(1) Broadly speaking, we do know what we are to pray for — the perfecting of salvation, but we do not know what we are to pray for " as we ought " — according as the need is at the moment ; we know the end, which is common to all prayers, but not what is necessary at each crisis of need in order to enable us to attain this end.
(2) Probably it is true to say that the advanced Christian learns to pray more definitely for spiritual things as he grows in spiritual discernment and sees more distinctly what God's moral will is for himself and others. But there is no similar growth to be expected in the knowledge of what outward gifts will really help or hinder us and others. And it is with his eye chiefly on the outward conditions of the Christian's life that
^ Arch. Alexander,
ROMANS vm. 26 §1
St. Paul here says that we know not what we should pray for as we ought ; aud teaches us that the Spirit " maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." We must be content to recognize, even while we half-ignorantly pray for what we tliink we need, that "all (outward) things work together for good to them that love God." St. Paul had learned that lesson when he himself " besought the Lord thrice " that his great physical trouble might be removed from him, and was refused. The Son of Man Himself prayed only " Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me," and learned in experience that it was not possible. These lessons may suffice to humble any one who grows over-confident that he knows what outward circum- stances are best for himself or his friends or the Church.
Whichever way the wind doth blow, Some heart is glad to have it so; Then blow it east or blow it west, The wind that blows, that wind is best.
My little craft sails not alone;
A thousand fleets from every zone
Are out upon a thousand seas;
And what for me were favouring breeze
Might dash another, with the shock
Of doom, upon some hidden rock.
And so I do not dare to pray
For winds to waft me on my way,
But leave it to a Higher Will
To stay or speed me; trusting still
That all is well, and sure that He
Who launched my bark will sail with me
Through storm and calm, and will not fail,
Whatever breezes may prevail.
To land me, every peril past.
Within His sheltering Heaven at last.
Then whatsoever wind doth blow. My heart is glad to have it so; And blow it east or blow it west, The wind that blows, that wind is best.^
1 Grant, 0 my God, that in uniform equanimity of mind I may receive whatever happens; since we know not what we
^ Caroline Atherton Mason. ROMANS — 6
S2 HOW TO PRAY AS WE OUGHT
should ask, and since I cannot wish for one thing more than another without presumption, and without setting up myself as a judge, and making myself responsible for those consequences which Thy wisdom has determined properly to conceal from me. 0 Lord, I know that I know but one thing ; and that is, that it is good to follow Thee, and evil to offend Thee ! After that, I know not what is better or worse in anything ; I know not what is more profitable for me, sickness or health, wealth or poverty, nor any other of the things of this world. This was a discovery beyond the power of men or angels ; it is veiled in the secrets of Thy providence, which I adore, and which I do not desire to fathom.^
3. Praying under the direction of the Holy Spirit. — There are four very simple lessons that the believer who would enjoy the blessing of being taught to pray by the Spirit of prayer must know.
(1) Let us believe that the Spirit dwells in us. Deep in the inmost recesses of his being, hidden and unfelt, every child of God has the Holy, Mighty Spirit of God dwelling in him. He knows it by faith, the faith that, accepting God's word, realizes that of which he sees as yet no sign. " We receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." As long as we measure our power for praying aright and perseveringly by what we feel or think we can accomplish, we shall be discouraged when we hear of how much we ought to pray. But when we quietly believe that, in the midst of all our conscious weakness, the Holy Spirit as a Spirit of supplication is dwelling within us, for the very purpose of enabling us to pray in such manner and measure as God would have us pray, our hearts will be filled with hope. We shall be strengthened in the assurance, which lies at the very root of a happy and fruitful Christian life, that God has made an abundant provision for our being what He wants us to be. We shall begin to lose our sense of burden and fear and discouragement about praying sufficiently, because we see that the Holy Spirit Himself is praying in us.
(2) Let us beware above everything of grieving the Holy Spirit. If we do, how can He work in us the quiet, trustful, and blessed sense of that union with Christ which makes our prayers well-pleasing to the Father ? Let us beware of grieving