the fruit of the earth. Joel i. 14.-ii. 12. 15, 16, 17. CLX. Upon threatened judgments, and other critical occasions. 1 Kings xxi. 27. Ahab, terrified at God's threatenings against him, fasted.-Ver. 29. God brought not the evil threatened, in his day. xxvi. 6. I will wash mine hands in innocency, so will I compass thine altar. xxxiv. 15. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry: (1 Pet. iii. 12. His ears are open to their prayers.) Ver. 17. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their trou bles. Jonah iii. 5. 7. The king and people of Nineveh, terrified at God's threatenProv. xv. 8. The sacrifice of the wickings against them by Jonah, proclaim a ed is an abomination to the Lord; but fast, and keep it with great strictness. the prayer of the upright is his delight. -Ver. 10. They are saved from destruc--Ver. 29. The Lord is far from the tion. wicked, but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Daniel fasts and prays for the Jews' return from captivity, Dan. ix. 3.-The Jews held a fast on setting out on their return from captivity, Ezra viii. 21. 23. -The Jews having returned from captivity, and restoring the public worship of God, hold a fast, and read the law, Neh. ix. 1. Also, see Jer. xxxvi. 6. The apostles fasted and prayed with the church, before they ordained elders and preachers of the gospel, Acts xiv. 23.-xiii. 2, 3. Devils cast out by fasting and prayer, Matt. xvii. 21. CLXI. Fasts of particular persons held at their own discretion. 2 Sam. xii. 16. David fasted when his child was sick. Ps. xxxv. 13. When they were sick, I humbled my soul with fasting. lxix. 10. I wept and chastened my soul with fasting. cix. 24. My knees are weak through fasting. Matt. ix. 14. John's disciples and the Pharisees fasted often. Mark ii. 18. Christ's disciples fasted, after he was taken from them. 2 Cor. vi. 5.-xi. 27. Luke ii. 37. Anna served God with fastings night and day. Acts x. 30. Cornelius, while he fasted and prayed, was directed by an angel to send for Peter to preach the gospel. 1 Cor. vii. 3. Husband and wife ought not to separate except for a time, to give themselves to fasting and prayer. N. B. Religious fasting is always to be accompanied with prayer, and with all the requisites in which prayer; see, in the following section. PRAYER. CLXII. Persons whose prayer shall be heard. Ps. iv. 3. The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. 1 Tim. ii. 8. I will that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. James v. 16. The prayer of a righteous man availeth much. CLXIII. Of the divine influence, or the Lord, thou wilt prepare their heart, thou Spirit's assistance in prayer. Ps. x. 17. wilt cause thine ear to hear. lxxx. 18. Quicken us, and we will call on thy name. Zech. xii. 10. I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication. xiii. 9. I will refine them as silver is refined, and I will try them as gold is tried, and they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God. Rom. viii. 15. Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Ver. 26, 27. The Spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what to pray for as we ought; but the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the heart knoweth the mind of the Spirit. Gal. iv. 6. Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. and supplication in the Spirit. Jude 20. Praying in the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. xiv. 15. CLXIV. Prayer is to be made in the name of Christ. John xiv. 13. Jesus said, Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do unto you.-Ver. 14. That the Father may be glorified in the Son. xvi. 23, 24. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Col. iii. 17. Whatsoever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. See Heb. iv. 14. 16. Dan. ix. 18. CLXV. Prayer must be made in faith. Matt. xxi. 22. All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. John xv. 7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. In whom [Christ] we Eph. iii. 12. have boldness and access by the faith of him. Heb. iv. 16. Heb. x. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith. xi. 6. He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. James i. 6. Ask in faith nothing wavering. Ver. 7. Luke xii. 29. v. 15. The prayer of faith shall save the sick. Jude 20. CLXVI. With sincerity of heart. Ps. xvii. 1. Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. xxv. 1. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. lxii. 6. Pour out your heart before God; he is a refuge for us. cxlv. 18. The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him in truth. Jer. xxix. 13. The Lord said, Ye shall find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Ver. 14. 2 Chron. xv. 15. Lam. iii. 41. Let us lift up our heart with our hands to God in the heavens. 2 Tim. ii. 22. Call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Heb. x. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, &c. Job xi. 13. CLXVII. With love to God. Ps. xci. 14. The Lord said, Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him.-Ver. 15. He shall call upon me and I will answer him. CLXVIII. With the fear of God. Ps. cxlv. 19. The Lord will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them. CLXIX. With obedience to God. lvi. 6, 7. The sons of the stranger that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant, even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and will make them joyful in my house their sacrifices shall be accepted on of prayer; their burnt-offerings and mine altar. John ix. 31. If any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 1 John iii. 22. Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep that are pleasing in his sight. his commandments, and do those things Prov. xxviii. 9. He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination. CLXX. With humility, confession and turning from sin. 2 Chron. vii. 14. If my people 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 sins, and will heal their land. Ch. vi. 26 to 40. 