PRAYER. Nature of acceptable Prayer. charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.-20: 3 When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. NATURE OF ACCEPTABLE PRAYER. 531. Devout prayer includes love and obedience to God. .Ps. 37: 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart. Pr. 28: 9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Jn. 9: 31 We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 1 Jn. 3: 22 Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. [See 289.] 535. Acceptable prayer includes faith in God. Heb. 10: 22 Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.-11: 6 Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jam. 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing washall be given him. vering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. [See 293.] 536. True prayer includes submission to God. Ps. 37: 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him. -40: 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Mat. 6: 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. dom come. 10 Thy king Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.26: 39 He went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. from Lk. 22: 41 He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if 377 Nature of acceptable Prayer thou be willing, remove this cup from me. nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Ac. 21: 14 When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. [See 278, 298.] 537. Prayer includes humility, confession, and repentance. 2 Ch. 7: 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.—33: 12 When he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. Ps. 9: 12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. Lk. 18: 13 The publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. [See 124, 356-7, 663.] 538. Prayer includes a supreme regard for God's glory. 1 K. 18: 36 It came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Ps. 25: 11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.-79: 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.-143: 11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. Is. 37: 20 O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only. Dan. 9: 17 O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and Nature of acceptable Prayer. his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 0 my God, incline thine ear, and hear: open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. [See 300, 662.] 539 Acceptable prayer includes a forgiving temper. Mat. 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 12 And forgive un our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Mk. 11: 25 When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But, if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Lk. 23: 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. [See 203.] 540. Prayer includes importunity and perseverance. Gen. 32: 24 Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him, until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh: And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Is. 62: 1 For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, 7 And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Lk. 6: 12 It came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.11; 5 He said unto them. Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves: 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: Nature of acceptable Prayer. the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. 18:1 He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 5 Yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Rom. 12: 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. Ep. 6: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Col. 4: 2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. 1 Th. 3: 10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? —5: 17 Pray without ceasing. [See 514.] 541. Prayer should be offered in Christ's name. Jn. 16: 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Col. 3: 17 Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 542. Prayer implies godly sincerity. Ps. 145: 18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Is. 29: 13 The Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men : 14 Therefore behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people. Jer. 29: 13 Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. [Dt. 4: 29.] Mat. 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. [See 333.] Various postures in - Heard and answered. 543. Prayer implies holy sympathy and compassion. Pr. 21: 13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Is. 58: 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer. 544. Various postures in prayer — (no sitting.) Ex. 9:29 Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S. 1 K. 8: 22 Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven. 2 Ch. 6: 13 (Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven.) Mat. 26: 39 He went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. Mk. 11: 25 When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any. Lk. 22: 41 He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done. Ac. 20: 36 When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 545. Prayer heard and answered· its efficacy. Gen. 18: 32 He said, Oh, let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.-32: 28 He said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God, and with men, and hast prevailed. Hos. 12: 4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him. Ex. 32: 11 Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, |