The subjeot of prayer ought always to be interesting to Christians. Prayer is the very life-breath of true Christianity. Here it is that religion begins. Here it flourishes. Here it decays. Prayer is one of the first evidences of conversion. (Acts ix. 11.) Neglect of prayer IB the sure road to a fall. (Matt. xxvi. 40, 41.) Whatever throws light on the subject of prayer is for our soul's health.
Let it then be graven deeply in our minds, that it is jbx more easy to begin a habit of prayer than it is to keep it up. The fear of death, — some temporary prickings of conscience, — some excited feelings, may make a man begin praying, after a fashion. But to go on praying requires faith. We are apt to become weary, and to give way to the suggestion of Satan, that " it is of no use." And then comes the time when the parable before us ought to be carefully remembered. We must recollect that our Lord expressly told us " always to pray and not to faint.''
Do we ever feel a secret inclination to hurry our pray-
eaeSf t>r shorten our prayers, or become careless about
our prayers, or omit our prayers altogether? Let us
be sure, when we do, that it is a direct temptation
from the devil. He is trying to sap and undermine the
▼ery citadel of our souls, and to cast us down to hell.
Xiet us resist the temptation, and cast it behind our
backs. Let us resolve to pray on steadily, patiently,
per^everingly, and let us never doubt that it does us
good. However long the answer may be in coining, still
let us pray on. Whatever sacrifice and self-denial it
may cost us, still let us pray on, " pray always," — " pray
s