1 Kings viii. 37 to 50. xxxiii. 12. Manasseh humbled him self, and prayed, and God was intreated. Ver. 13. Ps. ix. 12. God forgetteth not the cry of the humble. x. 17. Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble. Jer. xxxvi. 6, 7. Go read the words of the Lord, in the ears of the people. It may be, they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and fury that the Lord hath pronounced against them. Luke xviii. 9 to 15. See the humble publican's prayer accepted. See more instances of the prayers of penitent, returning sinners heard: Judg. iii, 7, 8, 9. 12. 15.-iv. 1. 3.-vi. 1. 7. 10 to 16.xi. 33. 1 Sam. vii. 4 to 11. 2 Sam. xxiv. 17. 25. Ps. xxxii. 5. Acts ix. 11. Matt. v. 24. Be reconciled to thy broCLXXI. With forgiveness towards men. ther, and then come and offer thy gift. vi. 12. After this manner pray ye, Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.-Ver. 14, 15. For if ye forgive them their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if Isa., ye forgive not men their trespasses, nei ther will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt. xi. 25, 26. Luke vi. 37. Forgive and ye shall be forgiven. Col. iii. 13. 1 Tim. ii. 8. Pray without wrath. CLXXII. With alms and good works. Isa. lviii. 7. Deal thy bread to the hungry, bring the poor that are cast out to thine house, when thou seest the naked cover him, &c.-Ver. 9. Then shall thou call, and the Lord will answer. Acts x. 2. Cornelius, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.Ver. 3, 4. He saw an angel coming unto him, saying unto him, Cornelius, thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. See Prov. xxi. 13. CLXXIII. Prayer must be frequent, fervent, and importunate. Ps. v. 3. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer to thee, and will look up. lv. 17. Evening and morning, and at noon, will I cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice. lxxxvi. 3. Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for I have cried unto thee daily. lxxxviii. 1. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee.-Ver. 9. I have called daily upon thee. Ver. 13. Unto thee have I cried, O Lord; in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. cxvi. 2. He hath inclined his ear unto me; therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. Ver. 13. 17. Acts i. 4. The apostles continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. ii. 42. The primitive Christians continued steadfastly in the apostles docbread, and in prayers. trine and fellowship, and in breaking of ourselves continually to prayer and to vi. 4. The apostles said, We will give the ministry of the word. x. 2. Cornelius prayed to God always. Ver. 31. xii. 5. Prayer was made without ceasing of the church for Peter. Rom. xii. 12. Continue instant in prayer. 2 Thess. v. 7. Pray without ceasing. 1 Cor. vii. 5. Give yourselves to fasting and prayer. Eph. vi. 18. Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplications for all saints. Continue in prayer, and Col. iv. 2. watch in the same. 1 Thess. iii. 10. Night and day praying exceedingly. Heb. v. 7. In the days of his flesh Christ offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears, and was heard. 1 Pet. iv. 7. The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Eph. vi. 18. See more instances, 1 Sam. i. 10. 12. Matt. xxvi. 44. 2 Cor. xii. 7, 8, 9. CLXXIV. Prayers and tears. See Heb. v. 7. in the former section. 2 Kings xx. 2, 3. Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord and wept sore.-Ver. 5. cxix. 147. I prevented the dawning Thus saith the Lord to Hezekiah, I have of the morning, and cried unto thee.heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: Ver. 167. Seven times a day do I praise behold I will heal thee. Isa. xxxviii. thee. Dan. vi. 10. Daniel kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks. Ver. 11. Matt. xxvi. 41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. Luke ii. 37. Anna served God, with fastings and prayers night and day. 1 Tim. v. 5. v. 33. The disciples of John fast often and make prayers. vi. 12. Jesus continued all night in prayer to God. xviii. 1. Jesus spake a parable that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Ch. xi. 5 to 15. 5. Jer. xxxi. 9. They shall come with lead them;, I will cause them to walk in weeping, and with supplications will I a straight way wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born. Ver. 12. See Job xvi. 20. Psal. vi. 7, 8, 9.—xxxix. 12. -xlii. 3, 4.-lvi. 8, 9. Acts. xx. 19. CLXXV. Private prayer. Matt. vi. 6. When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. xiv. 23. Jesus, when he had sent the multitude away, went up unto a moun- elders, gather the children and those tain to pray, and was there alone. Luke that suck the breasts. Let the priests, vi. 12. the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord. xxvi. 36. Jesus saith to his disciples, Sit ye here till I go and pray yonder.Ver. 39. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed. Ver. xlii. 44. Matt. xviii. 19. If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Mark i. 35. In the morning, Jesus rising up a great while before day, went-Ver. 20. For where two or three are out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Luke v. 16. Jesus withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. Ch. ix. 18. Acts x. 9. Peter went up to the house top to pray. Ver. 30. CLXXVI. Public prayer, being a part of public worship. 1 Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold the heaven, and the heaven of hea vens cannot contain thee. Ver. 28-30. Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant: that thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: Hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place; and hear thou in heaven, and forgive. 