X. PRAYER AND PRAISE.

Prayer and Praise-Duty of, and invitation to-Promises and encouragements-Manner of performingDivine assistance necessary — Advocacy of ChristSubjects of.

1. How does God require us to worship Him?

Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (50 P. 14, 15.)

2. How does Christ command and encourage us to pray?

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (11 Lk. 9.) 3. Did the Psalmist resolve to pray frequently?

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray. (55 P.1′′. 4. Must we continue in prayer and praise?

Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. (18 Lk. 1.)
Continuing instant in prayer. (12 Ro. 12.)

Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I. Thes. 5. 17, 18.)

5. How did the Psalmist invite others to join in the work of praise?

O come let us sing unto the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. (95 P. 1,2.)

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, because his mercy endureth for ever. (118 P. 1.)

6. Did the apostle exhort the Ephesians to abound

in praise?

Be filled with the Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (5 Eph. 18, 19, 20.)

7. Should all unite in praising God?

Praise our God all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. (19 Rev. 5.)

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. (150P.6.)

8. Does God know our wants before we pray to him?

Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. (6 Mt. 8.)

9. Does he yet require our prayers?

Thus saith the Lord God: I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them. (36 Ez. 37.)

10. How does God encourage us to call on him?

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them. (145 P. 18, 19.)

This is the confidence that we have in him, that any thing according to his will, he heareth us. know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (I. Jn. 5. 14, 15.)

11. What promise has Christ given to encourage prayer?

All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (21 Mt. 22.)

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12. Are we to pray in the name of Christ?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, 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. (16 Jn. 23, 24.)

Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (3 Col. 17.)

13. Does the sympathy of Christ, as our High Priest, encourage our confidence in prayer?

We have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (4 Heb. 15, 16.)

14. What did God say of Saul's prayer at his con

version?

Behold he prayeth! (9 Ac. 11.)

15. Must watchfulness be joined to prayer?

Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation. (26 Mat. 41.)

Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving. (4 Col. 2.)

Watch unto prayer. (I. Pet. 4. 7.)

16. What is our duty in affliction?

Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. (5 Jas. 13.)

17. What should be our employment when cheerful? Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. (5 Jas. 13.)

18. Will God reject those prayers that arise from improper motives?

Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss. (4 Jas 3.)

19. How do hypocrites worship God?

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. (15 Mt. 8.-29 Is. 13.)

20. Will God regard the prayer of those who continue sinful and disobedient?

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. (66 P. 18.)

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (28 Pr. 9.)

21. How did Christ recommend private prayer ?

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. (6 Mt. 6.)

22. Does the spirit of prayer come from God?

I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications; and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn. (12 Zec. 10.)

23. How did the disciples ask Christ's instruction in prayer?

Lord, teach us to pray. (11 Lk. 1.)

24. Is the Holy Spirit's influence necessary in prayer?

Praying in the Holy Ghost. (Jd. 20)

25. What prayer is successful?

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man, availeth much. (5 Jas. 16.)

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26. Is praise a delightful employment?

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name O Most High; to shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. (92 P. 1, 2.)

27. Is it our duty to pray for Kings and all that are in authority?

I exhort, therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions and 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; for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. (I. Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3.)

28. Are we to pray for the prosperity of Christ's

cause?

Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (9 Mt. 38.)

29. Was the apostle Paul anxious for the prayers of his fellow christians?

Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified. (II. Thes. 3. 1.)

30. Does prayer for others return in blessings on ourselves?

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. (42 Job. 10.)