between man and man, how much more may we expect it to obtain mercies when used in prayer to God.
The lesson is one which we shaM do well to remember. Itisfarmore easy tebegina habit of prayer than to keep it np. Myriads of professing Christians are regularly tanght to pray when they are yonng, and then gradually leave off the practice as they grow up. Thousands take up a habit of praying for a little season, after some special merey or special affliction, and then litide by little become cold about it, and at last lay it aside. The secret thought comes stealing over men's minds, that "it is no use to pray.'* They see no visible benefit from it. They persuade themselves that they get on just as well with- out prayer. Laziness .and unbelief prevail over their hearts, and at last they altogether "restrain prayer before God." (Job XV. 4.)
Let ns resist this feeling, whenever we feel it rising within IKS. Let us resolve by God's grace, that however poor and feeble our prayers may seem to be, we wiU pray on. It is not for nothing that the Bible tells, us so frequently, to "watch unto prayer," to "pray without ceasing," to " continue in prayer," to " pray always and not to faint," to be "instant in prayer." These ex- pressions all look one way. They are all meant to remind us of a danger and to quicken us to a duty. The time and way in which our prayers shall be answered are matters which we must leave entirely to God. But that every petition which we offer in faith shall certainly be answered, we need not doubt. Let us lay our matters before God again and again, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. The answer
12 BXPosrroRT thoughts.
may be long in coming, as it was in the cases of Hannah and Zacharias. (1 Sam. i. 27 ; Luke i. 13.) But though it tarry, let us pray on and wait for it. At the right time it will surely come and not tarry.
We learn for another thing from these verses, how wide and encouraging are the promises which the Lord Jesus holds out to prayer. The striking words in which they are clothed are familiar to us if any are in the Bible : " Ask, and ye shall receive ; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."— The solemn declaration which follows, appears intended to make assurance doubly sure : " Every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." — The heart-searching argu- ment which concludes the passage, leaves faithlessness and unbelief without excuse : " If ye being evil, 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."
There are few promises in the Bible so broad and unqualified as those contained in this wonderful passage. The last in particular deserves especial notice. The Holy Spirit is beyond doubt the greatest gift which God can bestow upon man. Having this gift, we have all things, life, light, hope, and heaven. Having this gift, we have God the Father's boundless love, God the Son's atoning blood, and full communion with all three Persons of the blessed Trinity. Having this gift, we have grace and peace in the world that now is, glory and honour in the world to come. And yet this mighty gift is held out by our Lord Jesus Christ as a gift to be obtained by prayer ! " Your