2 Chron. vii. 12. I have chosen this place to myself, for a house of sacrifice. -Ver. 15. Mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place. Ps. lxxxvii. 2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. cxvi. 18, 19. I will pay my vows unto the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Isa. lvi. 7. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar: for mine house shall be called the house of prayer, for all people. Żech. viii. 21. Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord. Joel i. 14. Call an assembly, gather the elders, and call the inhabitants of the land, unto the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord. Ver. 19. Neh. xi. 17. ii. 15-17. Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Heb. x. 25. Not forsaking the assembling yourselves together as the manner of some is. See instances, Luke i. 10. Acts i. 14.—ii. 4. 46.—iii. 1.—xvi. 13. CLXXVII. Directions concerning the words or expressions to be used in prayer. Eccl. v. 1, 2. Keep thy foot when thou goest into the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to offer the sacrifice of fools. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. Hos. xiv. 2. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord, and say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously; so will we render the calves of our lips. the heathen do. See 1 Kings xviii. 26, 27. Matt. vi. 7. Use not vain repetitions as 1 Cor. xiv. 14. If I pray in an unknown tongue mine understanding is unfruitful.-Ver. 19. In the church I had rather speak five words with my underothers, than ten thousand words in an standing, that by my voice I might teach unknown tongue. CLXXVIII. Of the gestures of body used in prayer. The hands lifted up, spread abroad, spread forth: so prayed Moses, Exod. ix. 29. David, Ps. Ixiii. 4. Solomon, 1 Kings viii. 22. The church, Isa. i. 15. Standing: so prayed Phinehas, Judg. xx. 28. Solomon, 1 Kings viii. 22. The humble publican, Luke x. 11. 13. Kneeling: so prayed Solomon, 2 Chron. vi. 13. Jesus Christ, Luke xxii. 41. Saint Paul, Acts xx. 36.—xxi. 5. Daniel, Dan. vi. 10. Stephen, Acts vii. 60. Peter, Acts ix. 40. See Ps. xcv. 6. Falling on the face: so prayed Moses, Deut. ix. 18. 25. David and the elders, 1 Chron. xxi. 16. Job, Job i. 20. Ezekiel, Ezek. ix. 8. Jesus Christ, Matt. xxvi. 39. Sitting: so prayed David, 2 Sam. vii. God and prayer. See 1 Kings viii. 37, 18. Nehemiali, Neh. i. 4. 38. 2 Chron. vii. 13. Head uncovered, 1 Cor. xi. 4. CLXXIX. The things to be prayed for, being as numerous and various as the gifts of God for the supply of the wants of man, spiritual and temporal, they cannot be fully exhibited under this head. However, a few of the principal of them may be set forth in the following order. CLXXX. The Lord's prayer, as to words, matter and method, affords a good, though brief model of things to be prayed for. Matt. vi. 9. After this manner pray ye, Our Father which art in heaven, &c. CLXXXI. Spiritual blessings; wisdom and grace to be asked. Ps. ix. 12. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. James i. 5. If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, and it shall be given him. 2 Chron. i. 10, 11, 12. See Solomon's prayer for wisdom accepted. Matt. vi. 33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. Luke xi. 13. If ye know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him? Matt. vii. 11. 1 Cor. xii. 31. Covet earnestly the best gifts. xiv. 1. Desire spiritual gifts. Col. iii. 1, 2. Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on earth. Heb. iv. 16. Let us come boldly to the I throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. CLXXXII. For such earthly things as are agreeable to God's will, and with submission to it. Example. Luke xxii. 42. Jesus prayed, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will but thine be done. Matt. xxvi. 39. Not as I will, but as thou wilt. 1 John v. 14. If we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us. Ver. 15. See 2 Sam. vii. 27. James iv. 3. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. CLXXXIII. For daily bread. Maft. vi. 11. Give us this day our daily bread. 1 Tim. iv. 5. Every creature of God is good; it is sanctified by the word of CLXXXIV. For health and deliverance from sickness. 2 Kings xx. 2. Hezekiah prayed to the Lord in his sickness.Ver. 5. Thus saith the Lord [to him], have heard thy prayers, I have seen thy tears; I will heal thee. (Isa. xxxviii. 1.) Ver. 7. Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs-and they took, and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. Job xxxiv. 28. God heareth the cry of the afflicted. Isa. xxvi. 16. Acts xxviii. 6. Publius lay sick of a fever, to whom Paul entered in and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 1 James v. 13-15. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any sick? let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick. 2 Chron. xvi. 12. Asa in his disease sought not to the Lord, but to the phy sicians. CLXXXV. The prayer of the poor heard. Ps. xxxiv. 6. This poor man cried; the Lord heard, and delivered him out of all his distresses. lxxii. 12. God shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper. Job xxxiv. 28. cii. 7. The Lord will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. See Prayers for deliverance from enemies; for Deliverance from trouble. CLXXXVI. Intercessory prayer, prayer for others. or CLXXXVII. For whom we ought to pray. 1 Tim. ii. 1. I exhort that supplications, prayers and intercessions, and giving thanks, be made for all men. CLXXXVIII. For the church of God. Ps. cxxii. 6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Isa. lxii. 6, 7. Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence. Give him no rest till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Matt. ix. 38. Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Eph. vi. 18. Praying always, with all prayer and supplication for all saints. James v. 16. Pray one for another. |