulty in addressing the throne of grace; and though if stretched

upon the couch of sickness, or bed of disease, you cannot bend the knee of your body, yet you can bend the heart, and prostrate the soul by the help of God in the divine presence, which is better than all bodily worship, where the soul is not engaged nor the heart humbled.*

Perhaps you already know the Lord. You have previously to this visitaton been a follower of the Lamb, and have not now a Saviour to seek. But you know, that notwithstanding you are justified by the righteousness of Christ, and washed by the Spirit, that there is much to be done ere you enter your final abode in heaven. If through the mercy of God your state is safe, probably your affections are not sufficiently withdrawn from the world. The wise virgins slumber and sleep as well as the foolish, and have need to arise and trim their lamps. It is high time and a proper time, even for you to awake out of sleep, for now is your salvation nearer than when you believed. You have always professed to be dead to the world, but now you must indeed die daily, yea, hourly. "The time is short." The bridegroom is not very far off. "Set your house in order." Wait and watch for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh,

* Such as feel a diffidence or difficulty in offering up their petitions in an audible manner, and who wish for a medium in which to express their desires, will find suitable prayers in various parts of this little volume.

and what is said unto one is said unto all,

watch!

Ye servants of the Lord,

Each in his office wait;

Observant of his heavenly word,
And watchful at his gate.

Let all your lamps be bright,
And trim the golden flame;

Gird up your loins, as in his sight,
For awful is his name.

O happy servant, he

In such a posture found;

He shall, the Lord with rapture see,
And be with honour crown'd.

CHAPTER II.

Afflictions in General.

SCRIPTURE PORTION.

ALTHOUGH affliction cometh not forth out of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; yet man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward, Job. Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, even as the father the son, in whom he delighteth. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though

some strange thing had happened unto you. Then hath no temptation taken you but what is common to man. Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. For unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me. For when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side, without were fightings, within were fears. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake. That no man should be moved by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto, for verily when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation even as it came to pass, and ye know. We are made a spectacle unto the world, and angels, and to men; even unto this present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffetted, and have no certain dwelling-place, being reviled, persecuted; we are made as the filth of the earth, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. Take my brethren, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction. We must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God. They shall put you out of the synagogue, yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service; verily,

« AnteriorContinuar »